macOS Update Assistant stuck updating

Hello Carter_b14.

Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities. We understand that you are having issues updating your MacBook Air. We will be glad to assist.

Let's start up in safe mode to see if that helps: How to use safe mode on your Mac

Cheers.

The only way I could get out of the update loop was to erase my HD and factory reset. The BigS*** update said it required 13GB or similar space and I had 15GB. Turns out it actually needs 35GB at least! And if you don't have 35GB you get stuck. It is very disappointing as I had a lot of videos, photos, and business documents which were all stored on the HD. Alternatively you could transfer you HD data to another Macbook (if you have one!).

@everyone:

read the reply from @ClassicII

which points to an excellent analysis of the bug in Big Sur upgrade.

ΑppIe would be well advised to remove the "Big Sur" installer as long as they don't fix the bug in the upgrade

procedure leading to the boot disk and its data loss.

@everyone:

wait for ΑppIe to announce they have fixed and tested their upgrade procedure before installing Big Sur.

I have exactly the same issue. Did you get it sorted?

Yes sir!

https://mrmacintosh.com/big-sur-upgrade-not-enough-hd-space-serious-issue-possible-data-loss/

Try going to apple, I’m booked for tomorrow. My friend had hers today and they fixed it apparently, will update

Another excellent link to read:

Big Sur upgrade bug in verifying disk space available

@Carter_b14: to be helpful to everyone, could you tell us if the reboot in "safe mode" as suggested by @Leanne_68

was successful or impossible?

Here you were insufficiently helped by Apple because there is always a way to recover all your data

before reaching such a point of total loss. Of course this kind of help require some more time, care and

an external disk.

I’m in a constant loop of restart startup disk issues. Unable to startup in safe mode. This upgrade is horrible. We shouldn’t have to wipe our computers for this!

I have the same problem! Hey Apple care do you think it’s normal? Take some responsibility and don’t let out updates before they working correctly!?!? What a ****?

Oh my goodness this has been my

life the last 24hours. Help!!