Words can be funny things. We’ve been known to say some strange things, but wording in UI can be strange, too. There are so many different words a button can say, but what does the word Now mean in a button? After you click the Install Now, the following happens:
- Prompt to accept Apple TOS
- Prompt to authenticate admin password
- Prompt to download update
- User waits on 3.09 GB download
- Prompt to restart
- Possible admin prompt to sign out other users
Does the word Now actually make sense in this context? Does the user expect additional steps after clicking or immediate action? User expectations are important and a button should usually tell the user what will happen before they click. If a user believes the action is immediate, they may not anticipate the additional steps would delay the process.
We would argue this button should say Download because that’s actually what happens when clicked. Windows uses Download & Install at a similar part of the flow and that could also be more accurate, but to copy wording is no fun. What about something like Start Update Now? But if our testing of macOS Ventura beta is any indicator, this button might go away, along with the System Preferences.