Mac OS Monterey update fail

Do you have an Apple SSD installed? I ask because I had problem with upgrading late 2013 MP to Monterey.

A while ago I replace the internal Apple SSD with an NVMe drive with adapter in my late 2013 MP. I successfully updated to Big Sur with no problem but could not update to Monterey. Could not even install Monterey on a blank external drive. Then I Googled and it appeared that an Apple internal SSD has to be installed in order to update the firmware and OS boot loader. I installed the original Apple SSD which had Mojave and updated successfully to Monterey. I then booted from my Big Sur NVMe SSD and successfully updated to Monterey. I am typing this from that OS now.

I have confirmed I have an aftermarket (OWC Aura) ssd. I had a fusion drive before, the apple certified repair shop I use thinks they can get me a OEM replacement drive. $$$ but I don't; want to do a work around to have to deal with this later, defeats having a Mac (its supposed to be hassle free right?).

It is solved. Finally.

I guys, sorry if my english is not the best.

I had same issue. I have a MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015). I changed my SSD few years ago, but I did it at an authorized Apple Service Center. Anyway, I tried to update to Monterey and had same messages.

Fortunately, I had the original SSD, and I followed all your recommendations: I reinstalled the original SSD and upgrade to Monterey. At first, I got the following error on the first try “The package “%@” is missing or invalid”, I rebooted it on SAFE MODE and repeat the process, it worked.

My MacBook rebooted couple of times for the system and firmware updates. Then, I reinstalled my new SSD and something happens than I have not seen reported on any comment.

My computer did not start, instead I only saw a folder image with a question mark on it and an internet address “https://support.apple.com”. It said that I had to reboot on Recovery Mode, I did it, and took the “Reinstall Big Sur” option. Once my computer was ready after couple hours, I tried to update to Monterey again from de new SSD y it worked perfectly.

Thanks to those who wrote their tips. I hope my extra could help someone else too.

Hi. I finally got the proper toolkit (thanks Santa) and was able to install the OEM apple 512 GB NVMe drive thst I grabbed from eBay.

I installed 12.1 Monterey (MacOS) and in the process… it updated the Max Pro’s firmware. I switched the drive back to the I gel 2TB NVMe drive, booted up… and did an install of Monterey. Since the firmware was updated… the Install proceeded like a dream.

the 2013 Max Pro is up and running… and is working flawlessly.

on the bright side, this delay let me skip the inevitable bugs that were out there in the origami Mo Terry release. Been suffering through some of them on my other Macs.

good luck gang… hope your issues are resolved. I goi g tomkeep

my hands in the OEM drive in case this situation occurs again.

Happy New Year!!!

I'm not sure what the issue is with that ssd. Actually, any size Apple ssd should work as it's only to accomplish the firmware update. So if you have a smaller, say 250, ssd that is original Apple hardware on a MacPro you can just pop it in, do the install of Monterey, take it out, put the larger ssd back in (the type won't matter), run the Monterey installer again and it should install without a problem. It's totally ridiculous that you would have to do this but if you're dealing with a 2013 Mac Pro or the newer one it's not a bad as having to crack open one of the newer MacBooks or MacBook Pros.

I would like to update you that my laptop resuscitated in Apple Store with the DFU solution. I am not sure about the problem but many people went to this Apple Store today for the same problem.

With Monterey and without losing data. I was told later in another thread they "revived" my laptop using DFU. I hope this helps people. It is so troublesome this may happen...

if you have the apple SSD then you should contact apple. The memory should make no difference I have a mix in my iMac and it works fine. What is your model/year?

• MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015)

I have the same "An error occurred while preparing the installation. Try running this application again." issue on my 2013 Mac Pro "Trash Can". It has the 6 Core Xeon... and the D500 twin Graphics. I tried updating to Monterey both before and after I updated to the macOS Big Sur 12.6.1. It still won't work.

I even just opened a terminal and ran the command "softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 12.0.1" to see if it would just pull down the whole update and that maybe I would get a different version than the one from the software update mechanism.

It seems that many people on the web are having this problem... and I am kind of surprised that their testing of the Monterey update did not reveal this.

If I wait two months before I check again, am I going to find out that I still won't be able to update? Kind of getting disappointed here. My 2016 MacBook works just fine and was doing well with the beta preview program. It upgraded successfully.

Anybody know what to do to get it to install? Hardware wise... the Mac Pro is plain vanilla. Thanks...

Hi, thanks for the response. I bought my 2013 Mac Pro about 2 years ago... and it was refurbished/2nd hand. The reseller put in two 1 TB Intel NVMe memory drives in it. I don't know If there are any native Apple NVMe drives out there... will have to check.

This could be why a bunch of people across the web are having trouble. For me...this is one big " :-( " ... while if this is dealing with MacBooks and MacBook Pros... your discovery will be very helpful to them. Good thing you kept the original drive.

I am going to have to do some looking. First I will check what NVMe drives the 2013 Mac Pro would have shipped with... and then see if there is one around that I can swap out and try... or just take my trash can into a certified Apple repair shop.

Thanks for pointing me in a direction to pursue, even if it may not be THE right direction for the Mac Pro. We shall see. Thanks for your kindness in helping me out. Hopefully you have already helped others who are having this same issue. I still think that Apple should have addressed this issue. ;-(

I just bought a 512 GB of certified refurbed Apple NVMe RAM... part number that works in the 2013 Mac Pro... will give it a shot.

I thought that I would just grab it before the memory is taken up by people trying to install Monterey and it all goes sky-high in price. Viva l'Ebay.

If this is not an issue.... and it does not work, I can always find somebody who needs it... it fits more than just the Mac Pro.

Thanks... ;-)