Monterey Installer app fails preparing installation

When upgrading from Big Sur 11.6 to Monterey, the software update launches an installer app which goes through the preparing progress bar prior to restart. At the point where it says “closing applications and preparing to restart…” there’s a popup saying “An error occurred while preparing the installation. Try running the application again.”

Running the installer again fails at this step. Rebooting, resetting SMC, erasing and re-downloading the installer all do not fix the problem. The date and time are accurate. Disk Utility first aid doesn’t make any changes and skips over repairs. Has anyone managed to find a solution to this problem?

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Oct 25, 2021 8:32 PM

Top-ranking reply

joshuapinter

Level 1

14 points

Posted on Oct 27, 2021 7:08 PM

Use the original SSD.

I confirm the following worked great for me on my 2015 MacBook Pro 15".

Installed original SSD.
Installed fresh copy of Monterey via the USB stick onto the original SSD (it rebooted a bunch of times, indicating a firmware update).
Put the new SSD back in.
Booted off USB stick and upgraded to Monterey without a hitch.

It sucks if you don't have your original SSD but maybe you can get a cheap one off of the interwebs. Doesn't have to be big. Likely doesn't even have to be the same one that came with your unit. Most likely just *any* genuine Apple SSD.

Good luck.

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37 replies

moguySTL

Level 1

9 points

Nov 19, 2021 3:22 PM in response to CorvusCorax99

Are you upgrading from Big Sur? If not maybe try upgrading to that first? If so, then that is a strange thing that is occurring.

Nov 30, 2021 12:08 AM in response to James Ferguson

I submitted a bug report today:

https://feedbackassistant.apple.com/feedback/9787896

Oct 30, 2021 2:26 PM in response to tamas258

It is unclear at this time whether a 12.0.2 release or 12.1 release would change the installer and fix the problem.

If you can get any Apple-supplied drive, not necessarily the same as the one in your original hardware, you can install it and then install Monterey. That will update the EFI and then you can put the previous drive back in.

moguySTL

Level 1

9 points

Nov 13, 2021 6:18 PM in response to lisaroser

I could never get it to install on my old SSD with it in the USB enclosure for some reason. It would get to where it would start the install showing X minutes remaining but then would stop and restart into the recovery mode. So I had to open up my laptop, install the old drive, install Monterey using the usb install disk I made, ensure the firmware had upgraded to the necessary version needed to install on my new SSD, then I reinstalled the new SSD back in the laptop and installed Monterey using the downloaded installer from the App Store. Sure is a long workaround but seems to have worked fine and Monterey is running on my OWC drive now.

dw@hnm

Level 1

8 points

Nov 28, 2021 2:53 PM in response to James Ferguson

This is a BS issue. Its ridiculous for Apple to put out an upgrade for dedicated Apple users and not have it just do the simple task of upgrading the OS. I replaced my original 500GB SSD from my mid2015 MacBook Pro with a 2TB Fledging M13 SSD. It has worked perfect and kept my MacBook in top shape. I sold my original SSD drive due to the fact that during the time I have been using my M13 SSD One, I did not need it and Two, my MacBook upgrade to the last two upgrades with no issues at all. So why now change the game!!! Come on Apple fix your software so that everyone doesn't have to change SSD drives to get the upgrade! I will just keep using Big Sur until.

Oct 25, 2021 8:58 PM in response to James Ferguson

I read you have to turn off your firewall and or VPN before installing.

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Oct 26, 2021 12:47 PM in response to DavidM1997

Try borrowing an App SSD in order tu0 update firmware , or what James has already said.

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Monterey Installer app fails preparing installation