How to update the OS of a Mac mini

Reviewed on August 05, 2025

This guide provides instructions on updating the operating system of a Scaleway Mac mini.

Before you start

To complete the actions presented below, you must have:

• A Scaleway account logged into the console
• Owner status or IAM permissions allowing you to perform actions in the intended Organization
• An SSH key
• A Mac mini

Recommended method: macOS provided by Scaleway

The recommended method to update the macOS is to reinstall your Mac mini with an OS image provided by Scaleway:

1. Click Apple silicon in the Bare Metal section of the side menu. A list of your Mac minis displays.
2. Click the Mac mini you want to reinstall. Your Mac mini Overview displays.
3. Scroll down to the Reinstall Mac mini section, and click Reinstall.
4. Type REINSTALL to confirm the installation of your Mac mini and click Reinstall Mac mini to validate.
   Important

   • When reinstalling your Mac mini, all the data on the disk is deleted, and all configurations are reset to the default values.
   • Do not forget to backup your data before reinstalling the operating system to avoid any data loss.
   • Your Mac mini will be unavailable during the reinstallation and becomes available again once the reinstallation has been completed.

Manually upgrading macOS

Upgrading the OS via remote desktop

1. Log into your Mac mini using a remote desktop client

2. Go to System settings > General > Software update

3. Launch the installation of the update.

   Tip

   If you want to install a beta version:

   1. Sign up to the Apple Beta Software Program with your Apple ID.
   2. Read through Apple's instructions carefully, and then using the link in the Get Started section, select enroll your Mac.
   3. Go back to System settings > General > Software update and click the Info button next to Beta updates to enable beta versions updates.
   Important

   Your Mac mini may restart during the upgrade process and be unavailable while the software update is installed. Once the update is successfully completed, it will become available again.

Upgrading the OS using SSH

To manually update the operating system using the softwareupdate tool, follow these steps:

1. List all available updates:

   softwareupdate --list

2. Install all available updates:

   sudo softwareupdate --install

   Tip

   If you want to upgrade selected packages only, use the following command:

   softwareupdate --install package-name

   Important

   Your Mac mini may restart during the upgrade process and be unavailable while the software update is installed. Once the update is successfully completed, it will become available again.