Software updating programs builtin to macOS Big Sur

Solution 1:

There is no mechanism in macOS to keep all software up to date. So you need to consider other mechanisms.

My list:

• Obviously the Apple App Store.

• Mac Updater alerts me (and helps install) updates to nearly all the apps I have installed. This is the biggest improvement to app updating I have come across for a long time.

• To check on the state of Apple macOS updates (particularly firmware, Gatekeeper, XProtect, etc.) I find Silent Knight to be invaluable. It obviates the need to manually run /usr/sbin/softwareupdate.

• Users of HomeBrew (package manager for Unix/Linux apps) will use brew update. And users of other package managers will need to use their update methods.

• Adobe users find it hard to avoid the Adobe (Creative Cloud) updater - it is somewhat intrusive in my view.

Solution 2:

macOS is designed to prompt users to update as needed. Most users do not need to manually update their system or included software. See Apple's How to update the software on your Mac for authoritative advice:

Use Software Update to find and install updates for macOS, built-in apps like Safari, and apps downloaded from the App Store.

To further simplify applying updates, Apple recommends enabling Automatically keep my Mac up to date. in the Software Update settings.