> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.philsimon.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# An Easy Way to Keep Your Mac Apps Up to Date
- URL: https://www.philsimon.com/keep-your-mac-apps-up-to-date/
- Published: 2026-01-13T12:42:55.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-26T12:29:24.000Z
- Description: This app for your apps saves you time and minimizes the security risks that dated software poses.
- Author: Phil Simon
- Tags: Macs, Apple, Security, Notion, Productivity, Claude, AI

Since [switching to a Mac in 2010](https://www.philsimon.com/my-mac-transition-part-ii-getting-stronger/), I've met dozens of folks who thought they could get more out of their Apple computers. A few years ago, I began offering an hourly service in that vein. 

My [Mac Power Hour](https://www.philsimon.com/services-mac-power-hour/) hasn't taken the world by storm, but the people who've signed up for it have been pleased. (Because we move pretty fast, I always record the sessions for future viewing.)

## Sign up for Simon Says

Weekly insights on AI, workplace tech, and more.

SUBSCRIBE 

Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. 

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

At the end of every year, I update my list of preferred apps and recommendations. (Readers of this site and my books know that I generally avoid the word *stasis*.) Exhibit A: I dropped CleanMyMacX in 2023 because it caused me more headaches than I care to discuss here. [Claude](https://www.philsimon.com/why-im-all-in-on-claude/), [Notion](https://notion.grsm.io/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com), and [Raycast](https://raycast.com/?via=philsimon&ref=philsimon.com) remain firmly at the top of my list, but a new one made the cut during my app 2025 review. 

## Staying Current

Keeping all of your Mac apps updated with their latest versions is a pain in the ass. That reality doesn't make the task any less important. Running a legacy version of an application does more than just prevent you from benefiting from its latest bells and whistles. You expose yourself to security vulnerabilities. 

You'd think that all software vendors would clearly alert their users and customers when their products have shipped new versions. And you'd be spectacularly wrong. Many vendors make updating their apps obvious with a visible red badge. Todoist is a case in point.

Others, however, obscure this critical fact. (Hello, Notion.) Of course, you can open individual apps and manually update them, but the process is time-consuming and often frustrating. 

⌨️

Hitting “⌘ + ,” will almost always take you to an app's preferences. Unfortunately, however, there's no **native*, universal way on your Mac to update all of your apps. Each app makes users follow a bespoke process.

## Exploring a Solution

In 2025, I played with an open-source app designed to solve this very problem: [Latest](https://max.codes/latest/?ref=philsimon.com). In a word, *meh*. It neglected to inform me that key apps needed updates, including [the Brave browser](https://brave.com/?ref=philsimon.com). Not that long ago, I stumbled upon [Updatest](https://updatest.app/?ref=philsimon.com) and ditched Latest. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/12/image2.jpeg)

Image Source: [Updatest](https://updatest.app/?ref=philsimon.com)

Updatest doesn't catch *all* your apps in need of updates, but its batting average far exceeds that of Latest. I reached out to its support team. Here's its response.

Updatest detects updates programatically, not manually. This means we rely on sources for your apps like Brew, MAS CLI, GitHub, Sparkle, and Electron. If none of these sources display \[sic\] an update, Updatest cannot show you an update for the app. 

I'm currently experimenting with Homebrew commands that *should* reduce the number of apps that require manual updates. Here's the one for Notion: 

```HTML
brew install --cask --force notion-app
```

Updatest is currently in beta with a 14-day free trial. Based on my early success with it, I've purchased a lifetime license and have added it to my power hour. 

[CHECK IT OUT](https://updatest.app/?ref=philsimon.com)