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Can I update to Monterey using an installer on an external hard drive

I would like update to macOS Monterey but don't have enough space on my hard drive, mainly because the installer is taking up so much space. Would it be possible to load the installer onto an external hard drive, delete the installer from my MacBook, and update the MacBook from the external hard drive?

Posted on Nov 29, 2021 2:14 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 30, 2021 1:51 AM

It appears, from the above statements, this computer may have the tiny 128 GB SSD ? If this is correct - one is going to be hard pressed to create enough Empty Space to allow the Installer to Expand and then install.


Even if one is successful in make the Required Space - Empty Space afterwards is suggested to keep at least 15% of the Drive Total Capacity as Empty Space for good operations of the computer and for additional updates to Monterey . That 15% of 128 GB SSD equal 19.1 GB as Empty Space at all times.




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


The final word from Apple on Managing the " Other " Category


  • 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.



4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 30, 2021 1:51 AM in response to anautilus

It appears, from the above statements, this computer may have the tiny 128 GB SSD ? If this is correct - one is going to be hard pressed to create enough Empty Space to allow the Installer to Expand and then install.


Even if one is successful in make the Required Space - Empty Space afterwards is suggested to keep at least 15% of the Drive Total Capacity as Empty Space for good operations of the computer and for additional updates to Monterey . That 15% of 128 GB SSD equal 19.1 GB as Empty Space at all times.




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


The final word from Apple on Managing the " Other " Category


  • 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.



Can I update to Monterey using an installer on an external hard drive

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