You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Can't update Monterey - says 13.8 GB required, but I have over 30 GB free!

I keep trying to update to Monterey 12.6 on Mac Air but it says I don't have sufficient disc space. I've removed much data and many apps. Storage says I now have over 30 GB free but still get insufficient disc space message.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 12.5

Posted on Sep 19, 2022 9:30 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 19, 2022 9:48 AM

it is often recommended to have ~50 GB free to perform an upgrade. while the download itself is only ~13 GB, the Mac needs to have room to expand the upgrade as well as moving things around while performing the upgrade.


if you are running low on space, you can purchase an external HDD or SSD of sufficient capacity and move your larger files (videos, pictures, documents, etc...) to it. once they are on the EHD, you can simply erase the same files from your internal drive. and, if it's just going to be used for storage, you can use an HDD and save a few bucks over the cost of an SSD. FWIW, i personally keep very little on my internal drive.


also, you may want to read these two articles:


Optimize storage space on your Mac


How to free up storage space on your Mac


additionally, you want to keep ~ 20% of your local drive as free space for proper operation of macOS.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 19, 2022 9:48 AM in response to KCountry

it is often recommended to have ~50 GB free to perform an upgrade. while the download itself is only ~13 GB, the Mac needs to have room to expand the upgrade as well as moving things around while performing the upgrade.


if you are running low on space, you can purchase an external HDD or SSD of sufficient capacity and move your larger files (videos, pictures, documents, etc...) to it. once they are on the EHD, you can simply erase the same files from your internal drive. and, if it's just going to be used for storage, you can use an HDD and save a few bucks over the cost of an SSD. FWIW, i personally keep very little on my internal drive.


also, you may want to read these two articles:


Optimize storage space on your Mac


How to free up storage space on your Mac


additionally, you want to keep ~ 20% of your local drive as free space for proper operation of macOS.

Sep 19, 2022 9:49 AM in response to KCountry

you must have 44GB to 50GB of free space.


the 13.8 GB It is the size of the file that is downloaded, but during the installation a backup is taken and the new system is installed and your files are returned, so you need at least 44GB to 50GB (I recommend that the space be larger).


You can upload your files to one or more of the cloud services (Google Drive (15GB free) - Mega (20GB free) - iCloud (5GB free) - MediaFire (up to 50GB free)) upload your photo & videos & files...


until you update the system and then return them afterwards or keep it on cloud service...

Can't update Monterey - says 13.8 GB required, but I have over 30 GB free!

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.