Date Deadlines
If there is no actively logged in user (the system is at the login window) then the super workflow automatically downloads and installs any macOS updates requiring a restart. Conversely, if a user is actively logged in and the super workflow has successfully downloaded an update that requires a restart, then the default behavior is to ask the user if they want to restart now or defer until later.
Date deadlines allow you to specify the final date and time when deferrals are allowed. You can set multiple date deadlines with one of each type; focus, soft, and hard.
Also, if you don't specify a time for any date deadline option, the --schedule-workflow-active option can be used to ensure the deadline falls within your specified times.
The last date and time when automatic deferrals are allowed if the system is in user-enabled Focus/Do Not Disturb or when a process has requested that the display not go to sleep (for example, during an active meeting). After the focus date deadline has passed, the update restart dialogs always appear even if the user is in Focus/Do Not Disturb.
Command option example:
--deadline-date-focus=2024-10-17:14:00
Command option disable example:
--deadline-date-focus=X
Configuration profile example:
<key>FocusDate</key>
<string>2024-10-17:14:00</string>
At a minimum, you must always specify "year-month-day". Hours are represented by a 24-hour clock, and any non-specified hours or minutes are rounded to "00". When used along with the --deadline-date-soft or --deadline-date-hard options, logically the --deadline-date-focus value must always be the earliest in time. Also, other maximum count deadlines or days deadlines that have passed can override the focus date deadline.
You should also consider setting the --deferral-timer-focus option, otherwise the focus deferral timer is based on the default deferral timer.
When using test mode, you can simulate being past the focus date deadline by using a date and time value in the past:
--deadline-date-focus=2020-01-01
The last date and time before showing a soft deadline dialog. A soft deadline displays an interactive update restart dialog indicating that no more deferrals are allowed.
Command option example:
--deadline-date-soft=2024-10-17:14:00
Command option disable example:
--deadline-date-soft=X
Configuration profile example:
<key>SoftDate</key>
<string>2024-10-17:14:00</string>
At a minimum, you must always specify "year-month-day". Hours are represented by a 24-hour clock, and any non-specified hours or minutes are rounded to "00". When used along with the --deadline-date-focus or --deadline-date-hard options, logically the --deadline-date-soft value must always be after the --deadline-date-focus in time but before the --deadline-date-hard in time. Also, other maximum count deadlines or days deadlines that have passed can override the soft date deadline.
The date and time display can also be customized via script parameters.
When using test mode, you can simulate being past the soft date deadline by using a date and time value in the past:
--deadline-date-soft=2020-01-03
The days/date deadline update dialog
The soft days/date deadline dialog
If this date and time have passed the computer automatically restarts for updates without asking the user for approval. However, the user is notified that a restart is pending.
Command option example:
--deadline-date-hard=2024-10-17:14:00
Command option disable example:
--deadline-date-hard=X
Configuration profile example:
<key>HardDate</key>
<string>2024-10-17:14:00</string>
At a minimum, you must always specify "year-month-day". Hours are represented by a 24-hour clock, and any non-specified hours or minutes are rounded to "00". When used along with the --deadline-date-focus or --deadline-date-soft options, the
--deadline-date-hard value must always be the latest in time. Also, other maximum count deadlines or days deadlines that have passed can override the hard date deadline.
The date and time display can also be customized via script parameters.
When using test mode, you can simulate being past the hard date deadline by using a date and time value in the past:
--deadline-date-hard=2020-01-07
The days/date deadline update dialog
The hard days/date deadline restart notification
For computers with Apple silicon, saved local authentication or saved MDM authentication is required to enforce deadline workflows that target macOS updates or upgrades. Therefore, if you do not specify a saved authentication option, and the workflow target is a macOS updates or upgrade, then the user is prompted for their local password even if a soft or hard date deadline has passed.
The days/date deadline authentication dialog
Delete all locally set date deadlines, thus returning to the default of no date deadline.
Command option example:
--deadline-date-delete-all
This option can not be set via a MDM configuration profile. However, any other deadline options that are specified via a super MDM configuration profile remain in effect.