macOS: offer Install on Quit after an update is downloaded

Open 💬 0 comments Opened Aug 27, 2026 by greenTableWork

Feature request

On macOS, after Codex has downloaded an app update, please offer an Install on Quit option alongside an immediate restart/install option.

This would let a user continue an active session and have the pending update installed when they normally quit the app, rather than requiring an interruption at download time.

Desired behavior

  • Once an update is downloaded and verified, offer:
  • Install and restart now
  • Install on quit
  • Later
  • Install on quit should apply the already-downloaded update after a normal, graceful app quit.
  • If the app cannot safely quit, leave the update pending rather than risking session or work loss.
  • Clearly indicate whether the app will relaunch after installation.
  • Preserve the existing explicit-update and security behavior.

Feasibility research

This is feasible for a directly distributed macOS app, though it is implemented by the app updater rather than by a universal macOS preference:

This request is specifically for direct distribution. Mac App Store apps must use the Mac App Store update mechanism: https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/

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