macos Sonoma 14.4 Install Problem

The user may stop paying attention to all the Social Media Sites where are questionable at Best.

Delete the " Install Sonoma application " located in Application folder

Empty the Trash

Use the Terminal command below to bypass the Software Update Applet

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 14.4.1

This will only pull down the Full Version of Sonoma ( 12.xx GB )

Stop there

Make a Time Machine Backup  before doing anything else

Disconnect the TM Backup Drive

Restart in Safe Mode. This will perform a Disk Repair, clear cache files and only load Apple Software, extensions and fonts. The boot up will be slow and can take some time - Normal.

Re-Start in Safe Mode which will also eliminate Third Party Software, extensions and drivers from loading.

It will only load the Minimum amount of Core Apple Processes to allow the the computer to function at a reduced Level of Performance 

Now, Launch the Sonoma installer

How much Empty Space is on the Drive ?

Usually suggest have at least 50 GB of Empty Space before attempting any updates or UpGrades

There can be other factors at play and causing this issue

Software on the computer interfering with the download process including AntiVirus Software

Notation: Disabling the AV Software may or may not solve the issue.

Removal of the AV Software may increase the chances of the download to perform as expected.

Running behind a VPN which may increase Packet losses or corruption of the download 

Best Results are via Ethernet Cable to Router

r rose wrote:

Based on this thread, Apple isn't helpful, although other posters are. But please, post a link to making an installer thumb drive for Sonoma 14.4.1, as I am dumbfounded that Apple pushed the update to me, and I was forced to install it. No option to delay, choose now or tonight only.

Hum, guessing this maybe intended for moi ( me )

Predicated on the Full Version Of Sonoma ( 12.xx GB ) is already located in the Applications Folder and only in that specific folders

This Terminal command

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sonoma.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

Two notations

1 - the last wording MyVolume in above command it the Name for the Intended Destination for the External Drive. The drive will require at least a 16 GB Capacity. The command will Reformat that drive 100% erasing any and everything on it

2 - suggest going into System Setting >> Privacy & Security >> Full Disc Access Look for Terminal as listed. If Not use the + ( plus sign ) and add Terminal

Reason, when creating a Bootable Installer - a Pop Up may present a Request for Permission for Terminal to perform certain action.

If Not given permission, the above terminal command may offer up a Error and the Bootable will not be made

The Terminal command to download the Sonoma 14.4.1 was made available earlier in this question

Perhaps that was overlooked in ones rush

Here it is again 😎

Use the Terminal command below to bypass the Software Update Applet

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 14.4.1

This will only pull down the Full Version of Sonoma ( 12.xx GB )

You might want to try it while booted into safemode.

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support (English)

There must an Active and Functioning Internet Connection Before and During the Installation Process

Check of the date and time of the computer is accurate

https://time.is/

If the Time is Off by more than 5 Minutes - that too can cause this issue

sandjensen11 wrote:

Thanks for trying to help. I forgot to say that this Etrecheck report was done with the external hard drive attached. I did not have it attached when I tried to install Sonoma yesterday.

Regarding the "com.setapp.DesktopClient.SetappAgent.plist (Setapp Limited - installed 2024-03-070" - this is Setapp which seemed to come with Sonoma when I first upgraded from Monterey. Today I uninstalled it (and removed all related items), and then followed your steps as before - redownloading Sonoma app via Terminal, (I deleted the one I downloaded yesterday), ensuring external hard drive unplugged and installing Sonoma in Safe Mode etc but I get the same error message very quickly after clicking "install".

I think it's probably best that I now wait until 14.4.2 is available and try that, or call Apple but I'm out of warranty.

To be franks about this issue

I am seeing a few too many machines from 2018 and 2019 Intel Computer that do qualify for Sonoma

And are experiencing similar but not same issues upgrading from previous versions of macOS and a few updating from a pervious version of Sonoma to the current version

There is nothing stopping you from

Start now and open an Apple Support Ticket as they are PAID  Apple Employees to deal will these types of issues . 

 Product Feedback - Apple and make it known to Apple regarding this ongoing issue 

Call 1 800 MyApple for Canada and USA

Other location call Centres 

 Contact Apple for support and service

You should probably make a USB installer and reinstall Sonoma from USB.

Well I rather stupidly decided to try one last thing which was run Apple Diagnostics. It didn't find anything but when I pressed restart, the computer wouldn't restart, but had black screen and intermittent 'wooshing' sound. I could turn it off by pressing the button for 10 seconds. I tried everything but same issue, called Apple, they tried but no luck so I had to take it into the Genius bar and they had to wipe it completely, and stress test it. Seemed fine, said they installed latest Sonoma, but now it's transferring all the data from my Time Machine back up so it will be a while before I know.

If it has 14.4.1 installed, and is working fine... well, I guess this is one way to get it installed, cack your computer and take it to the Genius Bar :-( A long walk for a short drink of water as they say.

Will update when things are up and running.

sandjensen11 wrote:

Well I rather stupidly decided to try one last thing which was run Apple Diagnostics. It didn't find anything but when I pressed restart, the computer wouldn't restart, but had black screen and intermittent 'wooshing' sound. I could turn it off by pressing the button for 10 seconds. I tried everything but same issue, called Apple, they tried but no luck so I had to take it into the Genius bar and they had to wipe it completely, and stress test it. Seemed fine, said they installed latest Sonoma, but now it's transferring all the data from my Time Machine back up so it will be a while before I know.

If it has 14.4.1 installed, and is working fine... well, I guess this is one way to get it installed, cack your computer and take it to the Genius Bar :-( A long walk for a short drink of water as they say.

Will update when things are up and running.

Ouch

Why would I want to make a USB installer, or install in safe mode? Please link to instructions, but I'm more concerned that my attempts to install 14.4 also hang for 20 minutes. Isn't this something Apple should fix?

While waiting for Apple to fix this, I suddenly got a message saying "14.4.1 will be installed tonight." There were no options. And it installed overnight all by itself. So it appears that the download completed overnight another day, and the timer for installing it was triggered.

While it doesn't pair with my hearing aids (alas), it hasn't caused any problems for me either. So maybe, patience helped.

I have the same problem. Spent hours yesterday trying to update from 14.3.1 to 14.4.1. I have a 2019 Intel Mac.

It stalled - the usual 30 min remaining others have had. I have no anti virus software, no VPN. I downloaded the Sonoma app from Applications and tried that, and it 'failed'. I tried the same thing in safe mode and it failed.

Given the hundreds of messages from people having similar problems I think I'm just going to wait and not update but this does worry me.

sandjensen11 wrote:

Followed your intstructions to the letter but I still get the error message. I did an Etrecheck report while still in safe mode but not sure it's of use.

Is the user saying the Terminal Command did not work ?

What's the error message

Are you saying the Full Sonoma 12.xx GB did Not Download at all.