Written by
Jenny Zeng
Summary: This article discusses macOS Sonoma updates, including how to download the full installer of each update, what's new in 14.7.6, and the potential issues you may encounter. If you want to download the macOS Sonoma DMG full installer or wish to create a bootable installer for Sonoma, get iBoysoft DiskGeeker.
The most recent version of macOS Sonoma, macOS Sonoma 14.7.6, was released to the public on May 12, 2025. If you're still running macOS Sonoma, you might want to update your Mac to get the new security patches.
This article will provide links to download the macOS Sonoma full installer of each release directly, cover the security patches the latest 14.7.6 gets, and address possible macOS 14.7.6 update issues.
macOS Sonoma download directly (All updates included)
Additional resources:
Download macOS Sonoma DMG File
Download macOS Sonoma ISO File
How to download & Install macOS Sonoma 14.7.6?
If you'd like to install the macOS Sonoma 14.7.6 update, you can download the official full installer for free from the following links, then run the installer:
Download macOS Sonoma 14.7.6 full installer from Mac App Store
Also, you can get the updates of macOS Sonoma and other macOS versions from the Mac OS updates download center.
(This is only available on compatible Macs. It downloads the macOS Sonoma.app file, which you can find in the Applications folder after the download is complete.)
Download macOS Sonoma 14.7.6 full installer from Apple's server
(This allows you to download macOS 14.7.6 on a Windows PC or any Mac. However, to utilize the app installer, you'll still need to install the pkg file to the Applications folder on a compatible Mac. After downloading, open the InstallAssistant.pkg file and follow the onscreen instructions.)
Besides, you can directly update macOS Sonoma without upgrading to macOS Sequoia or later from Software Update with the following steps:
- Go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Click on More info....
- Select the macOS Sonoma 14.7.1 update and click Update Now.
macOS Sonoma 14.7.6 release notes - what's new
This update brings 30 security patches to macOS Sonoma users, tackling system crashes, app instabilities, user data leaks, memory leaks, and more. Here's a table showing all the security patches of macOS 14.7.5:
| Component | Vulnerability | Potential Impact if Unfixed |
| afpfs | Malicious AFP server connection | Kernel memory corruption |
| afpfs | Malicious AFP share mount | System crash |
| AppleJPEG | Malicious media file processing | App crash or memory corruption |
| Audio | Double-free issue | Unexpected system crash |
| CoreAudio | File parsing flaw | App termination |
| CoreGraphics | Malicious file processing | DoS or memory data leak |
| CoreGraphics | File parsing flaw | User information disclosure |
| CoreMedia | Use-after-free issue | App crash |
| CoreMedia | Malicious video file processing | App crash or memory corruption |
| DiskArbitration | Permissions flaw | Malicious app gains root access |
| iCloud Document Sharing | Authentication bypass | Unauthorized iCloud folder sharing |
| Installer | Logic flaw | Sandboxed app steals user data |
| Kernel | Memory handling flaw | Kernel memory corruption or system crash |
| Kernel | Double-free issue | App crash |
| libexpat | Multiple parsing flaws | App crash or remote code execution |
| Libinfo | ASLR bypass | Attackers bypass memory protections |
| mDNSResponder | Incorrect privilege checks | Unauthorized privilege escalation |
| Mobile Device Service | Input validation flaw | Malicious app gains root access |
| Notification Center | Logging issue | App accesses sensitive user data |
| OpenSSH | Multiple security flaws | Remote exploitation (varies) |
| Pro Res | File parsing flaw | System crash |
| Sandbox | Logic flaw | App bypasses privacy restrictions |
| Security | Integer overflow | Remote memory leak |
| Security | Logging issue | App steals iCloud Keychain data |
| SharedFileList | Logic flaw | Attacker accesses protected files |
| SoftwareUpdate | Input validation flaw | App gains elevated privileges |
| StoreKit | Logging issue | App steals sensitive user data |
| Weather | Privacy flaw | Malicious app reads location data |
| WebContentFilter | Memory handling flaw | Kernel memory leak |
While this Sonoma update is highly recommended for existing macOS Sonoma users, some may experience issues during or after updating. We'll discuss the known issues of macOS 14.7.6 and the relevant solutions in the following sections.
macOS Sonoma 14.7.6 not installing
Symptoms: Trying to install the macOS 14.7.6 update, but it got stuck or failed with an error. Some error messages include:
- Failed to prepare the software update. Please try again. An error occurred while downloading the selected updates. Please check your internet connection and try again.
