If you keep your macOS regularly updated, you probably noticed that Apple had released Security Update 2019-002 for Sierra and High Sierra twice. The first one was on March 25th, then another Security Update 2019-002 update was released on March 29th.
This incident has caused a lot of confusion among Sierra and High Sierra users, with some of them thinking that Apple made a mistake with the announcement and decided to push the update to a later date. Others thought that it might be a naming error committed by Apple engineers.
Well, these speculations are all wrong. There really were two versions of Security Update 2019-002 for High Sierra and Sierra that Apple released just a few days apart. This is because the initial update, which was released last March 25th, was incomplete, so Apple had to follow it up with another update.
What Is Security Update 2019-002?
Security Update 2019-002 is a combo security update for macOS released last March 2019. The first update addresses several kernel-related problems that will allow malicious apps to execute arbitrary codes. It also fixes a vulnerability issue with the macOS Feedback assistant using improved checks and additional validation. Security fixes were also released for Wi-Fi, Time Machine, and memory vulnerabilities.
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The second update, on the other hand, was released to “restore a number of security fixes that were missing from the previous build.”
The Security Updates 2019-002 are available for macOS Sierra 10.12.6 and macOS High Sierra 10.13.6. After updating, the build numbers should be 16G1918 for macOS Sierra and 17G6030 for High Sierra. So if you see an earlier build number on your system, then you should install these updates.
How to Start Security Update 2019-002 10.13.6
To avoid problems with the update process, clean up your Mac first and optimize your operating system with an app such as Mac repair app. Deleting your junk files also ensures that you have enough disk space for the new updates.
The updates are available in the Mac App Store under the Updates tab. Just click the Install button to get these updates installed on your macOS. You can also download the update files from Apple’s website and install them on your Mac manually.
Problems Installing Security Update 2019-002 10.13.6
The update installation should be a hassle-free process, especially if you’re updating through the Mac App Store. All you need to do is click the Install button, and the update should complete by itself.
However, several Sierra and High Sierra users came across various problems when installing this update combo. First and foremost, users were not aware that these updates are related to each other and should both be installed. Some users disregarded one of the updates, thinking that it is redundant or these two updates should be the same. Not installing both updates led to more problems, namely installation errors, boot-up problems, and freezing.
Some users also encountered a problem with updating and restarting due to Security Update 2019-002 10.13.6. According to user reports, the updates were successfully installed but when the restart prompt appeared, the computer did not proceed with the shutdown, making the installation incomplete. There are users who were able to proceed with the shutdown but the update progress bar got stuck at some point and just hanged for hours.
These problems with installing Security Update 2019-002 10.13.6 have left a lot of users scratching their heads and looking for ways to resolve this problem. If you’re one of the affected users, simply follow the steps below to be able to successfully install Security Update 2019-002 10.13.6.
What to Do When Security Update 2019-002 10.13.6 Fails to Install
If your computer freezes during the installation of the update in view or fails to restart and complete the update, try our step-by-step guide below. This guide works for Security Update 2019-002 and all other macOS updates.
Step 1: Restart Your Mac.
The first steps you need to take when experiencing problems with installing updates are to cancel any downloads, close all open apps, check your storage space, then restart your computer. This should kill any extra processes not necessary for the update and let you start off with a clean slate.
It is better if you boot into Safe Mode so that there are no other third-party processes running. Just hold the Shift key when starting up your Mac to boot into Safe Mode. Complete the following steps in this mode to ensure success in the troubleshooting procedures.
Step 2: Delete Old Downloads.
MacOS automatically deletes update files after installing them. But if you are unable to complete the update, these files might be lying somewhere in your system and interfering with the process.
To delete old update files, try these steps:
- Look under the Applications folder. If your computer is running High Sierra, the filename should be SecUpd2019-002HighSierra.dmg. For macOS Sierra, the filename of the update file is SecUpd2019-002Sierra.dmg. You can also search for these files in Finder if you can’t find them in the Applications folder.
- Search for the OS X Install Data folder in Finder and delete it.
- Go to the /Library/Updates This folder is used to store system update files that have not yet been installed. Delete the contents of this folder.
Step 3: Update via Mac App Store.
Once you’ve deleted the old downloads, proceed with the installation of the updates via the App Store. To do this:
- Click the App Store icon from the Dock or go to the Apple menu, then click App Store from there.
- Click on the Updates tab.
- Click on Security Update 2019-002 to install the update. You can also click the Update All button if you wish to install the other updates as well.
Make sure to install the first Security Update 2019-002 update dated March 25, 2019 before installing the second one dated March 29, 2019. After downloading these updates, restart your system and check if the update proceeds without errors.
Step 4: Install Updates Manually.
If installing via App Store doesn’t work, you can download the DMG files from Apple’s website and install them manually on your Mac. Click below to download the correct installer for your macOS:
Double-click on the DMG file and follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 5: Reinstall macOS.
If nothing works, your last option is to reinstall macOS via Recovery Mode. Reinstalling your operating system this way ensures that you don’t lose any of your data.
Follow the steps below to reinstall macOS:
- Boot into Recovery Mode by pressing Command + R during startup.
- Release the keys when you see the spinning globe, the Apple logo, or the firmware password dialog box.
- Select Reinstall macOS from the options, then click Continue.
- Follow the onscreen instructions, then choose the hard drive you want to use for the installation.
Wait for the process to be completed. It is normal for your Mac to restart several times or to see a white screen during the installation. Once the update is completed, your macOS should be updated and good to go.
Summary
Security updates, such as 2019-002, are necessary for the smooth running of your Mac and for protection against malicious attacks. If you’re having trouble installing Security Update 2019-002 10.13.6 High Sierra or any other updates, simply follow the troubleshooting steps above to fix your update problem.