Errors while updating from 11.7.2 Big Sur to Ventura 13.1 or Monterey 12.1

macOS Big Sur

Version 11.7.2

MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)

2.6 GHz 6-core Intel Core i7

16 GB 2667 MHz DDR4

Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB

I have been trying to complete the newest software update. I have not been updating regularly which I am assuming may be one of my problems. I tried to upgrade to macOS Ventura 13.1, which is what shows when I got to software update in system preferences.

I get this error every time I attempt the upgrade. I have restarted, restarted in safe mode, as well as tried to reinstall the Mac OS from recovery mode. None of it works. Always the same result.

I have used WiFi and ethernet. I've scoured this board to try and find a fix.

When I am try it in recovery mode it gives me this status bar screen:

But doesn't move from that. It stays "about 2 hours and 21 minutes remaining" for about 20 minutes and then it gives me this error:

I tried to move from Big Sur to Monterey thinking that perhaps I needed to go from 11 to 12 before 13. This is the error I get when I try to upgrade to Monterey:

“The operation couldn’t be completed. (PKDownloadError error 8.)"

I'm not sure what is wrong and I would love any advice on how to fix this. I appreciate any help! Thanks!

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 11.7

Posted on Dec 23, 2022 5:36 PM

Top-ranking reply

James Brickley

Level 5

5,692 points

Posted on Dec 26, 2022 1:04 PM

You are correct about not leapfrogging macOS versions that can result in a lot of trouble. Upgrading to Monterey first is highly recommended.

First thing I would do is create a bootable USB flash installer of Big Sur. Then I would boot from the flash installer and unlock the internal disk and run Disk Utility First Aid on the internal SSD. I would run it multiple times. Be sure to click the View menu and Show All Devices. Start from the APFS container disk volume and then progress upwards to each other container volume then test the container level itself and then the entire hardware disk. I suspect it's going to find and fix disk problems. You will need a USB flash disk that is 16GB or larger.

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

You may need to get into Recovery mode and go to Utilities menu and click on Startup Security and allow USB Booting so you can actually boot from the installer USB flash drive.

Use Terminal to list the versions of macOS available and download Monterey using this Mac and no other Mac.

softwareupdate --list-full-installers

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 12.6.2

That will create /Applications/Install macOS Monterey

Then try booting into Safe Mode by holding the Shift key while powering on until you reach the login prompt. Let go of Shift and then login. A second login will appear, login again. Then go to Applications and run the Install macOS Monterey.

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Errors while updating from 11.7.2 Big Sur to Ventura 13.1 or Monterey 12.1

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