Can't install Mac OS Monterey and got stuck in an infinite loop on my MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2015)

I was able to finally load Monterey by first restarting in Safe Mode. I had spent hours downloading Monterey 4 times before getting it to work. Try that and see if it works for you. Never had this problem before.

Neil Myers wrote:

If you are still having problems installing Monterey and you have not tried doing it in Safe Mode (restart with shift key down until you see the wormy apple then release the shift key) and download Monterey again. It worked for me. I downloaded the thing 4 times with the 4th being the charm. Good luck. I see no info from Apple to help all the folks having trouble.

Does this qualify as help from ASC Forums

The description provided, maybe some other issue >> Lack of Empty Space on the Internal Drive. Since it will allow downloading the Full Installer ( 12.17 GB ) in size, the installer needs empty space to expand and then install. Apple states >> If upgrading from macOS Sierra or later, your Mac needs 26GB of available storage to upgrade. If upgrading from an earlier release, your Mac needs up to 44GB of available storage. 

If above is the source of the issue >>

What is “Other” storage on a Mac, and how can I clean it out?

Free up storage space on your Mac

OmniDiskSweeper Safe to use

How to delete Time Machine snapshots on your Mac

See used and available storage space on your Mac

• Other: Contains files that don’t fall into the categories listed here. This category primarily includes files and data used by the system, such as log files, caches, VM files, and other runtime system resources. Also included are temporary files, fonts, app support files, and plug-ins. You can't manage the contents of this category. The contents are managed by macOS, and the category varies in size depending on the current state of your Mac.

Initially I had 12 gigs and it didn't work. I then uninstalled several apps that I hadn't used for a long time I increased it to 50 gigs and it worked. After installation, I now have 62 gigs of free space.

Nowadays 128 is too small to work. Even my 256 gig machine is too small. One must have a minimum of 512 GB, even 1 TB of disk space.

Hello silentwings,

We see you're having issues upgrading to macOS Monterey, and we'd like to help out.

First, to help rule out issues with the current installer that was downloaded, go ahead and navigate to Finder > Applications, drag the 'Install macOS' app to the Trash, and then empty the Trash.

Then, you should be able to download a fresh installer from System Preferences > Software Update.

If the above step doesn't help, try temporarily uninstalling any antivirus/security software, and try to install it once more.

Take care.

Good to know Original SSD so that is ruled out.

The description provided, maybe some other issue >> Lack of Empty Space on the Internal Drive. Since it will allow downloading the Full Installer ( 12.17 GB ) in size, the installer needs empty space to expand and then install. Apple states >> If upgrading from macOS Sierra or later, your Mac needs 26GB of available storage to upgrade. If upgrading from an earlier release, your Mac needs up to 44GB of available storage. 

If above is the source of the issue >>

What is “Other” storage on a Mac, and how can I clean it out?

Free up storage space on your Mac

OmniDiskSweeper Safe to use

How to delete Time Machine snapshots on your Mac

See used and available storage space on your Mac

• Other: Contains files that don’t fall into the categories listed here. This category primarily includes files and data used by the system, such as log files, caches, VM files, and other runtime system resources. Also included are temporary files, fonts, app support files, and plug-ins. You can't manage the contents of this category. The contents are managed by macOS, and the category varies in size depending on the current state of your Mac.

If you are still having problems installing Monterey and you have not tried doing it in Safe Mode (restart with shift key down until you see the wormy apple then release the shift key) and download Monterey again. It worked for me. I downloaded the thing 4 times with the 4th being the charm. Good luck. I see no info from Apple to help all the folks having trouble.

" CleanMyMac " do so against all better judgement

As a testament to the destructive nature of this application.

The first 600 posting on the ASC Forums all point to Remove it and may even need to reinstall the OS afterwards to put thing right.

https://discussions.apple.com/search?q=cleanmymac

I fully agree with you that Apple has screwed up with Monterey. Only OS I ever had that much difficulty installing. I downloaded the thing 4 times - about 2 to 3 hours each time. When I did a safe restart before installing it the last time, it did go in.

Another point. Look at the size of OS Monterey and others before it. Then do an "About this Mac" and look at the storage being taken by "System". I have 44 GB. Much, much junk. Good way to sell computers that have more GB.

tommy1977 wrote:

Would expect if you have insufficient disk space that this is tested by the installer before he start installing the upgrade.

and not without any errors just look like it did the full upgrade but after you do the login you see that you are back on Big Sur

There are reasons why Apple makes Empty Space requirements Known and Published for all to see.

Then the user needs to due their Due Diligence to make sure the Requirements are met Before attempting the upgrade.

Point # 3 - Empty Space Requirements  >> If upgrading from macOS Sierra or later, your Mac needs 26GB of available storage to upgrade. If upgrading from an earlier release, your Mac needs up to 44GB of available storage. 

Have to ask - is the SSD in the machine an Original Apple SSD ?

Am seeing several persons with After-Market SSD and the Monterey installation requires an EFI Boot ROM flashed to the machine but can not because of this Third Party SSD

To answer the question from Silentwings, I don't know how much space was needed for the upgrade from Big Sur to Monterey. I currently am using about 100 GB and have 500 GB total so I have 400 GB for it to play with.

Good luck. Be sure to try loading in safe mode. I had to download the thing 4 times before getting it right. - Terrible!!

Monterey should install on any mac computer that Big Sur did assuming sufficient storage. If not, it is time for Apple to get moving and correct the problem.

I've stated my problem and solved it by using a safe restart first.

Neil

If the computer Qualifies for Monterey, has the required Empty Disk Space and has an Original Internal Drive , sure it should install.

If the computer has been had Hardware Modification ie: replace internal drive with Third Party SSD the outcome is questionable as proven by the many reports on the Monterey ASC Forums.

İn my case it was the lack of enough disk space that caused the issue. My macbook is 2019 Air and it shut down so stubbornly that I had to take it to Apple service to be corrected. Now it's OK:

Suggest you get rid of a lot of clutter on your machine. I use CleanMyMac. There is a lot of system junk in addition to all I put out there.