For those apps that push the limits of macOS, they’re sometimes not distributed via the App Store due to Apple’s restrictions. When I have a bunch of such apps alongside the apps I’ve downloaded from the Mac App Store, there’s no central way for me to see and update them to the latest versions. This is where Latest helps me manage app updates seamlessly. The app asks you to choose the folders where your apps are installed and then scans them for updates.
Latest is a free and open source app for macOS that acts as a unified dashboard for all my app updates. Rather than me bouncing between the Mac App Store and individual app updaters, I get a single interface that shows everything that needs my attention.
I can update the macOS apps natively form inside the Latest app, which is great. I can see what’s new (release notes) and check version numbers. The app pulls this information from the Sparkle framework (open source) used in Mac apps, which according to developer Max Langer covers most apps outside the Mac App Store.
Key features
The app is very simple and clever. I can update a single app or update all at once (keyboard shortcuts are available). One thing that’s missing from the macOS App Store’s “Updates” section is the option to manually refresh and look for new updates. Latest addresses this gap perfectly.
What I particularly like about Latest:
- Unified update management
- Release notes integration
- Clean, native interface
- Open source and free
With the popular MacUpdater being discontinued by the end of this year, Latest becomes an even more valuable alternative for me.
Trade-offs
Some apps need to be opened manually for updates, which isn’t ideal but is a necessary tradeoff. And some apps require redownloading from their website rather than updating in place. These limitations aren’t deal-breakers for me, but they’re worth noting. I can also ignore an app to skip checking for updates.
Latest fills a genuine gap in the macOS ecosystem by bringing much-needed organization to app updates across different sources. For a free, open-source utility created by a single developer, it punches well above its weight.
Since I find myself forgetting to update applications or getting frustrated with the scattered nature of Mac app updates, Latest is absolutely worthy of keeping in my dock. It’s one of those simple utilities that quietly makes my Mac experience better without getting in my way.
Latest is available as a free download from max.codes/latest.