Updating your Mac’s operating system is essential to keeping your device secure and running smoothly. However, macOS updates can sometimes fail, leaving your system unable to fully update. A failed Mac update can be frustrating and disrupt your ability to use your computer normally.
Understanding the common causes for update failures and learning how to troubleshoot and resolve them is critical for any Mac user. A failed update may indicate larger issues that need addressing, either with your hardware, system files, or the update process itself. Learning how to recognize, diagnose and recover from a botched update can help you get your Mac working again quickly.
Identify the Problem
If a macOS update fails, there are some common symptoms that indicate the problem. Typically, you will see an error message on your screen during or after the update process stating that an error occurred. The update may get stuck on the installation progress bar for an extended period of time before failing.
Your Mac may also become unresponsive or restart unexpectedly during the update. After a failed update, you may notice issues starting up your Mac or performance problems once booted up. The macOS version shown in System Preferences > General may still display the old version, confirming the update did not complete successfully.
To confirm the update failed, first check System Information and compare the macOS version shown with the latest version you attempted to install. If they do not match, the update did not complete. You can also check for any update-related error logs in Console to further diagnose the problem.
Troubleshoot Basic Issues
There are some basic troubleshooting steps you can try when a macOS update fails or encounters an error:
Restart your Mac – A simple restart can help clear out any temporary glitches. Shut down your Mac completely and then turn it back on to see if the update proceeds normally.
Check your internet connection – Make sure you have a stable, fast internet connection when downloading and installing a macOS update. Connect your Mac directly to your router via Ethernet if possible.
Free up disk space – You may need up to 10GB or more of available storage for a macOS update. Delete unused files and apps to make space.
Check for other software conflicts – Temporarily uninstall or disable any security, antivirus or virtualization software that could conflict with an update.
Delete previous installers – Old macOS installer files can sometimes interfere with new updates. Check your Applications folder and trash any you find.
If basic troubleshooting does not resolve the issue, you may need to attempt more advanced steps like reinstalling macOS or taking your Mac to the Genius Bar. But try these basic steps first, as they are quick and easy fixes for many failed updates.
Restore From Backup
If you have a Time Machine or other backup, you can use it to restore your Mac and rollback to a previous version of macOS before the failed update. Time Machine is an excellent built-in backup system for macOS that allows you to easily restore your entire Mac or specific files from a backup.
To restore from a Time Machine backup and rollback macOS after a failed update:
- Restart your Mac and immediately hold down Command + R keys to boot into Recovery mode.
- When the macOS Utilities window appears, select “Restore From Time Machine Backup” and click Continue.
- Select your Time Machine backup disk and the relevant backup point before the failed update occurred. Click Continue.
- Follow the prompts to fully restore your Mac system files, settings and data from the backup point.
Once the restore process completes, your Mac will reboot into the prior working version of macOS before the update failure. This allows you to rollback seamlessly.[1]
If you don’t use Time Machine, you can similarly restore from another complete system backup, whether created with Disk Utility, Carbon Copy Cloner, SuperDuper or another backup utility. Boot to Recovery mode and use the restore process to rollback the OS.
Restoring from a full system backup allows you to undo a botched update and revert your Mac to a known good state. Be sure to maintain regular backups.
Repair in Recovery Mode
If an update fails and your Mac won’t boot, you can use Recovery Mode as an emergency troubleshooting option. Recovery Mode is a built-in utility that lets you repair disks, restore from backups, and reinstall macOS.
To enter Recovery Mode, restart your Mac and hold down Command + R until you see the Apple logo or a recovery mode startup screen. This will boot your Mac from a hidden recovery partition.
Once in Recovery Mode, you can use Disk Utility to check for disk errors and repair the startup drive. Select “Disk Utility” from the Recovery Mode menu. Click on your startup drive in the sidebar, then click “First Aid” and choose “Run”. This will check and repair directory issues or corruption that may be preventing macOS from installing properly.
If Disk Utility is unable to repair the drive, your next option is to reinstall macOS. Select “Reinstall macOS” from the Recovery Mode utilities screen. This will completely overwrite your existing OS installation with a fresh copy. Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the reinstallation process. With a clean OS install, you can then try updating to the latest version again.
Recovery Mode offers a last resort troubleshooting option when your Mac is unable to boot normally after a failed update. By repairing disk errors or reinstalling the OS, you may be able to get your system operational again. Just be sure to backup any important data first, as reinstalling macOS can erase your files.
