How to Retrieve macOS Install.log to View Software Update Logging

macOS updates are logged in a file called install.log. This file can provide valuable insights for troubleshooting, especially when updates occur during a device reboot and the Automox agent cannot capture visibility.

Why Access the Install.log File?

The install.log is essential for diagnosing issues related to:

• Software installation failures.
• macOS system updates during reboots.
• General troubleshooting of package installations.

Finding the Install.log File

Use Finder

1. Open Finder.
2. Navigate to Go > Go to Folder.
3. Enter /var/log/ and press Enter.
4. Locate install.log.

Use the command:

1. Open the Terminal application.

cat /var/log/install.log

2. For continuous monitoring:
   
   tail -f /var/log/install.log

Viewing the Install.log File

1. Console Application:
   • Open the Console.app from the Applications folder.
   • Go to the Log Reports section and locate the install.log.
2. Text Editor:
   • Copy the file from /var/log/ to a user-accessible location.
   • Open the file using any text editor.

Additional Tips

• Ensure you have administrative permissions if needed.
• Filter logs to find relevant entries using Terminal:
  
  grep "update" /var/log/install.log

• Use this file in combination with Automox logs for a comprehensive view of update activities.