Disable Automatic Updates on El Capitan

To disable automatic updates on OS X El Capitan (10.11), open System Preferences, click App Store, and uncheck all four boxes under “Automatically check for updates,” “Download newly available updates in the background,” “Install app updates,” and “Install system data files and security updates.” This stops the system from downloading or installing updates without your explicit approval, giving you full control over when and what gets installed.

Why You Might Want to Disable Updates

El Capitan was released in 2015, and while Apple has long since moved on to newer macOS versions, many users still run it on older Macs for compatibility or stability reasons. Automatic updates can be disruptive: they may install without warning, change system behavior, or introduce bugs that affect older hardware. Some users also have limited bandwidth or prefer to review updates manually before applying them. Disabling automatic updates does not stop you from checking for updates manually—it simply turns off the background processes that download and install them on their own.

How Automatic Updates Work in El Capitan

In El Capitan, the App Store pane in System Preferences controls all update behavior. The four checkboxes correspond to distinct functions:

• Automatically check for updates – The system periodically contacts Apple’s servers to see if new updates exist.
• Download newly available updates in the background – Updates are downloaded to your Mac without asking, so they are ready to install later.
• Install app updates – Updates for apps purchased from the App Store are installed automatically.
• Install system data files and security updates – Critical system updates and security patches are installed automatically, even if you haven’t approved them.

There is also a separate option for OS X updates, but in El Capitan it is not a separate checkbox—it’s tied to the system data files and security updates option. If you uncheck all four, the Mac will not check, download, or install anything on its own.

Step-by-Step: Disabling Updates

1. Click the Apple menu (top-left corner) and select System Preferences.
2. Click App Store (it’s in the first row, near the top).
3. In the window that opens, look for the section labeled Automatically check for updates.
4. Uncheck all four boxes: Automatically check for updates, Download newly available updates in the background, Install app updates, and Install system data files and security updates.
5. Close System Preferences. Your changes are saved immediately.

If you later want to re-enable updates, simply go back and check the boxes you want. You can also check for updates manually at any time by opening the App Store app and clicking the Updates tab.

What Happens After You Disable

Once disabled, your Mac will no longer ping Apple’s servers for updates in the background. You will not see update notifications, and nothing will download without your action. However, this also means you won’t get security patches automatically, which can leave your system vulnerable to known exploits. If you use El Capitan for everyday tasks, it’s wise to check for updates manually every few weeks, especially if you browse the web or handle sensitive data. The system will still show a badge on the App Store icon if updates are available when you open the app, but it won’t download them.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

A frequent misconception is that unchecking “Automatically check for updates” also stops the Mac from checking for app updates. It doesn’t—the other three boxes control app and system data downloads. Another issue: some users uncheck only the first box and still see updates installing. That happens because the other three boxes remain checked. To fully stop automatic behavior, you must uncheck all four. Also note that El Capitan does not have the “Install macOS updates” checkbox that appears in later versions (macOS Sierra and newer). In El Capitan, the system data files and security updates box covers both system and security updates.

Alternatives to Full Disabling

If you don’t want to turn off everything, you can leave “Automatically check for updates” checked and uncheck only the download and install boxes. That way, you’ll see a notification when updates are available, but nothing downloads or installs without your click. This is a good middle ground for users who want to stay informed but retain control. Another option is to use the App Store’s Updates tab manually—checking it whenever you want to see what’s new. For advanced users, the softwareupdate command in Terminal can also be used to manage updates, but the GUI method is simpler for most people.

Is It Safe to Disable?

Disabling automatic updates is safe in the sense that it won’t break your system or cause data loss. The risk is purely security-related: without updates, known vulnerabilities remain unpatched. If you use El Capitan offline or in a controlled environment (like a dedicated machine for legacy software), disabling updates is a reasonable choice. But if you use the Mac online, especially for banking or email, you should at least keep security updates enabled. There’s no cost to disabling—it’s a free setting change—but the long-term cost could be a compromised system if you never update manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling updates stop all downloads?

Yes, unchecking all four boxes stops the system from downloading any updates in the background. However, other apps (like Safari or Adobe Flash) may have their own update mechanisms that are separate from the App Store. Those would need to be disabled individually.

Can I still update manually after disabling?

Absolutely. Open the App Store app, go to the Updates tab, and click “Update” next to any available item. The system will download and install only what you explicitly choose.

Why is there no “Install macOS updates” option?

That option was introduced in macOS Sierra (10.12). In El Capitan, system updates are controlled by the “Install system data files and security updates” checkbox. If you uncheck that, OS X updates will not install automatically.

Will disabling updates affect app updates from the Mac App Store?

Yes, if you uncheck “Install app updates,” apps downloaded from the Mac App Store will no longer update automatically. You can still update them manually from the Updates tab.

How do I know if an update is available after disabling?

You won’t get notifications, but you can check manually by opening the App Store and clicking the Updates tab. The tab will show a number badge if any updates are available.

Is it better to disable or leave updates on?

It depends on your needs. For most users, leaving updates on is safer because it patches security holes. If you have a specific reason to disable—like avoiding a known buggy update or preserving bandwidth—disabling is fine as long as you remember to check manually.

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