Apple Plans Seamless Day-One macOS Updates for Sealed MacBook Purchases at Retail Stores

According to a recent report, Apple is developing a new update mechanism for sealed Mac computers, which will enable the company to dispatch its devices from Apple Stores equipped with the latest macOS version. Clues regarding this feature were uncovered in the most recent macOS 26 developer beta, released earlier this week. Apple has previously implemented wireless updates for sealed iPhone models available in its stores, allowing employees to power up a device, carry out an update, and then power it down after completion.

Apple May Soon Provide Day-One Updates for Sealed Mac Computers

With the latest release of macOS 26 beta 3 for developers and testers on Monday, Apple has begun working on a «sealed-device update system» for Mac computers, as reported by 9to5Mac. It’s believed that this feature will enable Apple staff to perform updates on a MacBook even while it remains in its sealed packaging.

This method might sound recognizable because Apple already facilitates wireless updates for sealed iPhone devices through an advanced system called Presto. This technology reportedly employs near field communication to activate an iPhone within a retail box, wirelessly download and install the current iOS version, and subsequently power it off.

It remains uncertain how Apple plans to remotely activate its MacBook models or if it will introduce new hardware in future Mac releases to support this sealed-device update feature. The source suggests that established models may connect via Bluetooth, but the exact workings of this have not been clarified.

Theoretically, Apple could provide day-one updates for sealed MacBook devices available in its stores, should it successfully implement a Presto-like update system for its computers. Presently, this feature is still under development in the latest macOS 26 developer beta version.

If Apple proceeds to launch such a feature for their Mac computers, it would remove the necessity for installing additional updates following a device purchase. This would also expedite the setup process for a new Mac computer, which often entails downloading an update that can be slow depending on Wi-Fi speeds at the point of sale.