Update to macOS Big Sur 11.1 from 11.0.1 fails

Safe mode had no bearing on fixing this. Tried SMC and nvram resets with no luck.

Wound up downloading and applying MacOS Big Sur 11.1 from the app store. All is well now.

I think I had an issue with com.apple.os.update being undersized after applying Big Sur 11.0.1

That worked thanks. Disconnected all the USB-A and USB-C cables. Ran disc utility first aid in Recovery Mode. Restarted in Safe Mode and it completed installation and booted up. Shutdown, reconnected all the USB cables, restarted without a hitch. Still loosing too many hours on this stuff and will sit out the next couple of updates.

There is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN or security apps on your Mac.  You found that out just now.

This user tip describes what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community   

Uninstall Kaspersky according to the developer's instructions.

OK this worked for me:

1) back everything up (CYA (cover your ***))

2) download full Big sur 11.1 (12gb)

3) disconnect wifi/ethernet once downloaded*

4) restart in safe mode

5) instal

6) job done

Apple support didn't even try this method with me. * if wifi or ethernet is on update will fail. The problem is not 3rd party software as previously claimed by apple. the issue is within the script when update calls home to apple)

OK this worked for me:

1) back everything up (CYA (cover your ***))

2) download full Big sur 11.1 (12gb)

3) disconnect wifi/ethernet once downloaded*

4) restart in safe mode

5) instal

6) job done

I was having this problem, too. I resolved it by going to the App Store, searching for Big Sur, and downloading it there. This approach worked.

I had a tiny 36 GB external disk partition as a Big Sur test-bed with only 9 GB free space. The v11.0.1 to 11.1 update repeatedly failed there during the last two days. I then used Carbon Copy Cloner to clone that to a bigger 64 GB partition and then the update succeeded.

Safe mode worked for me on my 2018 Mac mini and so far I've had no major issues with 11.1. I had to update a couple of programs but so far (knock wood) things are running well. If you have any USB drives connected, be sure to eject those before trying the install, even in safe mode. I think they may somehow interfere though not sure why. Once the install completed and rebooted, everything reconnected.

Yes, i had the same problem as others. Starting with SafeMode solved my problem.

After 5-6 attempts, my last attempt was to start my 2019 Mac Air (Big Sur 11.0.1) in safe mode and finally I was able to install 11.1 successfully.

I also am a regular user and not a system admin but finally after many tries solved the problem via safe boot.

Apple customer service in JP was not aware of this problem (most likely they knew but did not want to admit it).

I was able to finally apply the upgrade to 11.1 after booting into safe mode. I'm not sure how long it actually took because I left for 3 hours when it was installing. So it took less than 3 hours.

1) Download the full version of the MacOS 11.1 under 11.0.1.

2) Reboot to safe mode

3) Install the downloaded MacOS 11.1

Right, download the FULL version of the MacOS Big Sur (version 11.1 - 12.6GB) from the App store (not the 3.xxGB update file from the Software Update)!

thanks okaywokey. i chatted with apple support and we did a SMC reset then i got it installed OK but it took 5.5 hours

To follow on, I can confirm after reboot and installation, 11.1 is now installed with Kaspersky running as usual. So disabling internet security for the download worked for me.