Can't install Sonoma 14.6 on external drive

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Level 1

4 points

Can't install Sonoma 14.6 on external drive

Long story short:

iMac very slow. Tried to use Kingston XS2000 that's used for TMs as well to install macOS on it. This didn't work out and I quickly understood this isn't a good idea. Fine.
Bought another Kingston XS2000. Created bootable drive and installed it on the drive. This was done on MBP instead of iMac due do the iMac's sluggishness.
Start up the iMac ant hold option key. Connect to internet and choose the bootable drive. Install macOS Sonoma. Agree the license. Boom - the driver is locked.
Check for FileVault and Firmware Password. Both off. Great.
Erase the drive and format as APFS. Use the file on MBP to install it without using the bootable USB. Freezes after couple mins. Installer log is below.

Maybe the installer file is corrupted, because the internet disconnected once while I was downloading Sonoma from AppStore? What do you suggest? The Kingston XS2000 should be more than enough for installing macOS on it, right?

iMac is 2019 27" and MBP is 16" 2019.

Installer Log

iMac 27″

Posted on Aug 1, 2024 5:09 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Matti Haveri

Level 6

19,778 points

Aug 2, 2024 1:21 AM in response to Yeffersson

It seems you have mixed up the disks and have tried to install to the installer disk which is locked.

Follow this to the letter:

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

So:

Prepare a bootable USB flash drive as a macOS installer and Option-boot from it (I guess external booting for that Mac is already enabled if it is a T2 Mac).

Switch to Disk Utility and choose View > Show All Devices and erase the target external device (at the top of the list) as APFS (GUID). Give it a desired name (I traditionally use just "HD").

Switch to the macOS installer and install macOS Sonoma to the target external drive you just erased.

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Answer 2

Aug 1, 2024 5:58 PM in response to Yeffersson

I notice that the last action listed in the installer log says: Aug 2 03:02:29 MBP-Tatana osinstallersetupd[1063]: Started downloading package com.apple.pkg.BridgeOSUpdateCustomer (https://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/62/33/052-69929-A_8NE6X08IED/l1fzsapfgazsua0inpywuheiju9hoxbaqj/BridgeOSUpdateCustomer.pkg) Is it possible your internet connection is unstable and prevented this download?

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