Mac App Update Manager FAQ and Compatibility
Everything you need to know about getting started with Verzio, supported update sources, and frequently asked questions about the macOS update manager.
Getting started
- Download & install — Download Verzio from our website, drag it to your Applications folder, and launch it. The Free tier works without an account or credit card.
- Scan your apps — On first launch, Verzio scans your Mac for installed applications across Homebrew, the App Store, and direct downloads. This takes just a few seconds.
- Stay updated — Verzio checks for updates and notifies you when new versions are available. Install updates individually for free, or use Pro for bulk updates and scheduled auto-install.
- Read Verzio AI summaries — Instead of cryptic changelogs, get clear, one-sentence summaries of what changed and why it matters to you.
Supported update sources
- Homebrew — Verzio detects CLI tools and Cask apps and can run individual updates from its interface. Pro adds supported scheduled auto-install workflows.
- App Store — Deep integration with the Mac App Store. Verzio shows pending updates and can install them on your behalf when possible.
- Sparkle & Electron — Verzio detects supported Sparkle feeds and Electron update mechanisms, shows available versions, and keeps the source visible before installation.
- GitHub releases — Track releases from any public GitHub repository. Get notified when your favorite open-source tools ship new versions.
Frequently asked questions
- What macOS versions are supported?
- Verzio requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later. It's built as a native SwiftUI application using Swift 5.9+ and is optimized for the latest macOS releases.
- Is Verzio free?
- Verzio Free includes unlimited app tracking, Homebrew, App Store and Sparkle update detection, individual manual updates, and notifications. Pro unlocks scheduled auto-install, bulk 'Update All', custom source rules, AI changelog summaries, the AI release notes finder, force-close workflows, and priority support.
- Does Verzio collect my data?
- The Verzio desktop app has no usage analytics and does not upload your installed-app list. It contacts update sources to check for and download updates; licensing and optional AI features also use network services. The website uses limited, cookieless aggregate measurement described in the privacy policy.
- How does the AI summary feature work?
- Optional Pro AI features use network services to summarize public release information, such as release notes and the app name. They do not upload your installed-app inventory. See the Verzio AI page for details.
- What is the AI release notes finder?
- When an app ships generic notes like 'Bug fixes and improvements', Verzio's AI finder automatically searches the web for real release notes. It uses known changelog URLs for popular apps (Raycast, Cursor, Docker, 1Password, Chrome, and more) and tries common paths like /changelog and /release-notes on the app's homepage. Results are cached locally per app version.
- Can I exclude certain apps from being managed?
- Yes. Right-click any app and choose 'Ignore' to remove it from update checks. Ignored apps are still scanned but excluded from notifications and the update list. You can restore them anytime from Preferences → Apps → Ignored Apps. You can also exclude entire directories from scanning via Preferences → Scanning.
- Does Verzio auto-update apps without asking?
- By default, Verzio only notifies you and lets you choose when to install. With Pro, you can enable auto-install during scheduled checks — Verzio will update Sparkle apps, Homebrew Cask apps, and Custom source apps automatically. It can even silently force-close running apps before installing. Mac App Store apps cannot be auto-installed due to sandbox restrictions. Schedules are fully configurable: hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly at your preferred time.
- What update sources does Verzio support?
- Verzio supports Homebrew for CLI tools and Cask apps, Mac App Store updates, Sparkle appcast feeds, Electron-based apps, GitHub Releases (beta), Google Update for supported Chromium-based apps, and Custom Sources (Pro). Verzio automatically detects the best available source for each app.
- What happens if an update breaks something?
- Verzio keeps a detailed update history log with app name, version changes (from → to), date, and source type. The default retention is 30 days. While Verzio doesn't handle rollbacks directly, the history helps you pinpoint which update caused an issue. You can view per-app or global history.
- How do scheduled checks work?
- Verzio can check for updates automatically on a schedule — hourly (default), every 4 or 12 hours, daily, weekly, or monthly. You can set a preferred time of day and day of week. Auto-install has its own independent schedule so you can check often but install on your terms. All scheduling is handled locally with no external service.
- What languages does Verzio support?
- Verzio is currently available in English, Dutch, and Brazilian Portuguese. The app respects your macOS system language by default, or you can override it in Preferences.
- How do I get support?
- You can reach us at support@verzio.pro or through the Support link in the app. We typically respond within 24 hours.