Providing access to Apple software updates from Jamf Pro’s Self Service

For shops that want to help their customers stay on top of Apple software updates without forcing those updates to be applied, there is a convenient URL that can be used:

macappstore://showUpdatesPage

When this URL is called from the command line using the open command, the following actions take place:

1. The App Store application launches
2. The Updates page loads.
3. The Mac automatically checks for Apple OS updates and updates for applications purchased through the Mac App Store (MAS).

The relevant command is shown below and can be run without root privileges:

open macappstore://showUpdatesPage

For folks using Jamf Pro (the management solution formerly known as Casper), this command can be leveraged to provide a way for customers to easily check for Apple and MAS software updates on their own schedule. For more details, see below the jump.

As an example of how this can be used, a Self Service policy can be built which uses the command referenced above.

• Frequency: Ongoing
• Trigger: None
• Make the policy available In Self Service
• Actions:
  • Execute command:

    open macappstore://showUpdatesPage
    

Once built, the policy should be available in Self Service for your customers to access.

Please see below for what the process should look like from the customer’s perspective.