I have an iMac running Ventura 13.6.1 and can see a notification in my System Settings that an update to 13.6.3 is available. But each time I attempt to upgrade, the computer goes through about a 30 minute process that looks like it's upgrading, but the OS stays at 13.6.1 and there's a new message telling me to upgrade to 13.6.3. Help please?
I've had better luck from the Safe Mode so 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.
I've had better luck from the Safe Mode so 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.
How much free space do you have on your boot drive? System upgrades require a minimum of about 50 GB of free spaced, preferable more.
Well IMO it’s more nuanced than just saying no.
Purgeable data was really annoying for me when I had an Intel Mac. Now it’s System Data which is an annoyance on Apple Silicon.
With BuhoCleaner (which I am not trying to advertise but I guess I am inadvertently) I notice at times I have so many log files and X-code bloat, and GB’s worth of purgeable data that disappears after I run a simple smart scan with that app and then delete.
I had a similar problem upgrading from 13.6.1 to 13.6.3. Check your internal storage space before you upgrade to any new software version as this one is a 3GB upgrade. You might be out of space. Then do what Old Tode suggested.
t-hak wrote:
I have 2.35 TB available on a 3.12 TB drive.
I have also tried in Safe mode with all USB devices physically disconnected (1 drive enclosure with 3 HDs and 2 SSDs).
Only peripherals connected when I tried the last time are and Apple Keyboard and Logi MX3 mouse, both connected via Bluetooth, and external speakers connected at the headphone jack. The speakers made a loud buzzing noise until I rebooted again.
Still stuck at 13.6.1, and System Setting still says there is an update available.
That's stuff that I've never heard of before. Might be time to take it to the nearest Apple Genius Bar for a free diagnostic examination.
My iMac finally slowed down to the point that I took it in to our local Mac authorized seller/repair and was told flatly that 2017 iMacs can no longer upgrade past 13.6.3! I was also told that my internal HD was corrupted and it was impossible to retrieve the data. Luckily, I had an external HD with Time Machine backups. Unfortunately, it also was corrupted.
I had them replace the HD with a comparably sized SSD (2TB) and they were able to install 13.6.4. I lost massive amounts of data, including all of the files for a small business that I own. What luck, huh? :(
Thanks, Renzoco & Old Toad! My data shows I have 2.12TB capacity, 1.8TB used, and 318GB available with 17.73GB purgeable. I can try doing some clean-up, but do you, or does anyone else, know if that 17.73GB that is "purgeable" is something I can delete to free up space? If so, how?
I have 2.35 TB available on a 3.12 TB drive.
I have also tried in Safe mode with all USB devices physically disconnected (1 drive enclosure with 3 HDs and 2 SSDs).
Only peripherals connected when I tried the last time are and Apple Keyboard and Logi MX3 mouse, both connected via Bluetooth, and external speakers connected at the headphone jack. The speakers made a loud buzzing noise until I rebooted again.
Still stuck at 13.6.1, and System Setting still says there is an update available.
Most welcome!
Pertaining to the purgeable data problem, here is a useful article by a disk cleaning software that I personally use called BuhoCleaner. Keep in mind they do charge money to use their software.
According to the article to manually delete purgeable files you:
In this article they also state that, "...Since your macOS will automatically clear this space when your storage is running low, it is not recommended that you clean it manually unless you need to."
Anklejive wrote:
Thanks, Renzoco & Old Toad! My data shows I have 2.12TB capacity, 1.8TB used, and 318GB available with 17.73GB purgeable. I can try doing some clean-up, but do you, or does anyone else, know if that 17.73GB that is "purgeable" is something I can delete to free up space? If so, how?
Short answer - NO
Purgeable Space which is Controlled by the Operating System.
When the Operating Systems decides the computer needs additional Empty Space, it will move a portion of the Purgeable to Empty space
AFAIK - there is no User Actions to hasten this transition from Purgeable to Empty Space
It can day or longer before this will occur.
Thank you, Sir Toad! I will try this.
Unfortunately, this suggestion did not work.
Any other ideas?
Safe mode did not work for me, either. I have an 2017 iMac Intel i7 (18,3). I have tried several times using both Normal and Safe modes. I'm also looking for other ideas.
Can't upgrade to MacOS 13.6.3
