You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: santina34
santina34 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

MacOS Big Sur update not initiating

I have a macbook air mid 2014 on which I tried downloading the big sur 11.4 version from appstore, what is downloaded is just 28 mb. Tried running it, was able to click on agree to terms of software licence agreement, then clicked on continue when it said that it will be intalled on macintosh HD and this is where it stopped. Nothing else happening, no download initiating. Tried erasing and dowloading again, doesn't help. Tried terminal: softwareupdate -fetch-full-installer-version 11.4 and it didn't do anything. I also have 50 gb of free space.

iPhone 6s

Posted on Jul 13, 2021 4:50 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: HWTech
HWTech
User level: Level 9
60,578 points

Posted on Jul 13, 2021 1:23 PM

Do you have any anti-virus apps, cleaning apps, or third party security software installed that may be interfering? If so, uninstall those apps by following the developers instructions. These types of apps are not needed on a Mac and usually causes more problems than they solve plus they impact system performance.


You can also try booting into Safe Mode and try running the installer again.


If your laptop is running macOS 10.12.6+, then you should be able to boot into Internet Recovery Mode using Command + Option + R to access the online Big Sur installer. This option will require at least 50GB of free storage space. Just make sure to select the destination for the install to the "Macintosh HD" item (default name for the macOS boot volume unless you changed it). Do not install to any "Data" volume.


Make sure to have a good backup before attempting to upgrade macOS in case something goes wrong.


You should always have frequent and regular backups.

View in context

Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: HWTech
HWTech
User level: Level 9
60,578 points

Jul 13, 2021 1:23 PM in response to santina34

Do you have any anti-virus apps, cleaning apps, or third party security software installed that may be interfering? If so, uninstall those apps by following the developers instructions. These types of apps are not needed on a Mac and usually causes more problems than they solve plus they impact system performance.


You can also try booting into Safe Mode and try running the installer again.


If your laptop is running macOS 10.12.6+, then you should be able to boot into Internet Recovery Mode using Command + Option + R to access the online Big Sur installer. This option will require at least 50GB of free storage space. Just make sure to select the destination for the install to the "Macintosh HD" item (default name for the macOS boot volume unless you changed it). Do not install to any "Data" volume.


Make sure to have a good backup before attempting to upgrade macOS in case something goes wrong.


You should always have frequent and regular backups.

Reply

MacOS Big Sur update not initiating

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up