Google Updater for Mac has been retired because Google software, such as Desktop and Notifier, no longer require its use. If you had it installed, we did some housecleaning and automatically removed the program for you, using GoogleUpdaterGhostInstaller.pkg, in order to free up processing power on your computer.
Frequenly Asked Questions
Introduction - How does Google Updater work?
First, it streamlines the software installation process. Also, once Google Updater is installed, you can see which Google software you have already installed. Finally, Google Updater provides you with a central place for discovering and downloading more Google software. New Google applications are just a. Google products use a process called Google Update to periodically check for updates. This process sends information, such as version number, language, operating system, and other installation or update-related details, back to Google servers.
Oct 18, 2019 If any updates are available, click the Update Now button to install them. Or click ”More info” to see details about each update and select specific updates to install. When Software Update says that your Mac is up to date, the installed version of macOS and all of its apps are also up to date. Jul 23, 2019 Google's secret update software and how to remove it. The attached article was something I came across by accident while attempting to solve a different problem. Namely how to install Google 's 'Download an Sync' app which I have had or did have before restoring my MBP after a disastrous failure of my OS and clone. Jul 09, 2014 Google Software Update is an application that helps ensure you always have the most updated versions of the Google software you have installed. So if you are using any Google software on your Mac.
What is Google Updater?
Google Updater is the installer for Google products on the Mac. You can use Google Updater to see which Google software you have installed and to see other Google applications you might be interested in. Google Updater helps keep your software up-to-date by installing updates when they become available. And you can use Google Updater to uninstall Google Software.Why is Google Updater installed when I install another Google product?
Google Updater makes the software installation process more convenient in several ways. First, it streamlines the software installation process. Also, once Google Updater is installed, you can see which Google software you have already installed. Finally, Google Updater provides you with a central place for discovering and downloading more Google software. New Google applications are just a few clicks away.What is the Usage Statistics feature?
If you enable Usage Statistics in Preferences, Google Updater may send non-personal usage statistics to Google. We use this data to help us improve our software.Get Started
What are the system requirements for Google Updater?
You need a Mac running Mac OS X 10.4 or later.Do I need the password to an administrator account on my computer in order to install Google Updater?
No, Google Updater can be installed without an administrator password. However, to install some applications, including Google Desktop, you will need to have an administrator password. (If you're the only user of the computer, you're probably an administrator. Just use your usual login and password.)I use a dial-up Internet connection. How long is installation going to take?
Google Updater is designed to download and install programs in the fastest and most efficient way possible; however, if you're using a dial-up connection, it may still take a while to install programs. You can look at the progress bar in the Google Updater window to see how your installation is progressing.Can I use any Google products if I don't have Mac OS X 10.4 or later?
Some Google products work with Mac OS X 10.3 or later. Google provides separate installers for these. To see which products are available, go to http://www.google.com/mac.Install
How do I install programs?
To install a Google program with Google Updater:- In Google Updater, click Explore Google Products.
- Click the program you want to install.
- Click the Install button.
What if I don't want to install all the programs that Google Updater shows me?
![Google software update daemon mac Google software update daemon mac](/uploads/1/2/6/4/126441872/964925853.jpg)
If I choose not to install a program initially, can I install it later?
Yes. Once you have installed Google Updater, you can use it any time to install more software.Updates
How will I know when there are updates or new programs available?
Google Updater keeps track of the programs you have installed and can alert you when new versions become available. By default, updates are installed automatically. If you don't want to be notified when updates are available, follow these steps:- From the Finder, choose Go > Applications.
- Double-click the Google Updater icon.
- Choose Google Updater > Preferences.
- Uncheck the box labeled 'Notify me when updates are installed'.
- Click 'Done'.
Can I configure Google Updater to update only some of my software?
No. Google Updater is set to update all your installed Google software.Does Google Updater update itself?
Yes. Google Updater keeps itself up-to-date automatically, in addition to updating the other Google software you've installed.Uninstall
How do I uninstall programs?
To uninstall a Google program with Google Updater:- In Google Updater, click My Software List.
- Click the program you want to uninstall.
- Click the Uninstall button.
How do I uninstall Google Updater?
To uninstall Google Updater, you first have to uninstall other Google software on your computer. You can't uninstall Google Updater while you have Google software on your computer because we need it there to keep your software up-to-date.- In Google Updater, click My Software List.
- If you have any Google software (other than Updater), click it, then click Uninstall.
- Click Google Updater.
- Click the Uninstall button. If asked, enter an adminstrator account name and password.
There are a lot of great things Google has brought to the table over the years, including Search, Maps, and the Google Pixel smartphone (its cameras, anyway). Unfortunately, it's also an apex predator often accused of mining and collecting personal data in questionable ways.
