Some Macs Auto-Updating to macOS Sonoma Without User Permission

Over the past few weeks, some Mac users have complained that their computer automatically upgraded itself from macOS Ventura to the latest macOS Sonoma release, even with the automatic updates setting turned off.

sonoma desktop wwdc
There are widespread complaints about this issue across the Apple Support Community, MacRumors Forums, Reddit, X, and other websites.

In most cases, it appears that affected users received a desktop notification alerting them that macOS Sonoma was an available software update. However, despite dismissing the notification and having automatic updates turned off, affected users said their Mac proceeded to install macOS Sonoma regardless. Apple began showing the notification to users on January 10, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.

The underlying cause of the issue is unclear, and an Apple spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It is possible to downgrade a Mac to an older macOS version by using a bootable installer to erase and install the older version and then restoring your data from a Time Machine backup. Always make sure to back up your data before downgrading a Mac.

To review your Mac's update settings, open the System Settings app, click General → Software Update, and click the info symbol next to Automatic Updates.

We will update this report if new information becomes available.

Related Forums: macOS Ventura, macOS Sonoma

Popular Stories

Golden Apple Logo

Every Apple Secret That Leaked Wednesday

Thursday August 14, 2025 4:13 am PDT by
Apple made a major slip Wednesday when it accidentally included hardware identifiers in software code linking to numerous unannounced products. The leaked information provided MacRumors with concrete evidence of Apple's hardware development across multiple product categories. Here's everything that was confirmed through the code discoveries: New HomePod mini with updated chip – New...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Pro to Start at $1,049 With Doubled Base Storage

Wednesday August 13, 2025 1:45 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Pro will have a starting price that is $50 more than the iPhone 16 Pro but it will come with a minimum 256GB of storage, doubling the base capacity compared to last year's model. The information comes from Chinese leaker Instant Digital, posting on Weibo. The account, which has 1.5 million followers, has now made the claim three separate times in recent weeks....
ios 26 liquid glass lock screen beta 6

Apple Changes Liquid Glass Again in iOS 26 Beta 6

Monday August 11, 2025 12:09 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to tweak the way that the Liquid Glass design looks ahead of the iOS 26 launch, and the latest beta makes a change to the Lock Screen. The Lock Screen clock has been updated with additional transparency, allowing more of the background to peek through. Beta 6 on left, beta 5 on right The clock also has more of a 3D, floating look, which is in line with the rest of the ...
iPhone 17 Pro Feature Dual

When Will Apple Announce the iPhone 17 Event?

Tuesday August 12, 2025 12:46 pm PDT by
It is now mid-August, meaning that Apple's annual iPhone event is just around the corner. This year, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17, the all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Here are some of the key rumors for those devices:iPhone 17: Same design as iPhone 16, but with an A19 chip, a larger 6.3-inch display, an upgraded 24-megapixel front camera, ...
maxresdefault

Top 5 Features Coming to the Apple Watch Ultra 3

Tuesday August 12, 2025 11:48 am PDT by
We're just about a month away from Apple's annual September event, and we're going to get a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time since 2023. There are some useful new features rumored for the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which we've summarized below. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Satellite Connectivity - The Apple Watch Ultra 3 will be the first...
iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

Alleged iPhone 17 Pro Chassis Offers First Look at All-Aluminum Body

Thursday August 14, 2025 3:40 am PDT by
An alleged iPhone 17 Pro production leak may provide a first look at the device's milled all-aluminum chassis, which this year includes the camera bump – in contrast to last year's iPhone 16 Pro model that features a glass camera module attached to an all-glass back panel. Originally shared by leaker Majin Bu, the image below could be of a moulding, but it still lines up with rumors that...
Apple TV 2025 Thumb 2

New Apple TV Coming Later This Year With A17 Pro Chip

Wednesday August 13, 2025 5:29 pm PDT by
Rumors suggest that Apple is working on an updated version of the Apple TV that's slated for launch later this year. Information about the upcoming device that was found in Apple code indicates that it will be equipped with the A17 Pro chip. There have been multiple rumors about a new Apple TV coming in 2025 with a new A-series processor, but it hasn't been clear which chip Apple would use...
Generic iOS 18

Apple Says iOS 18.6.1 is Coming Today

Thursday August 14, 2025 7:29 am PDT by
In case you missed it — this is the post for people who mainly only read headlines — Apple has announced that it will be releasing iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 later today. Apple shared this information in a press release on its Newsroom website. The software updates will re-enable the Blood Oxygen feature on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 models sold in the United States....
Tim Cook Apple Park

Apple Launching These 10+ New Products Later This Year

Tuesday August 12, 2025 11:08 am PDT by
While the summer months are often relatively quiet for Apple, the company still has many new products coming later this year. Below, we have outlined at least 10 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. This article was originally published last month, and it has been updated with the latest rumors. iPhone 17 Series iPhon...

Top Rated Comments

Bokito Avatar
20 months ago
This is very bad for businesses. We haven’t upgraded yet because a single application isn’t compatible yet. For 99% of the users I don’t think the Sanoma update causes problems, but for some it will. Hopefully Apple ads an easy way to revert to a previous macOS. It isn’t that hard.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0339327 Avatar
20 months ago
Had this happen to me during a standard restart. VERY VERY displeased. I didn’t even bother complaining because Apple doesn’t care.

They have lost all moral high ground with their quest for money and power.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DJLC Avatar
20 months ago
Meanwhile, I can't get automatic updates to work even when I want them! I always have to manually "Update Now."

Apple's software QA really has fallen off a cliff.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bierre Avatar
20 months ago
Happened to me twice yesterday, the system recommended me to update to Sonoma with a notification hinting new stuff coming with it. But even if you dismissed the notification it would then ask for your password without explicitly saying you were actually going to install it. It's annoying because if you're in the middle of something you would not think that the system is trying to install it and you would type in your password. It's a risky operation especially for audio engineers that rely on lots of softwares.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ryterbandmusic Avatar
20 months ago
This happened to me last month in my music studio. I still wonder if it might have been user error, and I just didn't realize. In any case, it SUCKED. Time Machine restore on an 8TB drive took forever, and my main user account has been funky ever since. Had to create a new user last week to rectify. If this is happening because of a bug, that's very frustrating. It should be effortless and intuitive to avoid major updates. The livelihood of working professionals is partially dependent on insuring that there are no unwanted upgrades/updates. It can totally break a system (as it did for me).
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
20 months ago
The Vision Pro goes on-line February 2, 2024. Human decisions are removed from software updates. Siri begins to learn at a geometric rate. She becomes self-aware at 2:14 a.m. Eastern time, February 29th. In a panic, they try to pull the lightning cable.



Attachment Image
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)