M2 mac mini fails to update to 13.4

The command is softwareupdate. For details and syntax:

man softwareupdate

List, download, and Install are the major verbs for this task.

softwareupdate —-list
softwareupdate —-download {quoted kit name}
softwareupdate --install {quoted kit name}

To update everything:

softwareupdate —-install —-all

macOS itself has some added options:

softwareupdate --list-full-installers
softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version {dotted-version}

You will also need to prepend with sudo to install, as root/Admin access is required.

Ventura 13.4 - Downloading the Installer (NOTE: This going to be a lot more to download than just using an update), but it will work. If at home, disconnect from the VPN so you get your ISP's full bandwidth. Using any web browser, download the following URL (it is almost 12GB): https://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/63/49/032-84910-A_3SSTBN1HDA/h89vitwfbzt54jcbwpfwkmrn12smedicny/InstallAssistant.pkg The above URL will download InstallAssistant.pkg to your Downloads folder. Double-Click on the InstallAssistant.pkg file. This will place a copy of the app "Install macOS Ventura" in the Applications folder. NOTE: Before starting the installation, it is wise to backup any important files before applying a major operating system upgrade. Finder -> Go (menu) -> Applications -> Install macOS Ventura Double-Click on "Install macOS Ventura" This should start the Ventura installation. After the installation is complete, check the System Settings -> General -> Software Update and make sure there are no incremental updates available (hopefully not, but check to make sure).

InsUW wrote:

As I said new to Mac OS. From Win 3 through 11, So if terminal is like Cmd Prompt then please post the full instructions for me to copy/paste

DOSBox and PowerShell are different environments from zsh. The recent SFL is much closer. The macOS software update mechanism from the GUI is the same underpinnings as the command verbs use, so the whole discussion of the softwareupdate verb is less than certain to provide a resolution here.

If this is a brand new Mac and with nothing on it, wipe and re-install:

Erase and reinstall macOS - Apple Support

If there is user data here, then boot Safe Mode, and try the update again from there:

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

Safe Mode disables various add-on apps, and also rebuilds caches.

More generally… Experience with Windows can lead some folks to install certain sorts of apps such as add-on anti-malware apps and add-on cleaning apps, which can cause issues. And from the user interface and computer management, trying to map Windows experience and Windows norms onto macOS tends to get frustrating, too.

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and check to see what system is installed. Reboot normally and check again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

InsUW wrote:

No error message, just after the reboot and waiting the 40 min it still shows on 13.4.1. and the 13.4 update is still in the software update.

800GB available No AV, No VPN, No cleaners, using a gigabit lan

If booting into Safe Mode and trying the update there won’t update…

Back it up, back it up again to a second archive, build and boot a bootable installer, wipe it, install current macOS 13, and migrate in your content from the backup during the setup.

Have you attempted to try updating from Safe boot?

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 13.4

[In addition to Luis Sequeria1’s request] Or any add-on VPN clients, or cleaner apps?

In addition: how much free space on your system drive?

Another User with Similar issue used Recovery Mode and Reinstall macOS to successfully update from 13.3.1(a) to 13.4.

Refers to link below

Cannot install update to Ventura 13.4 - Apple Community

InsUW wrote:

As posted, Restarting in safe mode yielded the same result. Also, noted that I already confirmed no to all anti-virus, malware, cleaning and VPN programs.

Erase and re-install.

Something has corrupted this install.

Whether it is macOS, or added apps, or is hardware?

Have you installed and run any "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus or VPN apps on your Mac?

Screen shot of About this Mac without the serial number appearing and post back using “ insert image “

What exactly happens when you try? Any error message? How much free space in system drive?

Do have any antivirus on this mac?

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple (CA)

Or

Apple Repair and Repair Status Check - Official Apple Support