My Mac is constantly bugging me to install OS updates. Same with my iPad and my iPhone. Apple gives you no option to skip the updates. The only way to avoid the constant carping is to allow Apple to do the update automatically, which is not by any means having control of your own devices.

This is just simply untrue. Go to System Settings, General, Software Update, then click on the "i" next to Automatic. Turn off "Check for updates".

Your suggestion doesn't solve the problem. I want to know about updates without being forced to install them to avoid being badgered. AFAIK that's not possible.

> My Mac is constantly bugging me to install OS updates. Same with my iPad and my iPhone. Apple gives you no option to skip the updates. The only way to avoid the constant carping is to allow Apple to do the update automatically, which is not by any means having control of your own devices.

I've re-read what you wrote several times, and I can't help but come to the same conclusion that the problem you're reporting is related to "constantly bugging" and "Apple gives you no option to skip the updates". Turning off the updates solves both of these.

Now you say you want the harping, but don't want the automatic updates. That's easy: "Check for updates" is on, "Install macOS updates" is off, "Install Security Responses and system files" is off. Now you'll be alerted but the updates won't happen automatically.

I'm not sure if you really couldn't figure this out, or if you're just venting a bit, so I'm happy to give the benefit of the doubt. Either way, now you'll have exactly what you want :)

I think GP wants to have the notifications, and have the option to "skip and don't bother me again with this version", instead of having the same OS upgrade notification popping up every once a while.

It seems like a valid use case (except it goes against Apple's policy of encouraging people to upgrade), but awfully awkward in the context of disputing "(Mac) doesn't bother me for anything and lets me do what I want".

There’s no OS way to do this, but you can certainly kill all the nagging and find out or subscribe to updates through other means.

Idk what you tried, but it's never bothered me. I went out of date without realizing.

Yet you can't upgrade it, install any non approved software you want, repair it by yourself...

Assuming we're talking about the Mac, which "non approved software" can you not install? I have brew and ports installed and can install tons of stuff. I was even looking into macFUSE to enable NFS but didn't end up finishing the setup. It requires unlocking some parts of the OS and I didn't feel comfortable doing that right now.