How to update macOS to latest release of current version

softwareupdate only handles updates to the OS and bundled software, not purchased (/free) apps. The distinction isn't always obvious; the clearest way I have to describe it is that if an app is tied to (/owned by) a particular Apple ID, then softwareupdate won't handle it. Safari and iTunes are examples of apps that just come with the OS, therefore aren't owned by any specific Apple ID, and therefore are handled by softwareupdate. On the other hand, Slack is an app you "purchase" (it's free, but it's still technically a purchase) under your Apple ID in the App Store, therefore softwareupdate does not handle it.

Andrew Naylor has written a CLI interface to deal with App Store purchases (including updates), available from https://github.com/mas-cli/mas.

Update: in macOS Mojave, the distinction is clear in the GUI as well as at the command line. In Mojave, the App Store interface only handles updates to "purchased" apps, while OS and bundled software updates are handled by the Software Update pane in System Preferences. So "Software Update" preferences == softwareupdate command, and "App Store" application == Andrew Naylor's mas command.

I faced the same problem. The way I have solve the issue is given below.

1. I got the new xcode 10.1 from App Store. Though the problem existed.
2. Then I run xcode-select --install which didn’t work.
3. I update my homebrew by brew update. Than I run sudo xcode-select --reset.

Now it works fine.