Sources:
[1] https://support.apple.com/en-us/102531
[2] https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8070156
Clean Install macOS
A clean install of macOS involves completely wiping your Mac’s hard drive and freshly installing the operating system. This ensures there are no corrupted files or residual settings that could be causing issues with updating or reinstalling macOS. Here are the steps for a clean install (Apple, 2023):
1. Back up your Mac using Time Machine. This will save all your files, settings and apps so you can restore them later.
2. Boot into Recovery mode by restarting your Mac and holding down Command + R.
3. Use Disk Utility to erase the hard drive. Select your hard drive from the sidebar and click “Erase” in the toolbar. Choose a name, format (Mac OS Extended or APFS) and scheme (GUID Partition Map). Click Erase to wipe the drive.
4. Quit Disk Utility, then choose Reinstall macOS from the Utilities window. Follow the onscreen instructions to freshly install the latest macOS your Mac supports.
5. After installation is complete, you can restore your files and settings from the Time Machine backup. Reinstall any apps you need from the App Store.
A clean install removes any files or settings that may be causing problems with installation or updates. It essentially gives you a fresh start with macOS. Just be sure to back up your data first.
Seek Further Support
If you still can’t get your Mac software update working after trying all of the troubleshooting steps, it’s time to seek further support. Here are some options to try next:
Contact Apple Support directly via phone, chat, Twitter, or set up a Genius Bar appointment at an Apple Store. Apple’s support teams are experts on troubleshooting Mac issues and can walk you through advanced fixes. See Apple Support options.
Visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider. These third-party repair shops specialize in fixing Apple products and can diagnose and repair software failures. Find one near you at Apple’s Service Provider locator.
Post on Apple Support Communities forums to consult with other Apple users facing similar issues. The forums have a wealth of crowdsourced troubleshooting advice. See the Mac OS X Installation and Updates forum.
As a last resort, you may need to book a hardware repair if the software update failure indicates a deeper system issue. Apple or an authorized service provider can check for and replace any faulty components that are preventing updates.
Prevent Future Issues
There are several steps you can take to help prevent macOS update failures in the future:
Make sure you have sufficient storage space before updating. The macOS installer needs at least 15GB of available storage space to work properly. If your Mac’s storage is nearly full, make some room by moving files to an external drive or deleting unnecessary apps and files. See Apple’s support article “If your Mac runs out of application memory” https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207359 for more tips on freeing up disk space.
Back up your Mac before updating. Use Time Machine or another backup option to create a bootable backup of your entire Mac system before installing a major OS update. That way if anything goes wrong, you can easily restore from your backup. Learn how to back up your Mac with Time Machine at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250.
Consider waiting to update until the first point release. Brand new major OS releases like macOS Ventura often have bugs that get addressed in the first .1 or .2 release. If you don’t need the latest features right away, waiting a month or two for the first incremental update can ensure a smoother update experience.
Make sure third party apps and tools are compatible. Check with developers of any critical apps, drivers, plugins etc to make sure they are fully compatible with the new OS version before updating. Incompatible software can sometimes cause issues.
Update apps beforehand. Open the App Store and click Updates to install any available app updates. This ensures your apps are current before installing the new OS.
Restart your Mac first. Reboot your Mac before starting the OS update to clear any small glitches that could interfere with installation.
FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about failed macOS updates:
Why did my macOS update fail?
There are several common reasons an update could fail, including a poor internet connection, insufficient storage space, or file system damage [1]. Sometimes errors occur during the install process even on an otherwise healthy system.
How can I fix a failed macOS update?
First try restarting your Mac and updating again in Safe Mode, which performs diagnostics. If that doesn’t work, you may need to reinstall macOS after erasing the disk or repairing it in Recovery Mode [2].
Why does my Mac get stuck on a loading screen?
If your Mac shows a progress bar or spinning globe but doesn’t finish starting up, it’s usually related to file system damage. You can try repairing in Recovery Mode or performing a clean install of the OS [3].
How can I backup before reinstalling macOS?
To backup your files and settings before erasing your disk, you can use Time Machine or create a bootable clone on an external drive using Disk Utility or apps like Carbon Copy Cloner.
What’s the best way to avoid update issues in the future?
Make sure you have sufficient storage space before updating, use Time Machine to regularly backup your system, and avoid custom system modifications that could cause conflicts. Check Apple’s support site for guidance on preparing for macOS updates.
Conclusion
When a macOS update fails, it can be worrying and disruptive. However, there are several steps you can take to get your Mac working again.
The key is to first troubleshoot basic issues like free disk space, restarting, and clearing caches. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, you can try restoring from a backup, repairing in Recovery Mode, or doing a clean install of macOS.
Solving a failed Mac update is important to ensure you have the latest security patches and features. Don’t hesitate to seek further support from Apple or an authorized technician if you need it.
Following best practices like regular backups and avoiding problematic updates when possible can help prevent issues in the future. With the right approach, you can get your Mac up and running again after a botched update.