A case in point is the GoogleSoftwareUpdate.app file that gets installed on Macs in the presence of Google apps such as Chrome and Google Earth.
First discovered by Wireda decade ago, the pesky file runs in the background and supports software patching and updating. Unfortunately, it also grabs your computer's hardware information, usage frequency, the number of active profiles on your computer, and more.
Recently, it's been rearing its ugly head again with the update to macOS Catalina. With the new Catalina security settings in place, updaters you may not have even known were there are being spotlighted, asking if you're OK with what they're doing. The first time you open Chrome on your Mac, you may see a notification asking if you want to run GoogleSoftwareUpdater.app, noting that Google installed it at a previous time. If you click 'OK,' you're back to what you've always been doing. If you click 'Cancel,' you have a new set of annoyances to deal with.
The folks over at E-Thinkers say what Google claims the file does is 'harmless.' However, because of how it's been designed, it 'behaves like a malware.'
Google Software Update Bundle On Mac Pro
What will you think if I'm telling you that there is a piece of software that:
- it installs in your computer without explicit asking for your permission, nor giving the options to decline it;
- it frequently sending data back to Google without your knowledge;
- it can't be configured via a settings menu;
- there is no uninstallation tool for you;
- and it will re-install by itself if you delete it.'
I would agree, which is why removing GoogleSoftwareUpdate.app permanently might be the best course of action for most Mac users. However, because the tool's main objective is to automatically update Google software in the background, a better solution might be to change how often Google can check for those updates.
Warning: This guide is for expert-level users. If you don't have a comfortable understanding of Terminal, low-level systems, and security, stay away. Otherwise, as a responsible adult: proceed at your own risk.
Confirming GoogleSoftwareUpdate.app
Before attempting to delete or adjust the Google file, you should confirm its existence on your computer. Hint: If you have a Google product installed, it's almost certainly there somewhere!
Version Series: N/A. Spss software, free download mac.
Latest Mac Software Update
E-Tinkers first published each of the following steps in January 2018. Apparent changes made by Google required an update released in July 2019.
To confirm GoogleSoftwareUpdate.app is installed, you'll need to bring up Terminal.
- Selection Go on the Mac toolbar.
- Choose Utilities.
- Click Terminal.When a major new macOS is released, it gets a new name, such as macOS Catalina. Mac os software for scanning silverlight. These are all Mac operating systems, starting with the most recent.
- Type of the following command syntax:
defaults read com.google.Keystone.Agent.plist
. - Hit Return. You should see a screen like the following; if you don't, the file isn't installed:Source: E-Tinkers
Adjusting how often GoogleSoftwareUpdate.app runs
In the screenshot above, note the
checkInternal
setting. This shows how often Google checks your computer for software updates in seconds. In the example above, Google checks every five hours (3,600 x 5 = 18,000 seconds) by default. You can adjust this time by changing it using Terminal. By changing how often the updater check for software updates, you can continue to use your Google apps, but only run it once in a while.- Selection Go on the Mac toolbar.
- Choose Utilities.
- Click Terminal.
- Type of the following command syntax:
defaults write com.google.Keystone.Agent checkInterval 604800
where the check now happens every 24 hours.
If you change the checkInternal to 0, Google's no longer sending data, which E-Tinkers rightly notes is sufficient for most users.
For those who don't like how Google uses the GoogleSoftwareUpdate.app on Mac, uninstalling might be the best option.
To uninstall GoogleSoftwareUpdate.app
You can disable GoogleSoftwareUpdate.app by using the command syntax:
sudo rm -R ~/Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate/
. Unfortunately, with this solution, it will quickly return if you once again run a Google app on your Mac.Because of this, you need to take different steps to uninstall the app. These steps will prevent Google apps from reinstalling the update again by creating a dummy file with the same name:
- Selection Go on the Mac toolbar.
- Choose Utilities.
- Click Terminal.
- Type of the following command syntax:
sudo touch ~/Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate
sudo chmod 444 ~/Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate
One final step
In July, E-Tinkers determined Google had changed a setting so GoogleSoftwareUpdate.app would install on the global level on a Mac if a user deleted it at the user level. Therefore, you should also run this command in Terminal:
sudo touch /Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate
sudo chmod 444 /Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate
Is GoogleSoftwareUpdate.app really gone?
To confirm the Google app is now removed from your computer:
- Launch Google Chome.
- Type
chrome://help
in the URL. You should see the following:
It's light's out for GoogleSoftwareUpdate.app on your computer!
What about updates?
If you want to update a Google app on your Mac after following the steps above, you'll need to delete it, then install it again from the Google website. You'll once again need to delete GoogleSoftwareUpdate.app after doing so, however.
Any questions?
Let us know if you have any questions about the steps offered in this post below.
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