[GH-ISSUE #4999] Add auto-update mechanism on macOS (in-app updates like Tailscale) to avoid manual .pkg installs #9681

New Issue

saavagebueno · 2026-08-05T01:23:04-04:00

saavagebueno commented

2026-08-05 01:23:04 -04:00

Originally created by @maxpain on GitHub (Dec 28, 2025).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/4999

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
Yes. Updating the macOS app currently requires manually downloading a new .pkg and running the installer each time. This is inconvenient, easy to forget, and adds friction for keeping endpoints up-to-date (especially across multiple Macs). Tailscale provides a smooth in-app auto-update experience, and NetBird feels behind on macOS maintenance because of the manual update flow.

Describe the solution you'd like
Add a built-in auto-update mechanism for the macOS client, ideally with:
• Automatic update checks (e.g., daily/weekly) and a “Check for Updates…” action in the app/menu.
• In-app download + install (or a guided update flow) without requiring the user to manually fetch a .pkg.
• Clear release notes + version info.
• Optional settings: auto-download updates, auto-install updates, update channel (stable/beta) if applicable.
• Safe behavior: verify signatures, fail gracefully, and allow postponing.

Additional context
Auto-updates are a major usability and security improvement: users stay on supported versions, bugfixes roll out faster, and support burden decreases. Tailscale is a good reference for the expected macOS experience here.

Originally created by @maxpain on GitHub (Dec 28, 2025). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/4999 **Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.** Yes. Updating the macOS app currently requires manually downloading a new .pkg and running the installer each time. This is inconvenient, easy to forget, and adds friction for keeping endpoints up-to-date (especially across multiple Macs). Tailscale provides a smooth in-app auto-update experience, and NetBird feels behind on macOS maintenance because of the manual update flow. **Describe the solution you'd like** Add a built-in auto-update mechanism for the macOS client, ideally with: • Automatic update checks (e.g., daily/weekly) and a “Check for Updates…” action in the app/menu. • In-app download + install (or a guided update flow) without requiring the user to manually fetch a .pkg. • Clear release notes + version info. • Optional settings: auto-download updates, auto-install updates, update channel (stable/beta) if applicable. • Safe behavior: verify signatures, fail gracefully, and allow postponing. **Additional context** Auto-updates are a major usability and security improvement: users stay on supported versions, bugfixes roll out faster, and support burden decreases. Tailscale is a good reference for the expected macOS experience here.

saavagebueno added the feature-request label 2026-08-05 01:23:04 -04:00

saavagebueno commented

2026-08-05 01:23:04 -04:00

@coderabbitai[bot] commented on GitHub (Dec 28, 2025):

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@coderabbitai[bot] commented on GitHub (Dec 28, 2025):  ### 📝 CodeRabbit Plan Mode Generate an implementation plan and prompts that you can use with your favorite coding agent. - [ ]  Create Plan <details> <summary>Examples</summary> - [Example 1](https://github.com/coderabbitai/git-worktree-runner/issues/29#issuecomment-3589134556) - [Example 2](https://github.com/coderabbitai/git-worktree-runner/issues/12#issuecomment-3606665167) </details> --- <details> <summary><b>🔗 Similar Issues</b></summary> **Related Issues** - https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/4786 - https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/4788 - https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/4976 - https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/4906 - https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/4892 </details> <details> <summary><b>👤 Suggested Assignees</b></summary> - [spupuz](https://github.com/spupuz) - [manpreettrehan](https://github.com/manpreettrehan) - [marco-brandizi](https://github.com/marco-brandizi) - [stich86](https://github.com/stich86) - [pierrechapuis](https://github.com/pierrechapuis) </details> --- <details> <summary> 🧪 Issue enrichment is currently in open beta.</summary> You can configure auto-planning by selecting labels in the issue_enrichment configuration. To disable automatic issue enrichment, add the following to your `.coderabbit.yaml`: ```yaml issue_enrichment: auto_enrich: enabled: false ``` </details> 💬 Have feedback or questions? Drop into our [discord](https://discord.gg/coderabbit)!

saavagebueno commented

2026-08-05 01:23:04 -04:00

@marco-brandizi commented on GitHub (Jan 5, 2026):

This is useful in general, but personally, I prefer to manage updates via Homebrew and this typically requires headless updates (without any need to launch a GUI), see #4976.

@marco-brandizi commented on GitHub (Jan 5, 2026): This is useful in general, but personally, I prefer to manage updates via Homebrew and this typically requires headless updates (without any need to launch a GUI), see #4976.

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Reference: DYNR/netbird#9681