I've been trying for days unsuccessfully to install macOS Monterey on my 2019 imac. I have plenty of space on the SSD, and an ethernet connection. I have tried the installation from safe mode and recovery mode but nothing. I am collecting error messages. Does anyone share my frustration?
I've had better luck from the Safe Mode because I evidently have some 3rd party software that interferes with the installation so try the following:
#1 - boot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support.
NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3-5 minutes as it's doing the following;
• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed
• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)
• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically
• Disables user-installed fonts
• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files
#2 - go to the System/Software Update preference pane and begin the download.
#3 - run the installer from the Safe Mode.
I've had better luck from the Safe Mode because I evidently have some 3rd party software that interferes with the installation so try the following:
#1 - boot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support.
NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3-5 minutes as it's doing the following;
• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed
• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)
• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically
• Disables user-installed fonts
• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files
#2 - go to the System/Software Update preference pane and begin the download.
#3 - run the installer from the Safe Mode.
Try using the Terminal app to find the real Apple macOS installers. For how see the instructions included here:
I want to install macOS Monterey on my Ma… - Apple Community
Also, as discussed in that discussion there has been problems with Apple server that prevented using the browser links discussed here:
You can make a bootable installer as lllaass suggested by following this document: How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support
I've created several that way: Monterey, Big Sur, High Sierra and Mojave.
Got out of the deadlock in OSX Mojave by finding the OSX Catalina installer. Apparently it is not possible to make a direct migration from Mojave to Monterey but to do it progressively through the intermediate OSX. Crazy stuff. Thanks for your answer.
Please advise on where you found the OSX Catalina - I'm trying to bring up on my laptop, to fix frozen during upgrade on an iMac and make a bootable drive/installer on external drive and cannot find a way to down load either Mojave to reinstall it, OR Catalina to do the intermediate upgrade....
Thank you!
Apparently Apple has taken down the links of the old installers. Unfortunately the only way to do this is to search for the offline installer on some particular servers. I don't recommend this unless you know how to discriminate between a legitimate and a tampered installer. Another way that occurs to me at this moment is to try to download and get the installer from an old mac compatible with Catalina in update mode. The installer would be in the Applications folder.
Thank you lllaaass - still on with apple chat support - going on 3.5 hours and sounds like we are walking through reformatting the whole durn thing - - sob - - no recent backup -15 years since I last learned that lesson!
Thank you Old toad!!! I am running Disk Drill 4 recovery operations from Terminal (in Recovery mode) and hope to save them to brand new external hard drive - (my previous one not being recognized) AND found the info on how to install older OS things from Terminal - I'm not a guru - but was lost until I was told "scroll down and see the terminal" options which I heard shortly before seeing your reply - - - my fingers are crossed - but THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH (saying loudly and joyfully!) for taking the time to comment when I was a dumb-bunny on the update - :D
Thanks - doesn't matter which browser I use on which computer I have that is running, all those links do is give me a blank page...sigh
But Thank YOU SO much for the quick response! Appreciate it!
macOS Monterey UPDATE/INSTALLATION ERROR
