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Big Sur Installation (maybe download) failed.

After waiting for Big Sur to download, I click "Upgrade Now" in System Preferences > Software Update and get the following error: "Installation Failed: An error occurred while installing the selected updates."


I think the Big Sur download is bad. Does anyone know how I can clear out the Big Sur download and start fresh?

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Nov 12, 2020 1:23 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 18, 2020 5:49 PM

Hello Shepizzle,


We understand you are having an issue with updating your macOS and we're happy to help. Have you tried processing the update in a different user account? If you have another user account already set up, then you can use that one. If not, please follow the steps here: Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac to set up and test in a different user account. 


Best Regards


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 18, 2020 5:49 PM in response to Shepizzle

Hello Shepizzle,


We understand you are having an issue with updating your macOS and we're happy to help. Have you tried processing the update in a different user account? If you have another user account already set up, then you can use that one. If not, please follow the steps here: Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac to set up and test in a different user account. 


Best Regards


Nov 18, 2020 7:35 PM in response to Shepizzle

Welcome, Shepizzle, to Apple Support Communities!


I saw that exact error text in my Console log, when I was having those errors.


Looking at the set of errors, in the Console log, I could tell that the cause was a remote authentication server error.


Upon trying again, to double-check, the install re-downloaded and successfully installed, without me having to change a thing.


I am a bit surprised that the servers (including distributed servers) are still experiencing times of trouble.


However, the principle guidance I can give you is to be patient and persevere.

Big Sur Installation (maybe download) failed.

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