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macOS Update Fails to Install (Safe Mode Fix)

  • Updated

Boot MacBook into Safe Mode

  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu > Shut Down.
    1. Wait for your Mac to shut down completely. A Mac is completely shut down when the screen is black and any lights (including in the Touch Bar) are off.
  2. Press and hold the power button on your Mac until “Loading startup options” appears.
  3. Select a volume (this is your bootable SSD).
  4. Press and hold the Shift key, then click Continue in Safe Mode.
    1. The computer restarts automatically. When the login window appears, you should see “Safe Boot” in the menu bar.
  5. Log in like normal.

Delete the Broken Installer

  1. Navigate to Finder > Applications
  2. Find the Install macOS Sequoia or Sonoma and move it to the trash.
    1. You may be prompted for your password

Run macOS Updates

  1. Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update
  2. Wait for Available Updates to load and click Update Now
    1. This will start downloading the update again which will take time. You can continue working while this downloads in the background.
  3. Once the download completes, you will be prompted to Install Now.
    1. These updates can take up to 30 minutes to install.
  4. The device will reboot and start running updates.

After the install is done, the machine will boot up normally.

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