Hotspots and data

Stop Software Update downloading on a hotspot

macOS can download updates on its own. On a hotspot this can use gigabytes. Turn off automatic downloads while you tether, then update later.

Applies to: macOS 13 Ventura and later for System Settings > General > Software Update. The softwareupdate command is in all current macOS versions.Checked: 29 October 2026

Symptoms

Hotspot data goes down fast, and softwareupdated is high in Activity Monitor or nettop.
App Store apps update while the Mac is on the hotspot.
An update is ready to install after a day on a hotspot.

Likely causes

Download new updates when available. With this option on, the Mac downloads macOS updates without asking.
App Store automatic updates. The App Store can update apps on its own. This is a separate setting from macOS updates.
App updaters. Some apps download their own updates with their own helper, outside Software Update.

How to check

Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click General. Click Software Update.
Click the Info button next to Automatic Updates. Look at the options that are on.
See the updates that macOS can install. This command does not need an administrator password.
```
softwareupdate --list
```
Look for softwareupdated and appstored in the list of processes on the hotspot.
```
nettop -P -t expensive
```

How to fix it

In Automatic Updates, turn off “Download new updates when available”. Click Done.
Open the App Store. Choose App Store > Settings, then turn off Automatic Updates.
Turn off automatic updates in apps that update themselves. Use the settings of each app.
On your usual network, open Software Update again and install the updates.
To install all recommended updates from Terminal, use softwareupdate. It asks for an administrator password.
```
softwareupdate --install --recommended
```
Needs an administrator password.

With Kilobat

With the network filter on, Kilobat pauses updater helpers on metered networks. This includes macOS Software Update and App Store downloads. It needs Pro.
See which updaters are covered and which update bytes got through on this network.
```
kilobat updaters
```
Output The covered helpers, the update bytes that got through, paused connections and apps that update from inside themselves.
A download that started before the network became metered can finish. See Stop updates from using hotspot data.

Questions

Do I lose updates if I turn off automatic downloads?

No. Software Update still shows available updates. You install them when you choose.

Does Low Data Mode stop Software Update?

Apple describes Low Data Mode only as a way to reduce data use. To be sure, turn off automatic downloads.

Do laptops download updates on battery?

Apple says that a Mac laptop must have the power adapter connected to download updates automatically.

Sources

Apple Support: Software Update settings on Mac
Apple Support: Keep your Mac up to date
Apple Support: How to manually update apps from the App Store
softwareupdate(8), man page installed with macOS 27.2
nettop(1), man page installed with macOS 27.2

Sources checked on 29 October 2026. Man pages are the ones installed with macOS; open one with man <name> in Terminal.