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I am trying to download macOS High Sierra and it is stuck on “about 16 minutes” and the bar will not go up. What should I do?
eMac
Boot into Recovery Mode and choose reinstall Mac OS. This will be an install "in place" and shouldn't affect any of your data files, but it's always best to have a backup.
You’re probably here because you were having issues with your previous install, and decided to try a re-install as a fix.
If the original issue was failed hardware, the re-install won’t help.
Install onto external scratch storage, and try to boot that.
The install on external scratch storage is the same as discussed here, though you’ll need and want to select an external scratch storage device as the target for the erasure, GUID/APFS formatting, and install. Anything already on that external scratch storage will be erased.
With an install on external scratch storage, you can at least boot and get a look around, and can potential run that way pending repair or replacement.
Also try Diagnostics, or Hardware Test, and see what that reports.
There used to be a method to install HighSierra with a disk formatted HFS+, and run HS on that.
I don't remember exactly (an extended install command) and it worked (I did it after Sierra, and reformatted to APFS half a year later).
See here for some more info:
https://osxdaily.com/2017/10/02/clean-install-macos-high-sierra/
Choose APFS.
Try installing in Safe Mode:
I did it, it is still stuck. The hard drive has 0 files and it seems brand new.
These are the only formats.
It comes up with a logo of a circle with a line on it, a error. 🚫 < It comes up with that logo but grey.
When I reinstall High Sierra, it still is stuck on 16 minutes.
Run Disk Utility > First Aid to check your hard drive.
OK, that explains a lot. There is no OS installed on the hard drive. Reformat the drive Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Then you should be able to install the OS.
Thank you so much! You just helped my whole family out, you are the best!
You're welcome.
Wait! When it is almost done, it says “could not create a preboot volume for APFS”
Argh! I was wondering why it was asking for AFPS instead of Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Did you have Mojave or Catalina installed on this before?
High Sierra not downloading