- An error occurred installing macOS.
- A software update is required to use this startup disk.
- Your computer started up in Recovery because a failure occurred during installation.
- Installation failed. An error occurred while installing the selected updates.
- This copy of the Install macOS Sonoma.app application is damaged, and can't be used to install macOS.
Solutions:
Update macOS Sonoma from Safe Mode
Safe Mode starts your Mac with only essential system components, which can help you isolate third-party software interference. Besides, it checks your startup disk and attempts to repair disk issues. If you can't install macOS 14.7.6 from Software Update, boot into macOS Safe Mode and try it again.
Update macOS Sonoma from Terminal
Another way to perform a macOS update is to download and install from Terminal. Here's how:
- Launch Terminal from your Applications > Utilities folder.
- Type the following command and hit Enter to check the latest macOS version.
softwareupdate --list-full-installers - Download macOS 14.7.6 and let it install automatically.
softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 14.7.6 --launch-installer
Download macOS Sonoma full installer directly and then run it
Suppose macOS 14.7.6 still won't install; then you can download the installer directly from Apple's server (link in the first section). After that, open the .pkg file, add the Sonoma installer to the Applications folder, and then run it to install the update.
macOS Sonoma 14.7.6 battery drain
If you notice your Mac's battery life drop significantly in a short time on macOS Sonoma 14.7.6, open Activity Monitor to check which processes in the Energy tab are depleting battery. If it's an app, update it or uninstall it if it's no longer needed. Additionally, you can reset the System Management Controller to refresh battery-related resources.
Apps not working on macOS Sonoma 14.7.6
Symptoms:
- Apps quit unexpectedly on macOS Sonoma 14.7.6
Apps won't open after the macOS 14.7.6 update
Apps hang or are not responsive
Solutions:
- Reinstall Rosetta 2 in Terminal. (run: softwareupdate --install-rosetta)
- Update the affected app.
- Uninstall the app completely with iBoysoft MagicMenu, then reinstall it.
- Press Shift while launching the app.
- Update macOS Sonoma.
macOS Sonoma 14.7.6 network issues
The macOS Sonoma 14.7.6 update could also bring WiFi problems. For example, you can't connect to WiFi, or WiFi appears to be connected, but there's no internet connection.
To resolve the internet issues on macOS Sonoma 14.7.6, disable VPN, antivirus software, or other internet security or monitoring programs. One way to achieve this is by going to System Settings > Network > VPN & Filters and then removing the said software.
Useful reading: Mac Connected to WiFi but No Internet
macOS Sonoma 14.7.6 Bluetooth issues
Symptoms:
- Unable to connect to Bluetooth devices like earphones, mice, and headsets after installing macOS 14.7.6
- Bluetooth mouse click not working
Solutions:
- Forget the Bluetooth device. (Go to System Settings > Bluetooth, then click the info button and Forget This Device > Forget Device. After that, add the device back.)
- Turn Bluetooth off and on.
- Ensure the Bluetooth device has enough battery.
- Connect the device with your Mac through a cable, if any.
- Upgrade the specific software for your mouse or keyboard.
AirDrop not working on macOS Sonoma 14.7.6
There are also users reporting AirDrop not working after updating macOS Sonoma to the latest 14.7.6. To fix this, you can upgrade your iPhone or the Apple device you want to share documents with. Also, make sure both devices have AirDrop enabled, use the same WiFi network, and are near each other and unlocked.
You should also try disabling personal hotspot, turning off the firewall or VPN, and restarting both devices. If nothing helps, wait for a newer update or upgrade to macOS Sequoia.
External drives not working after macOS 14.7.6 update
Your Mac may have trouble recognizing or mounting external drives after the Sonoma 14.7.6 update due to file system incompatibility, disk corruption, or hardware issues. To mount the disk with read/write access, try the following tips:
If the drive is NTFS-formatted, uninstall the outdated NTFS for Mac tool on your Mac, then install iBoysoft NTFS for Mac to work with it.
If the drive that won't mount on macOS Sonoma is formatted with other formats, remove its data with iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac, then reformat the external drive on Mac.
If you just upgraded to macOS Sonoma on an Apple Silicon Mac, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and enable "Automatically When Unlocked or Always" to allow accessories to connect.
You can change the USB cable or port to see if it has any effect as well.
For more potential macOS Sonoma issues and fixes, refer to: Fix Known macOS Sonoma Issues, Problems, Bugs (Top 20)
Share these macOS Sonoma 14.7.6 issues & problems with others!
