Why Mac app updates are confusing—and how I handle them

Mac updates illustration

Ever feel sure a Mac app should have an update, yet the App Store shows nothing and the app itself nags you later? That mismatch is normal—and frustrating. Here’s a clear breakdown of why Mac app updates feel chaotic and the practical routine I use to stay updated without stress.

The real reason Mac app updates feel messy

macOS mixes several update systems. Unlike iOS or Windows, there’s no single dashboard that shows everything.

The App Store assumption

Apple’s official path is the App Store. The flow is simple, but many Mac apps skip it because:

Developers avoid App Store review rules.
Corporate or developer tools aren’t eligible.
They run their own licensing or subscriptions.

So the App Store alone will never cover all of your apps.

Why nothing appears in the App Store

The most common complaint is “I opened the App Store and there were no updates.”

Common causes

You installed the direct-download version, not the App Store build.
The vendor ships separate App Store and website versions under the same name.
Background cache glitches (rare).

Anything downloaded from the developer’s site is invisible to the App Store. If you don’t realize that, you keep wondering why updates never show.

The Homebrew world

If you use your Mac for development, Homebrew probably manages a lot of your tools—and sometimes even GUI apps. Its update channel is completely separate.

Homebrew basics

Bulk updates from the terminal.
Covers CLI tools and some GUI apps.
You must check and trigger updates yourself.

Anything installed via Homebrew never surfaces in the App Store, splitting your update checks even further.

Built-in updaters (Sparkle and friends)

Plenty of Mac apps ship their own updater. Sparkle is common, but many developers roll custom systems.

How built-in updaters work

You see the prompt when you launch the app.
It looks automatic but still needs your approval.
It’s separate from both the App Store and Homebrew.

From the user side, this is where “I don’t know where to check” really kicks in.

There is no “update everything” magic button

When you map the whole landscape, one conclusion stands out: macOS has no official, universal updater for every app.

That’s not (only) about Apple being difficult—it’s about macOS prioritizing:

Developer freedom
Multiple distribution models
Both corporate and personal use cases

The trade-off: you manage updates yourself.

My practical routine (split management)

Chasing a perfect one-stop updater is exhausting. I keep it simple by assigning roles to each channel.

App Store as the “official” lane

Open the App Store about once a week.
Expect Apple apps and a few from trusted vendors—nothing more.

Homebrew for dev tools

Run brew update && brew upgrade on a schedule.
Keep it focused on CLI and dev-related packages.

Built-in updaters for GUI apps

Trust the prompt when the app launches.
For always-on apps, open their settings monthly to catch missed notices.

This division of labor removes the “where do I look?” guessing game.

Summary

Mac app updates feel confusing because App Store, Homebrew, and built-in updaters are separate by design. Treat them as different lanes: App Store weekly, Homebrew on a schedule, built-in updaters when prompted. It’s not perfect, but it’s the least stressful way to keep your Mac apps current.