I'm running a MacBook Pro with MacOS Ventura 13.5.2 and I can't install macOS Sonoma. It starts downloading it from the Software Update area of System Settings but after a chunk of the 12.86 GB I get an error message that says "Installation failed - an error occurred while installing the selected updates."
MacBook Pro (2017 – 2020)
In the past I've had better luck from the Safe Mode because I evidently had some 3rd party software that interfered with the downloading and installing. Therefore try the following:
#1 - boot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support.
NOTE: 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
#2 - go to the System/Software Update preference pane and begin the download.
#3 - run the installer from the Safe Mode.
In the past I've had better luck from the Safe Mode because I evidently had some 3rd party software that interfered with the downloading and installing. Therefore try the following:
#1 - boot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support.
NOTE: 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
#2 - go to the System/Software Update preference pane and begin the download.
#3 - run the installer from the Safe Mode.
You might want to try updating to Ventura 13.6 first. That might help make it more successful.
Thank you again! I appreciate your replies. Something else must be wrong because this is now the second time in the last 3 months I have been unable to install/update the Mac ios. Last time I had to have the computer completely wiped clean. Both the Apple tech on the phone and the Genius Bar folks at the Apple Store could not determine the cause of why it won't update.
Thanks, Randall. I do not see an option to update to Ventura 13.6 - only Sonoma. Is there another way to install a specific version of macOS?
It should be all the way at the bottom after all the Sonoma info in the Update area. It might be under "Other Updates Available"
Can't download or install macOS Sonoma - MacBook Pro
