Cannot Update to macOS Monterey 12.5

  More than one antivirus app - This computer has multiple antivirus apps installed.

  Antivirus software: Apple, Avira, and ClamXAV

Uninstall Avira and ClamXAV. The built-in security is all that is required, and those others conflict with each other and system security, reduce performance and cause issues - they are the most likely cause for many of your current problems.

Effective defenses against malware and other threats

is a great post about keeping your mac secure.

Also: you are getting a tad low on free space. Not dangerously low, but something to keep an eye on.

It may be enough to use the mac, and to update to 12.5, but it wouldn't be enough free space for an upgrade, like the coming Ventura.

Your version of VirtualBox should probably updated, it is a bit behind.

Oh! Drat! Beyond the rest, you have remnants of... cleanmymac. That is poison.

You should really get rid of it completely.

In the end, you may need to do a clean install.

Thank you for re-running the EtreCheck application and posting the newest Report.

A couple of things that jump out.

Specifically to the UpGrade.

Has the Drive Finished Decrypting the FileVault Enable drive before the upgraded as been attempted ? It should not have any bearing but worth the question.

EtreCheckPro version: 6.6.1 (66021)

Report generated: 2022-07-23 09:45:05

Major Issues:  Anything that appears on this list needs immediate attention. 

Q - No Time Machine backup - Time Machine backup not found.

A - Under this setup - anything important is expandable and can be replaced or reproduced

Q - Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed that could be malicious and should be reviewed.

A - Self explanatory. It will require the user ( you ) to review and where required, action

Minor Issues:

Q -   Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed. These files could be old, incompatible, and cause problems. They should be reviewed.

A - Self explanatory. It will require the user ( you ) to review and where required action including updating / upgrading or outright replacing

Q - Hardware Information:  MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

  2.40 GHz Apple M1 (m1) CPU: 8-core

Drives:

Q -   disk0 - APPLE SSD AP0256Q 251.00 GB (Solid State - TRIM: Yes) 

A - To compare, have the exact same machine only without the FileVault Encryption enabled. Upgraded Friday from 12.4 to 12.5 and not issues at all.

Q - disk3s5 - Data [APFS Virtual drive]

    245.11 GB (Shared - 175.64 GB used, 70.96 GB available, 51.40 GB free)

    Mount point: /System/Volumes/Data

    Encrypted

A - Covered this is preamble above

Q - /Library/Application Support/VirtualBox

[Not Loaded] VBoxDrv.kext - org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (6.0.24)

A - The Developer of this software makes it very difficult to get accurate information regarding running their VM software on Apple Silicon M1 / M2 computers. I am reasonable sure I have seen this Specific Software is Designed to run on Intel Apple Computer. Yes, Rosetta 2 may be invoked but at the same time will not perform as well as Other VM Software that is supported on Apple Silicon

A - Since the machine appears to be having issues moving up from 12.2.1 to 12.5 would suggest downloading via below instruction

Terminal command below

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 12.3.1

This will download the Full Version of 12.3.1 ( 12.17 GB ) and will place a new application is Applications folder called " Install Monterey ".

It will Not Auto Launch

The user will require launching it just like any other application and follow the prompts.

It will Auto Restart several times before completion

There is still a remnant of avast:

[Loaded] com.avast.av.uninstaller.xpc.plist (AVAST Software a.s. - installed 2021-02-21)

You should delete it.

Restart in Safe Mode, and

In Finder, press Command-Shift-G and paste

~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.avast.av.uninstaller.xpc.plist

drag the file to the trash.

While you are there, try doing the update while still in Safe Mode.

Still Running behind a VPN - org.openvpn.client.plist (OPENVPN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - installed 2021-03-10)

APPLE SSD AP0256Q 251.00 GB (Solid State - TRIM: Yes)

245.11 GB (Shared - 15.75 GB used, 60.60 GB available, 40.91 GB free)

And running low on Empty Space

it is suggested to keep at least 15%  to 20% of the Drive Total Capacity as Empty Space for good operations of the computer and for additional updates to Monterey to download, expand and install.

That would equate to 36 GB to 49 GB Empty Space

Again, very much agree with the analysis presented by @Luis S. and the actions suggested.

Only as points of reference for the Future and one this computer situation is remedied

1 - There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS, because of the underling UNIX  Foundation and Permission Limitation. 

Additionally, and specific to Big Sur macOS 11 and Monterey macOS 12, the Operating System resides in a Sealed and Read Only Volume that can not be opened by the User or “ Bad Actor “ Software.

The Only thing this Antivirus software is protecting is the Bank Account of the Developers and for zero return to the User aside from the problems this software creates.

AntiVirus Developers purposefully Market their product to create a “ Fear Factor “. In so doing, creating a False Need to for their Product.

2 - Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS,  is an invitation for disaster and comprising the Operating System

Any of the below should be removed as per Developers Instructions 

This will include CleanMyMac

Avira

Please read some of the posting specific to the two above Softwares and arrive at your own conclusions.

Last resort - Use macOS Recovery on a Mac with Apple silicon and choose Reinstall macOS

This will, in Theory, pull down the latest update his computer qualifies to run and commence the installation

It should be Monterey 12.5

If the other Problematic computer is Intel - some method but use the Command + r ( two key combination ) at Startup

I think the suggestion by P. Phillips is the best, but if you cannot go to an Apple Store, you can try using Apple's free Configurator app to revive or restore the Mac. It will require two Macs (which you have). If you wish to try it, see the instructions here - Revive or restore an Intel-based Mac using Apple Configurator - Apple Support

Make sure you have a Time Machine backup (at least) then reinstall MacOS.

How to reinstall macOS – Apple Support (UK)

I think there are 3 areas to check:

1. Space on Disk: This is easy, I think this is not your problem. :-)
2. Reboot: Does your Mac reboot or is it happening, that it shuts down and is off, if this is the case, you have to press the power button once, if the update goes into reboot. (The first reboot fails)
3. complete Installation: You can download the complete macOS Version 12.5 (Monterey) and install the OS new, this could help also, if the previous updates have left some inconsistency.

I don't know, if this helps, but in my case 2. did make the update.

:-)

-volker

In addition to the previous posts: how much free space do you have in the system drive?

To add to the very good advise from @Luis S regarding Etrecheck application.

It is safe to use but just be sure to use the Developers version and Not the Apple Store version

It will inventory both the Hardware and Software and will Not Reveal any Personal Information.

Should a VPN, Antivirus Software or worst still, have a known Disk Optimizer Application installed this this will all show up in the Full Report if run with Full Disk Access.

The biggest difference, which may have not be mentioned in earlier posting was the Older computer had a 1small Internal Drive and had limited Empty Space on the drive.

There is a Major different between Wiping the Drive and then Reinstalling and just Reinstalling over an existing installation.

A Wipe and then Install would free up all available space on the drive and lay down a New Version.

Perhaps I was not clear or misunderstood the situation. If so, that is my bad ☺️

Am no hardware expert but some of the code is last pic seems to read ".apple.pkg.IncompatibleAppList.12_0.16U2172 " and

" [SUMacControllerErrorScanNoUpdateFound=7301] and " scan for SFR software update failed: "

At this point a visit to an Apple Authorized Service centre or Apple Genius Bar is in order

They have the special Hardware , software and expertise plus the on-hands to the computer

What P. Phillips said.

Please run Etrecheck and post its full report here using the additional text button below your message.

What is the Output of this Terminal command below ?

softwareupdate --list-full-installers