Ventura 13.1 Failed to Prepare Update

all that those apps are good for is interfering with macOS. they waste system resources while providing zero benefits. I'm surprised that it has taken that long to become an issue. and I would permanently remove it, not just for the update, but forever.

as an afterthought, I'll recommend that you read Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community. it's a long article, but it's worth your time to read every word.

Terminal command below

softwareupdate --list-full-installers

Is 13.1 listed ?

Terminal command below

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 13..1

Erasing All content and Settings helped in my case. Successfully Updated to 13.1!

I'm kinda stumped as well. but I do have one more suggestion. you can try and Start up your Mac in safe mode and then try and apply the update while in safe mode.

if that fails, i'm thinking you should download and run the free version of EtreCheck so we can see if you have some software installed that is causing your issue. make sure you give "full disk access" to etrecheck. Learn how to use it by reading Using EtreCheck. if you need help interpreting the report, you can see how to post the report here by reading How to use the Add Text Feature When Posting Large Amounts of Text, i.e. an Etrecheck Report. and it automatically obscures sensitive things (like serial numbers) so you don't have to worry about sharing the report here.

If nothing has changed with the installer, one of the last things I tried is downloading Onyx for Ventura and running its maintenance script. After finishing, it suggested running Disk Utility in safe mode, which I did.

Although I do remember that the installer didn't work immediately after, otherwise I would have told you guys earlier. But perhaps the maintenance triggered some other background apps and that cleared some flags that the installer needs to work. The installer worked the next day.

Shooting in the dark here since I don't know the actual programmed installer requirements.

Hope this helps.

Fast question, is the connection during all these failures on a Corporate connection ?

Of over a home internet connection?

so yeah. just leave the Mac alone until success or failure. when you see "20 minutes remaining" it can actually take MUCH LONGER than 20 minutes.

Go to settings, Then "General" Tab. You can Find "Transfer or Reset" Option. There you Can find "Erase All Content and Settings".

it will be in your applications folder under "install MacOs Ventura."

Shivam Parikh wrote:

The wifi is super stable and I have other machines that have updated without any issues.

I would still recommend that you move the mac as close as possible to the router, and temporarily remove your other devices from the wi-fi.

in that case you obviously won't need to trash it before starting over with the new download. :)

Agree with @jefferythefrog

20 minutes can be 30 - 45 minutes and another Pause listed at 10 Minutes ( but really maybe 30 Minutes and then Pause a 5 Minutes for what seems forever as it seems to Verify All aspects of the Download

No.

It is what we sometimes call an " In Place Installation "

What it does do, is install Over the Existing version of Ventura ( say version 13.0.1 ) and replace aspects of the Operating System with the Current version 13.1

It should not touch your Applications. Setting, Preferences or Personal Data

If the User really whats a detailed analysis of the Etrecheck Report - We will dissect it in detail. 

That maybe an " Over Kill " but at the same time may also be very illuminating as the extent this OS has been modified which will all play directly into existing issue.

Await instruction ?

EDITED