For months I have tried to get latest version of Big Sur OS and any other OS including Sonoma. Everything is downloaded and install process is nearly completed. Then the process fails. I have varied the startup process and tried any tips except cleaning the entire drive and starting reload from scratch, which I prefer not to do.
My iMac is a 2019 model running Big Sur 11.7.1, 21.5", Retina display, Intel Core i5 processor
Any suggestions?
iMac, macOS 10.12
The ability to Update or Upgrade can be blocked be third-party Antivirus, Protecting, Cleaning, Optimizing software or a VPN.
It can also be blocked by the lack of Free Disk Space, but that generally comes with a message.
If you are getting an error and unable to Update or Upgrade, try while in Safe Mode.
see > If an error occurred while updating or installing macOS - Apple Support
The ability to Update or Upgrade can be blocked be third-party Antivirus, Protecting, Cleaning, Optimizing software or a VPN.
It can also be blocked by the lack of Free Disk Space, but that generally comes with a message.
If you are getting an error and unable to Update or Upgrade, try while in Safe Mode.
see > If an error occurred while updating or installing macOS - Apple Support
You're welcome.
What error message did you get from Safe Mode...?
What does Disk Utility > First Aid say about your iMac's drive...?
see > Repair a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support
The Erase directions are at > Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support
The Reinstall macOS directions are at > How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support
To Migrate from Time Machine see > Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support
Thanks for the input. No third party virus, etc. software on my iMac so that shouldn't be the problem. I only have 40% of 1 TB storage used (I don't store videos) so plenty of space available. I've booted in safe / recovery mode as recently as yesterday but reach the finish and get the error message. I may need to suck it up and erase disk and install new OS. Still searching Apple Support for something I'm missing.
Cannot update Big Sur 11.7 to Sonoma.
