Mac OS X: Find and install updates with Terminal - how it works

To keep your Mac up to date, you can also search for and install the necessary updates for OS X via the terminal. You can find out how it works here:

1. Check for Mac updates via the terminal

All subsequent actions take place in the so-called terminal. To open it, do the following:

• Open "Programs" -> "Utilities" -> "Terminal.app" or enter the term "Terminal" in the Spotlight search window.
• To display the available updates, enter the following in the terminal: "sudo softwareupdate -l" (alternatively "sudo softwareupdate --list") - complete the entry with [Enter].
• Now enter your password and confirm again with the [Enter] key. Depending on the scope of the update, it may take some time until the result is displayed.

Install all updates for Mac OS X from the console

To install all available updates, use the following command:

1. "sudo softwareupdate -i -a" followed by [Enter].
2. If necessary, enter your password again and confirm again with the [Enter] key.

Install recommended Mac OS X updates from the terminal

If you only want to install the recommended updates, enter the following in the terminal:

1. "sudo softwareupdate -i -r" followed by [Enter].
2. If necessary, enter your password again and then confirm with the [Enter] key.

Read here how to update iTunes.