Mac App Store updates when signed out

DaveWT

Well-Known Member
I normally stay signed out of the App store on my Mac. When I want to do an update to an app, it has prompted me to sign in. I then get the update and sign out again.

Since upgrading to Catalina, I find even while still signed out, the updates proceed anyway. Has anyone else noticed this?

Dave Teece
 

chas_m

Well-Known Member
I’m not at my Mac and not running Catalina on it anyway at present, but chances are high that “automatic updates“ or “power nap” got turned on in the update. I’m not sure there’s any good reason to be signed out of the Mac App Store except that you enjoy the hassle of signing in every single time, but finding and turning off either “power nap“ or “automatic updates“ should fix that problem.
 

DaveWT

Well-Known Member
I just checked for "automatic updates" in the App store preferences and it is NOT checked.

By "power nap" if you are referring to that setting in System Preferences > Energy Saver it is checked but has been in Mojave and earlier and I don't see how that would be a factor in this situation. I am not finding apps are updating automatically (like when the computer is asleep) but rather if I go to the App store and check for updates, it shows me the apps that need updating. Then when I click on "update all" they just get updated without it prompting me for my password as it used to do.

As to whether I need to sign out or not, that is just a quirk of mine I guess. It makes me feel safer, whether needed or not. Heck, I even sign out of this forum when I am done.
 

chas_m

Well-Known Member
As far as I can remember, the App Store has never asked me for my password to apply updates.
 

DaveWT

Well-Known Member
These are purchased (and maybe some free) 3rd party apps, not Apple supplied apps. And in your case with Apple watch etc. maybe it is just knowing who you are so login isn't needed?
 

chas_m

Well-Known Member
No, I don't have a Mac that authenticates me through my Apple Watch. Semi-annually I get asked to re-authenticate when I visit the store to look at something, and of course I have to re-authenticate every time I buy something (free or paid), but never for updates on any device.
 
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