Getting stuck on 14.4.1 install at 30 minutes remaining

I had the same issue.

To be able to install 14.4.1 – and any other future versions if the issue persist:

1. In the Apple menu select App Store
2. Search for "Sonoma"
3. Click the Get button

Il will download the installer app to your Applications folder (the installer app is about 14GB in size).

Once the download was completed I had to reboot the system as the automatic upgrade prevented somehow the installer to start – after rebooting I was finally able to upgrade by double clicking on the "Install Sonoma" app.

Hope this helps!

MacBook Air 2020

I FINALLY am updated.

After letting it sit for over two hours at 20m remaining, then trying Safe Mode several times and having the same problem, I reinstalled iOS by holding down the black power button until my drive popped up, then clicked Options, followed the prompts, reinstalled iOS, once it was done reset once more, and the update had been completed. Nothing was removed from my comp and now I’m good to go. That was a lot of trial and error, and I haven’t read the updated messages on this thread, so maybe someone else already came to this conclusion, but hopefully this helps someone! What an unnecessary nightmare.

I ended up reinstalling Sonoma and now I have the latest OS. My apps and documents didn't get wiped, everything is the same as before the reinstall. I'm not sure if this would be the same case for everyone.

I did the reinstall from the "Options" menu which pops up when holding down the power button on boot up, same method for getting option to boot in safe mode.

The size of the installer is 12,1 GB: do you have enough space to download the full installer?

Did the installer started automatically at the end of the download?

It should have started automatically if the file was downloaded completely.

Please note you need to run the installer instead following the standard update procedure from the Apple > System settings... > General > Software Update menu.

To run the installer open the Applications folder and look for the "Install Sonoma" icon: if you don't see the icon it means the download is not completed yet or you do not have enough space to download it. In such case delete some files (we all usually keep files in the downloads folder even when we don't need them anymore) and try to download the installer again.

Also, the full installation process takes at least 30/40 minutes to complete, so be patient.

Mine is also stalling at 20m remaining, and I’ve booted with Safe Mode as well. I’ve tried several times. Have you figured anything out? I have a 2020 MacBook Air. It’s been sitting there for about two hours now, and counting.

Same exact issue, 2020 MacBook Air M1, one hour waiting, cancelled, restarted, then over 12 hours for "20 minutes remaining" and I ended up cancelling the update. Will continue reading in - digging into - this very helpful community. Definitely something's wrong with this update.

I've had better luck from the Safe Mode because I evidently had some 3rd party software that interfered with the downloading and installing 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 - download and run the installer from the Safe Mode.

New MacBook Air M3 delivered yesterday, with Sonoma 14.3 pre-installed. Naturally the first thing to do is update the software (in this case 14.4.1).

• First we had the "30 minutes remaining" issue
• Then we tried Recovery Mode, and it hung displaying an apple logo
• Luckily, after a forced reboot, it came back with the original installation
• Finally, we try MrCamaleo's solution
• At first it seemed to jump back to the Software Update screen
• But, it worked, and I am now running 14.4.1

Personally, none of the above. I recently had it serviced and wiped due to it already running slow. I have minimal apps.

Can't seem to find what the issue is.

This Method worked flawlessly… thanks… I just bought this computer and it was stuck on 30 minutes for over 15 hours

just check my answer here above:

255549897

and let us know if it fixes the problem for you as well,

thank you!

just check my answer here above:

255549897

and let us know if it fixes the problem for you as well,

thank you!

just check my answer here above:

255549897

and let us know if it fixes the problem for you as well,

thank you!

Having the same issue, tried mutiple times even twice on safe mode and its not budging.