Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science

Apple macOS Support

macOS usersSCS Computing Facilities has opted to use the built-in protection Apple offers in Mac systems over a third-party product. Please follow our instructions to uninstall ESET Endpoint Security if you have that installed. 

macOS Sonoma is the latest major release of macOS. Released in 2023, it is the successor to macOS Ventura.

SCS Computing Facilities (SCSCF) offer support for macOS that includes automated device enrollment with a baseline software offering along with support for issues relating to the operating system and its functionality.

We also support older versions of the operating system when required by software compatibility and other special situations. Please refer to our operating system support lifecycle page for more information.

The SCS macOS Baseline Software Configuration includes the following:

  • macOS Sonoma
  • Microsoft Office 365 for Mac
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client
  • Zoom
SCS owned machines can be registered for support with SCSCF through our online equipment registration form. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding our support services or if you need registration assistance.

Mac Software Management Tools (JAMF)

SCSCF utilizes Jamf's Jamf Pro suite of tools for Mac management. These tools enable the delivery of premium support options to the SCS Mac Community. All new hosts with software support deployed within the environment are enrolled in this service.

Some benefits of this service include:

  • Helpful default configurations appropriate for the SCS CMU network.
  • Access to all SCS software via a Self Service Software App Store.
  • Easy search for and installation of SCS printing.

Note: Jamf provides SCS Computing Facilities with the ability to manage Mac devices via MDM command, Jamf agent, and corresponding administrative service accounts.

Self Service Software App Store

The Self Service Software App Store is your gateway to the new suite of Mac-centric services offered to the SCS Community.

Simply click the 'Self Service Software' icon located in the Applications folder or from the Launchpad on your Mac to get started. If you are registered for SCSCF Software Support and do not find Self Service Software in your system, please submit a ticket so that we may enroll your system and help with the installation of the client software for you. 

Software Update Policy

We set appropriate macOS software update settings monthly to help ensure your Mac receives timely security updates. 

Software Installation

Access to all software provided to the SCS Mac Community is available via the Self Service Software App Store. You'll find all of our software packaged for use within the SCS environment. 

Upon launching the Self Service Software App Store, you will see our Featured software section that highlights the most popular and most recently updated applications used in our environment. The right pane of the Self Service Software App Store has a category listing that will facilitate software browsing. You also have the option of searching for an application using the search box located in the upper right hand corner.

To install software using the Self Service Software App Store:

  1. Click Self Service Software
  2. Click Install next to the application you wish to install (Additional applications are available by clicking All)
    • Note: Some apps require clicking install twice to ensure you read the description.
Self Service Software

This will start the installation process, which can be tracked in the status bar window at the top of the Self Service Software App Store.

Printer Access and Installation

In the Self Service Software App Store you can browse all printers administered by SCS Computing Facilities. You can find printing instructions on our macOS printing page.