macOS 10.14.3 Update can't be installed on this disk...

My bad. I have 3 hard drives showing in System Report and all this time I've been looking at the wrong one (the default first listing, which is alphabetical, is not the boot drive, but one of the 2 backups which are both HFS+). The iMac is APFS.

I updated 2 laptops last night from 10.14.2 to 10.14.3 using the System Update (not the combo download) and both went through without a problem. System Update seems to take a while to tell me that an update is available. Each laptop told me that 10.14.2 was the current version until I waited it out and clicked on the Advanced button and waited some more. But I've had that behavior on previous Mac updates as well as iOS updates on devices, where the updater just doesn't have the latest information. It used to be you'd get popups telling you there was an update available and I haven't seen those in a while.

After the Update install and then the Combo Update install, both times the version number shows as 10.14.3 (18D42). So I don't really know if it makes a difference, but I just feel better doing the Combo Update.

::smdh::

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Thank you for the clarification.

In my (humble) defense I thought I was on topic via my assertion that it is a fact that only a small minority of Apple users employ the Combo and that is why up to now the issue has not been a priority to Apple.

I did not equate the "it is this, thus that" logical construct would be interpreted as a speculation on Apple policies or procedures. But I was obviously wrong and apologize for my bad judgement.

I shall cease active participation in the dialectic and simply lurk.

Thank your kind reply... and for the use of the hall.

It has an updated distribution list inside (more macOS builds can be updated), a different size (2.51 GB) than the original one (2.49 GB), and the pkg installer has been saved January 24 (vs. January 16) … ;-)

Chris [macfix.ch]

In my case the OTA update didn't work. When I click on 'Update Now' it prompts me to 'Download and Restart' (even though its downloaded already. I can see it in /Library/Updates). When I click on 'Download and Restart' it goes back to "An Update is available for you". Nothing happens. So, that's why I'm trying to download the Combo Update.

FYI, it worked fine on my 2017 MacBook Pro, but it doesn't work on 2018 MacBook Air.

If you just select the Mojave upgrade it will download and install the latest version of Mojave. The issue with the 10.14.3 combo update has been fixed but you can't upgrade from 10.13 from that you have to use the full installer.

software update doesn't work either :( it actually tells me "no updates available"

either apple has not sorted it out yet, or this is their way to push me into buying a new laptop instead of my 2011 MacBook Air that is still perfect for my needs. disappointing.

andrea

Just curious, why would you download the Combo Update instead of updating through Software Update? I updated to 10.14.3 on 5 different Macs using Software Update without a hitch.

can you please send or upload the edited distribution file?

I tried but dont know what to edit

That's what I am worried about.

On the other hand, I've not had problems installing Mojave updates in the past.

Yeah but that's pointless, I found the problem and described it earlier, did you tell them that, a few days is a bit much, crack the whip.

Just out of curiosity, what is a "Delta" and why would you install the Combo after installing it?