Forum Discussion
Can't update Defender app on macOS
Hello,
We started getting this situation where Defender for macOS can't be updated:
Microsoft Defender 101.25072 Current Version: 101.25062 Installed: 2025-08-05 Update error: The update could not be installed at this time. Please try again later.
Microsoft AutoUpdate is up to date.
Operating System Version: 15.6.1
Device managed by Mosyle MDM.
All of our active users have been updated to 15.6.1 (and this problem was observed on OS versions from 15.1 to 15.6.1)
What could be causing this? And what can we do about it?
Microsoft support:
- One option is to temporarily switch Tamper Protection to Audit Mode, which will allow the updates to be installed.
- Alternatively, you can use a Tamper Protection exclusion in combination with the upgrade_helper method. This approach is reliable and does not require changing Tamper Protection to Audit Mode.
You’ll find the steps to initiate the upgrade_helper deployment in the document linked below.
https://github.com/microsoft/mdatp-xplat/tree/master/macos/upgrade_from_2506_helper
7 Replies
Microsoft support:
- One option is to temporarily switch Tamper Protection to Audit Mode, which will allow the updates to be installed.
- Alternatively, you can use a Tamper Protection exclusion in combination with the upgrade_helper method. This approach is reliable and does not require changing Tamper Protection to Audit Mode.
You’ll find the steps to initiate the upgrade_helper deployment in the document linked below.
https://github.com/microsoft/mdatp-xplat/tree/master/macos/upgrade_from_2506_helper
Hi all,
It's included in known issues and MS has supplied a workaround:
https://github.com/microsoft/mdatp-xplat/blob/master/macos/upgrade_from_2506_helper
Best regards,
JesperIdentical problem here. Running MacOS 14.7.8
Hi,
Am observing the very same issue too and understood an update seems already available.
Problem is that Microsoft Defender can't update itself because it's protected by tamper protection.
Raised a support ticket with Microsoft Support to come up with a proper solution.Thanks, I also created support ticket.
Hi,
Thank you for sharing the solution!
