Update not working on mac

I need 17 gb to update my mac, however i have 24gb available. I'm wondering what i can do to update it.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 26, 2024 1:28 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 27, 2024 2:57 AM

Just to add to the good advise from @jefferythefrog and take it a step further


The final word from Apple on Managing the " Other/ System Data “ Category


Other / System Data: Contains files that don’t fall into the categories listed here. This category primarily includes files and data used by the system, such as log files, caches, VM files, and other runtime system resources. Also included are temporary files, fonts, app support files, and plug-ins.


You can't manage the contents of this category. The contents are managed by macOS, and the category varies in size depending on the current state of your Mac.


There are areas of the Operating System which we users have control over and that is the User Account Folder ( Home Folder )


All other areas are not accessible 


It is generally a good computer practice to alway keep at least 20% to 25% of the Total Drive Capacity’s as Empty Space.


Allowing the computer to drop below these guidelines may eventually, cause unintended consequences including what is happening now.


There is Purgeable Space and there is Empty Space.


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.


The links below will assist in identifying what is taking up space on the Internal Drive and provide possible ways to remove data that is under the direct control of the User ( Home Folder ) . 


Rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac


What is “Other” storage on a Mac, and how can I clean it out?


Free up storage space on your Mac


GrandPerspective 


How to delete Time Machine snapshots on your Mac.  


Often caused if the Time Machine Drive has not been attached  to the computer and TM Backup is set to run on a Schedule. 


TM Backup will make Snap Shot on the Internal Drive awaiting the TM Backup Drive to be attached. 


Only then will the Snaps Shots be transferred to the External Drive and deleted the Internal Drive.


View APFS snapshots in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support (CA)


See used and available storage space on your Mac


Locate backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch


Is there a Suite of Adobe Applications  used on this computer ?


They may create some very large cache files that can be removed. Though, the Adobe cache files will be recreated as the Applications needs them.


https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/premiere-pro/kb/clear-cache.html


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 27, 2024 2:57 AM in response to vividmoni

Just to add to the good advise from @jefferythefrog and take it a step further


The final word from Apple on Managing the " Other/ System Data “ Category


Other / System Data: Contains files that don’t fall into the categories listed here. This category primarily includes files and data used by the system, such as log files, caches, VM files, and other runtime system resources. Also included are temporary files, fonts, app support files, and plug-ins.


You can't manage the contents of this category. The contents are managed by macOS, and the category varies in size depending on the current state of your Mac.


There are areas of the Operating System which we users have control over and that is the User Account Folder ( Home Folder )


All other areas are not accessible 


It is generally a good computer practice to alway keep at least 20% to 25% of the Total Drive Capacity’s as Empty Space.


Allowing the computer to drop below these guidelines may eventually, cause unintended consequences including what is happening now.


There is Purgeable Space and there is Empty Space.


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.


The links below will assist in identifying what is taking up space on the Internal Drive and provide possible ways to remove data that is under the direct control of the User ( Home Folder ) . 


Rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac


What is “Other” storage on a Mac, and how can I clean it out?


Free up storage space on your Mac


GrandPerspective 


How to delete Time Machine snapshots on your Mac.  


Often caused if the Time Machine Drive has not been attached  to the computer and TM Backup is set to run on a Schedule. 


TM Backup will make Snap Shot on the Internal Drive awaiting the TM Backup Drive to be attached. 


Only then will the Snaps Shots be transferred to the External Drive and deleted the Internal Drive.


View APFS snapshots in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support (CA)


See used and available storage space on your Mac


Locate backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch


Is there a Suite of Adobe Applications  used on this computer ?


They may create some very large cache files that can be removed. Though, the Adobe cache files will be recreated as the Applications needs them.


https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/premiere-pro/kb/clear-cache.html


Jan 26, 2024 5:51 PM in response to vividmoni

you need to consider not only the size of the installer, but also the extra room your Mac needs to "shuffle" things around during the upgrade. it is often recommended to have ~50GB free space to perform an upgrade.


also, if you only have 24GB available, then depending on your drive size, it is quite full. you should free up some space. finally, you should keep ~20% of your drive as free space for proper operation of macOS.

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Update not working on mac

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