“Installation requires downloading important content…” error message preventing me installing macOS Big Sur
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30-05-2021 - |
Domanda
My device is a late 2013 Macbook Pro and just a week ago I had been running macOS Big Sur.
I wanted to pass on my device to someone else so I followed the steps in the below links to make sure all of my data was erased and the device is set back to factory settings:
The device is now running OS X 10.9.5 as expected. However, when I download macOS Big Sur from the App Store and try to install it, a message appears saying I cannot continue (see below image). The message says:
Installation of macOS could not continue
Installation requires downloading important content.
The content can't be downloaded at this time.
Try again later.
I have tried and checked the following:
- Checked Apple System Status and everything is fine.
- Restarted the device via Safe Mode and issue still presents itself.
- Restarted the device and used both CMD+R and CMD+ALT+R modes to install but same issue returns.
- Erased and formatted the HD to AFPS, reinstalled OS X, same issue. Since then, I've reformatted via the recommended option (Mac OS Extended (Journaled)).
- I have a good strong connection via Wi-Fi.
Though some of the above may work for others, it hasn't worked for me. I've probably tried erasing my HD and reinstalling OS X about 6 times now.
I don't know where I may have gone wrong, I made sure I followed each step specifically and carefully. I've been able to install macOS Big Sur just a week ago, and now, after following Apple's official guide to essentially 'factory reset' my device, it is not installing.
...
Update
- As suggested in comments and responses, I upgraded from Mavericks to Catalina (through El Capitan then High Sierra then Mojave).
- Now in Catalina, it gives a new error message of "Update not found" when trying to update to macOS Big Sur, and shows that it is currently running the latest macOS (see below screenshots).
- I have tried to update via Internet Recovery mode, but that returns the original error message of "Installation of macOS could not continue".
Soluzione
The short answer, is do not install Big Sur on 2013 / 2014 MacBook Pro if you can wait. Stick with Catalina if you can and need it to be stable and supported.
Thank you for this post - I found myself in this exact situation, following the same "Apple recommended" procedure to perform a factory reset after already updating to Big Sur. I was left with a useless (likely needing repair) machine until I found this post and followed the steps to reinstall OSX and then upgrade to Catalina.
Second, I found this post here: https://mrmacintosh.com/big-sur-11-0-1-20b50-released-to-block-install-for-2013-14-13-mbpros/
I believe that we had previously upgraded to Big Sur 11.0.1 20b29, released November 12th. However, Apple released an "updated" version, 20b50, on November 19th that removed the late 2013 and mid 2014 Macbook Pros from the compatible list, due to issues that left some users with blank screens.
I imagine that once Apple fixes these blank screen issues, we'll be able to upgrade again.
Also see, "Release History" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacOS_Big_Sur
Altri suggerimenti
I had the same error "Installation of macOS could not continue" while trying to install macOS 11 "Big Sur".
I had to install Catalina first (see the "Download macOS" section of this support article for instructions) and then the upgrade to Big Sur worked fine.
As noted above your MacBook is blocked in the build 20B50. If you feel like living on the edge, you can however download 20B29.
One way to download the previous build, is by using macadmin-scripts
from munki on GitHub and choosing the Developer Seed. This still lists 20B29 for download. I've successfully installed Big Sur using this method on my 2013. MacBook Pro Retina. But no guarantees, there are reports of bricked MacBooks so proceed at your own risk.
$ sudo ./installinstallmacos.py --seed DeveloperSeed
For me it is option 3. This can change as available builds can differ.
# ProductID Version Build Post Date Title
1 001-15219 10.15.5 19F2200 2020-06-15 macOS Catalina
2 001-68446 10.15.7 19H15 2020-11-11 macOS Catalina
3 001-79699 11.0.1 20B29 2020-11-14 macOS Big Sur
4 001-04366 10.15.4 19E2269 2020-05-04 macOS Catalina
5 061-86291 10.15.3 19D2064 2020-03-23 macOS Catalina
6 041-91758 10.13.6 17G66 2019-10-19 macOS High Sierra
7 041-88800 10.14.4 18E2034 2019-10-23 macOS Mojave
8 061-26589 10.14.6 18G103 2019-10-14 macOS Mojave
9 001-51042 10.15.7 19H2 2020-09-24 macOS Catalina
10 001-36735 10.15.6 19G2006 2020-08-06 macOS Catalina
11 001-83532 11.0.1 20B50 2020-11-19 macOS Big Sur
12 001-57224 10.15.7 19H4 2020-10-27 macOS Catalina
13 041-90855 10.13.5 17F66a 2019-10-23 Install macOS High Sierra Beta
14 061-26578 10.14.5 18F2059 2019-10-14 macOS Mojave
15 001-83606 11.1 20C5048l 2020-11-20 macOS Big Sur Beta
16 001-36801 10.15.6 19G2021 2020-08-12 macOS Catalina