You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Mac OS Installation Errors with Multiple macOS Versions

Hello.


I have a 2018 Mac Mini with an Intel Processor. It originally came with Catalina and was eventually upgraded to Ventura. Towards the end of Ventura, macOS updates would not install, nor could were upgrades to a new operating system. There were error messages about problems preparing the update.


After various attempted fixes not working, I moved all the files to a different computer and tried to reinstall Ventura through Recovery Mode and a USB. Both failed (with an error message that a software update was needed to proceed--which failed.) I did an erase of the disk and in Internet Recovery Mode I was able to successfully reinstall Catalina and then do successfully do a Catalina update.


However, I have tried to install Sequoia, Ventura and Monterey and they all fail. Every time it fails showing 8 minutes left with the error message, "An error occurred installing macOS. You can try again to complete the installation." The Mac Mini is connected to the Internet with an Ethernet connection, so I don't think the connection is the problem. I have run the Disk Utility first aid tool numerous times and not come across any problems. I have also tried the install in Safe Mode.


Any ideas????

Posted on Dec 16, 2024 7:03 AM

Reply
1 reply

Dec 17, 2024 1:54 AM in response to bobhail

You seem to have done a fair amount of good work trouble shooting this issue


Not sure this will work in macOS 10.15 Catalina but worth a try ?


Terminal command below will only search for Full Versions of macOS this computer Qualifies to run


softwareupdate --list-full-installers


If it should present Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura and or Sonoma and Sequoia 🤞


Again in Terminal and use any of the following command


It should manually download the Full Version which range in size from 12.xx GB up to 15.3 GB for the full Sequoia 15.2


softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 11.7.10


softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 12.7.6


softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 13.7.2


softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 14.7.2


softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 15.2





Mac OS Installation Errors with Multiple macOS Versions

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.