Having trouble installing a macOS update? Check here!

Updating macOS is usually a seamless experience. The system alerts you on screen when updates are available, and you click “Update Now” to start the process. However, you might see an error message that says the macOS install is stuck or that you can't install the macOS update on this disk.

Encountering the "macOS Cannot be Installed" error can be frustrating when trying to update your system, as it blocks you from enjoying new features and improvements. This issue can stem from various reasons. In this article, we'll discuss the most common causes behind this problem and provide effective solutions to help you overcome it.

To avoid the inconvenience of losing crucial data, it is recommended that you back up your important files using the Mac Data Recovery Wizard tool before installing or updating your macOS.

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Backup Your Mac and Never Lose Data

Back up and restore your MacBook/iMac without Time Machine, iCloud, or external hard drive.

Why can't I install macOS on this disk?

An update failure on the screen doesn't mean that the installation will never succeed. It just means that, for some reason, it failed at that particular moment. Here are some common reasons you might see the “macOS Update Cannot Be Installed on This Disk” error while updating your Mac.

• Older versions of Mac OS might not be compatible with the update. An older Mac might not be able to run a feature-rich new update because it's not powerful enough.
• Not having enough disk space can also cause macOS updates to fail.
• An unreliable internet connection or server issues can also prevent an update from completing.
• If the date and time on your Mac aren't set correctly, that can stop macOS updates from working.
• Removing power from your Mac while it's running an update can also cause it to not work.

How to troubleshoot issues with installing macOS

If you're having trouble with a macOS update, there are several ways to fix it. Before troubleshooting a macOS install, make sure you protect your data. Back up important files before you proceed.

Method 1: Restart your Mac, then try installing again

This is the most common way to fix installation issues with macOS.

Step 1: Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen, then choose Restart.

Note: If your Mac doesn't respond to this command, you'll need to force a shut down. You can do this by holding down the Power button until it turns off.

Step 2: Now try the installation again after the reboot to see if it proceeds normally.

Method 2: Check the Date and Time Settings

If the date or time on your Mac is incorrect, that can also prevent your system from connecting to Apple's servers.

To resolve this issue, set the date and time. Go to System Preferences, then choose Date & Time.

Now, click the lock icon, enter your administrator password, and choose Set Date & Time Automatically.

Method 3: Freeing Up Storage Space

A macOS installer usually takes up about 5 GB of space, but you need about 20 GB of available space to install macOS.

Use this method to check your Mac's storage space.

Click the Apple menu, then select About This Mac and Storage from the drop-down menu.

The available space is shown on the right, labeled Available. Click Manage to do a detailed analysis of what is taking up your storage space.

What is "Other" in Mac Storage and How to Clean It Up?

When you look at your Mac, you'll find an item called "Other" under the "Storage" tab. This "Other" usually takes up at least several GB of space. But what is it for? And how can you get rid of it? This article will explain and provide solutions.

Method 4: Download the macOS installer file again

Your macOS installer download might be damaged. Find the downloaded file in your Downloads folder, then move it to the Trash.

You need to download an updated version of macOS, such as macOS Monterey, which may require downloading from the App Store. Once downloaded, attempt to install it.

Method 5: Reinstall macOS

If you've tried all of the above and macOS still won't install, you should reinstall macOS. It's an involved process, but it will definitely solve the problem. Let's get started.

Step 1: Restart your Mac by holding down Command + R. Hold both keys down for about 15-20 seconds until you see the Apple logo.

This will boot your system into Recovery Mode.

Step 2: Choose your primary language, then select macOS Utilities, and click Continue.

Step 3: Click on “Reinstall macOS,” then click “Continue.”

This process might take some time, so make sure your Mac doesn't go to sleep before it's finished. When the reinstallation is complete, your Mac will start up again in macOS that came with your Mac.

Now you can install the latest version of macOS on your system.

What to Do When macOS Won't Update

In rare cases, macOS might get corrupted during the upgrade process, resulting in the loss of all your saved data. Losing confidential data like text, photos, contacts, videos, audio files, documents, and executable files can be panic-inducing. The good news is! There are several methods and tools that can help you recover lost data. Hence, we will introduce you to an incredibly effective and user-friendly software that can comprehensively and securely retrieve all your lost files without any hassle.

Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is one of the most commonly used software to recover or retrieve lost data. This data recovery tool can easily restore accidentally deleted or damaged hard drive data with a simple scan. You can preview all recoverable files through scanning and select the ones you want to restore based on your needs. This Data Recovery Wizard can tackle various tricky issues of data loss. It can recover different types of deleted files on Mac, including videos, music files, documents, emails, and more.

Please follow the steps below to easily recover your data:

Note: You can create a backup by clicking Disk Backup first on the left. You can then restore data from the backup image when the disk is damaged or data on the disk is accidentally deleted or lost.

Step 1: Choose a location

Select the disk from which you lost data after upgrading to macOS Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey/Big Sur. Then, click “Search for Lost Files.”

Step 2: Look for the Lost Data after Scanning

The “Tool” Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will immediately scan the disk volume you've chosen, and display the results in the left pane. Use file types and file paths to locate the data you need on your Mac.

Step 3: Recover Data After macOS Update

Select the target files that were accidentally lost during or after the update, and click the "Recover" button to get them all back.

People also ask

Why can't my Mac install the latest update?

If you were unable to update your Mac, try restarting it – this can fix random errors. After the restart, open “System Preferences,” check for software updates, and install them. You can also manually download updates from Apple's support page: Apple Support Page.

Why can't I install macOS on “Macintosh HD”?

This could happen for several reasons:

• An issue with macOS Monterey.
• Lack of storage space on Macintosh HD.
• You might have downloaded a corrupted macOS installer.
• Due to an unstable internet connection.
• There are some errors on your Mac's startup disk.
• macOS Monterey might not be compatible with your Mac model.

Can I use an external drive to update my Mac?

If you don't have enough storage, you can update your Mac with an external drive. It's an economical and easy way to add more space to your Mac.

Conclusions

As we've mentioned, the reasons for macOS being unable to install updates on this disk can vary. We've provided you with the best approaches to tackle this issue. It's essential to keep your system in optimal condition to minimize the chances of encountering such problems. To achieve this, you should regularly check for updates, which helps identify and fix any issues before they become a problem in the future.

Such issues can lead to loss or corruption of important data on your Mac. Fortunately, there are great tools like Data Recovery Wizard for Mac that can help you recover deleted applications on your Mac with just a few simple steps.