How To Use Updatest

Everything you need to know about managing your app updates.

How Updatest Finds Updates

Understanding where updates come from

Updatest scans the apps on your Mac and looks inside them for update information. Most apps include details about where to check for updates, which Updatest uses to find new versions automatically.

Local Sources
Updatest checks update information exposed by apps themselves and from known package sources like Homebrew, Sparkle, Mac App Store, Electron, and GitHub. It doesn't modify apps during scanning - it just reads what's already there.

Updatest Network
The optional Updatest Network feature discovers versions from the Updatest Network. It works alongside local sources as an additional way to find updates.

Why some apps show no source
If an app doesn't expose update information through a supported method, Updatest won't be able to check it locally. You can add a manual source, adopt the app to Homebrew, or enable the Updatest Network to discover new versions.

Homebrew

Apps installed through Homebrew are checked directly. For other apps, we match against Homebrew's repository using metadata like bundle identifiers. These matches may need verification.

Sparkle

A popular update system used by many Mac apps. We read the update URL directly from the app.

Mac App Store

Apps from the App Store are checked automatically through Apple.

Electron

Cross-platform apps like Slack, Discord, and VS Code often include their update configuration.

GitHub

Some apps link to their GitHub repository, so we can check for new releases there.

Updatest Network

An optional feature that discovers app versions from the Updatest Network. Useful when no other source is detected.

No Update Source?

If an app shows No Update Source, we couldn't detect how it updates. You have a few options:

  • Adopt to Homebrew - Updatest can update the app directly going forward.
  • Add a manual source - Point us to a Homebrew cask or GitHub repo.
  • Enable the Updatest Network - Discover versions from other Updatest users.
Why this happens

Updatest checks update sources that an app exposes in a verifiable way. If an app doesn't include update information, there's no local source for Updatest to check.

Homebrew Adoption

Let Homebrew manage your app updates

Adoption lets Homebrew manage an app you've already installed. Once adopted, you can update the app directly in Updatest.

Why adopt?

  • Update in Updatest - No need to visit the developer's website
  • Version tracking - Homebrew handles version management for you
  • Nothing changes - Your app, settings, and data stay exactly as they are

Adoption changes how updates are managed, not how the app itself behaves.

What if I update a different way? It doesn't matter how you update your apps. If an adopted app updates itself through Sparkle or another built-in updater, everything still works. Homebrew may be temporarily out of sync internally, but this is expected and nothing breaks. Updatest is smart enough to detect the correct version regardless of how the app was updated, and Homebrew was designed to handle this gracefully.

To adopt an app:

  1. Select an app that shows an adoption suggestion
  2. Click Adopt...
  3. Review the suggested cask, or pick a different one from Cask Options
  4. Click Adopt Know the cask name? You can type it manually, including casks from custom taps.

Adoption is a commitment

Adopting ties an app to Homebrew, and switching back requires manually downloading the app again. For most people this is fine - but it's worth knowing before you adopt.

Update first, then adopt

See an update available? Update it before adopting. Adoption tells Homebrew to track your current version. It won't update the app for you.

Don't adopt paid Mac App Store apps

Paid App Store apps are tied to your Apple ID. The Homebrew version is usually a different build that won't recognize your purchase. You could lose features or end up unlicensed. Free App Store apps are fine to adopt.

Tips

  • Your app's data and settings are never modified
  • Click the info icon to learn more about a suggested cask
  • Don't want to adopt? You can hide the suggestion

Adding Manual Update Sources

Track updates for any app

Can't find an update source? You can add one yourself. Updatest will check it for new versions and notify you when updates are available.

Add Source vs Adopt

  • Add Source - Get notified about updates. You download and install yourself.
  • Adopt - Homebrew manages everything and you can update directly in Updatest.

Choose Add Source when you want notifications but prefer to handle updates manually.

To add a Homebrew Cask:

  1. Click Add Source...
  2. Choose Homebrew Cask
  3. Enter the cask name (e.g., firefox)
  4. Click Save

To add a GitHub Repository:

  1. Click Add Source...
  2. Choose GitHub Repository
  3. Enter the repo (e.g., electron/electron)
  4. Click Save

Adding a source doesn't change how the app updates - it only lets Updatest check for new versions.

Tips

  • Great for apps that update through GitHub but don't include the repo URL
  • You can change or remove a source anytime

Which Method Should I Use?

A quick guide

What happens when you click Update?

What happens depends on where the update comes from:

  • Homebrew (adopted) - Updatest downloads and installs the update directly.
  • Sparkle/Electron - The app's built-in updater opens. Follow its prompts.
  • Mac App Store - The App Store opens to the app's page.
  • GitHub or manual sources - Your browser opens to the download page.
  • Updatest Network - Your browser opens to the download page.

Use Adopt when:

  • You want to update directly in Updatest
  • The app is available as a Homebrew cask
  • You want Homebrew to manage the app going forward

Use Add Source when:

  • You just want to be notified about updates
  • You prefer downloading updates from the developer yourself
  • The app isn't in Homebrew but has GitHub releases

Use the Updatest Network when:

  • No other update source is detected
  • You want to discover versions from other Updatest users
  • You're okay with version-only detection (no direct updates)

Mac App Store apps are tracked automatically. No setup needed.

Why some Homebrew updates fail

Updatest runs Homebrew updates without prompting for input. This means it can't ask for your system password or handle commands that require user interaction.

Some Homebrew updates must be run directly in Terminal depending on how the app was installed or where it lives on disk. When that happens, Homebrew requires user interaction.

Updatest can't always detect this ahead of time, so a failed update doesn't mean anything is wrong - it just means Homebrew needs to be run manually.

Updatest intentionally doesn't request system passwords or escalate privileges, and instead delegates those cases to Terminal. This is expected behavior for Homebrew and doesn't indicate a problem with your setup.

When this happens, click Update in Terminal or copy and run the command yourself. A failed update won't affect future update checks or break tracking.

Keep in mind:

  • Adopted apps can also be updated via brew upgrade in Terminal
  • For apps with manual sources, clicking Update opens the download page
  • You can always switch methods later.