macOS Big Sur Installation Failed: 'An Error Occurred While Installing the Selected Updates'

[marcobob]

Same here, install error.
Can't believe it. The fact is that it doesn't download anymore, just goes straight up to 12.18GB.
So right now I think it's a corrupted download so I fear either we find a way to delete downloaded files or we just need to wait 11.0.2 or whatever it'll be the next release.

Changing IP doesn't work. Hotspot doesn't work either.

Install file in Applications isn't there. Can't believe it.

 

[marcobob]

So basically, here's how I solved.
I knew that something wrong was going on when after first error on Thursday (after 2.51GB), on Friday the download went straight up at 12.18GB without using internet at all (I monitored my fritz box).

So I tried with a hotspot but at first it gave me an error again (immediate error though!).

I retried today, and it began to download from 2.51GB (it didn't go up to 12.18GB like it was doing on wifi).
Since inside my house (we are in lockdown in Italy) my internet 4G is very slow and not constant (up to 1Mbps but very variable) I couldn't wait 6-7 hours or more honestly. So after 500MB downloaded (so download went up to 3GB) I reactivated my vdsl on the MacBook, deactivating the hotspot. And it just continued and it downloaded the remaining 9GB in 15 minutes. And now I'm ready to install Big Sur.

 

[lifesavi]

Not able to go beyond this. Any update?

 

[WassHammoud]

No, it has not. A large number of people were anxious to get the update just as soon as it was released, and they overwhelmed the servers for a few hours. A handful of people have had installation issues.

My installation had zero problems once I had downloaded the software. I could have been more patient and waited a couple of days and then the download would probably have been trouble free as well.

I think Apple software has indeed gone downhill. Gatekeeper is the worst thing for productivity and there's no way to turn it off across the board. CONSTANT notifications and other things unrelated to your activity to interrupt you. Installation of macOS is now trickier for anyone that doesn't have experience in using disk utility. Fusion Drive becomes corrupt. Apps often need to be verified, which could take up to two minutes just to ALLOW it open.

And now...this. When everyone is so excited to update, they didn't foresee any issues and went ahead and launched. It's not a handful of people that are having this issue. The ones that posted anything online are only the people that shared they were having issues. The number is much larger than that. I'm not complaining. I've been a Mac user for 10+ years. I get that many of the items I mentioned are a security issue, but these things are just not acceptable when they render the machine and operating system inoperable.

I re-installed a clean installation of macOS High Sierra the other day on an older Mac mini and it was so seamless. I was back in business within a couple of hours and the OS just felt so kind to me. Not in your face. I feel like Catalina and the recent versions past High Sierra are like Windows Vista but for Apple. Hoping for a better experience in Big Sur, if I can even get the dang thing installed.

 

[nickdalzell1]

The errors we keep getting are about as helpful as the Amiga was:

 

[honestone33]

Yes - I am considering that. I actually have my whole Fusion Disk full with Update history files - so it is time for a clean slate (And if do a new install, I could as well trick it into accepting Big Sur). It is either that or a new machine.

I really like my late 2018 Mac Mini, but the new 2020 M1 model sounds impressive:

Apple Mac mini M1 Chip (Late 2020)

Buy Apple Mac mini M1 Chip (Late 2020) featuring Apple M1 8-Core CPU, 8GB Unified RAM | 256GB SSD, 8-Core GPU | 16-Core Neural Engine, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Bluetooth 5.0, 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A | HDMI 2.0, 2 x Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 Ports, 1 x Gigabit Ethernet Port, macOS. Review Apple Mac mini

www.bhphotovideo.com

Of course, that machine will automatically come with Big Sur already installed. I don't think it has been reviewed yet, but earlier today, I did see a review of the new M1 MacBook Air:

MacBook Air M1 review: Stunning debut for Apple silicon in a Mac

It may be nothing more a processor change, but what a processor!

www.macworld.com

Definitely sounds promising, including Rosetta 2 for allowing applications to run which have not been upgraded yet for the M1 architecture.

 

[Tech198]

Well, it makes me feel better knowing it's not only Disney+ that can have issues on day 1.

The errors we keep getting are about as helpful as the Amiga was:

The errors we keep getting are about as helpful as the Amiga was:

View attachment 1670807

That takes me back

 

[Alwis]

The errors we keep getting are about as helpful as the Amiga was:

At least "Guru Meditation" was somewhat funny and iconic...

 

[nickdalzell1]

I always got a laugh at this contradiction, an "error" about something working:

 

[nickdalzell1]

BTW whomever gave the tip of adding to the hosts file the ability to block that one apple cert server, thanks! I was always experiencing long app loads, and serious cooling issues and tons of battery drain (as well as my Mac falsely flagging Amazon Music as malware and that I should delete it) until I did just that. Now I sit around ~40 degrees C and finally the fans don't run as often. Used to be just YouTube would make it go as hot as 90 C and fans running all the time (only in HD/4K). Battery needing charge in say 4 hours. Now I'm six hours in and my battery is still above 3/4 charged.

 

[jtrenda33]

NO! Say it ain't so! I want to be able to see Season 3 of Cobra Kai when it comes out in January, along with the next season of Ozark (no date yet on when it will be released).

Now, Apple, stay away from AMC! I want to see Season 6 of Better Call Saul.

It was a joke.

 

[honestone33]

It was a joke.

So was my post!

 

[Dr. Ghazawy]

I used the following link:
http://swcdn.apple.com/content/down...8zn9l7aj9nr4pqemhqhbvlq1/InstallAssistant.pkg

And Installer works:
View attachment 1662431

Hey Man You Sure This link is Safe Please Reply

 

[JWAmpsOnly]

It's now December 19, 2020 and I received the same error message.

 

[AUSSIE-05]

OK, just saw this TOPIC when trying to figure out the Finder Window sizing issue, anyway, this glitch happened when I was updating the OS from Catalina to Big Sur. I downloaded to the point of the screen saying that "screen will be blank for 30 seconds will restart within 3 minutes" Yes the screen went blank and forever. Rang Apple and they booked me into one of the repair facilities but as I live about 120 miles from the nearest Apple store, I took it back from where I had purchased it two months prior and only 50 miles from home. Sure enough, they fixed it the next day and it cost me $145 as they said as it was a software problem it wasn't covered by warranty. Got it home and hey, it works, all OK!>

 

[OverSpun]

^ ridiculous! This whole thread is of us ranting about upgrade issues. I would call Apple again and explain the situation after the repair. I think the Big Sur upgrade was Apple’s mistake and not yours.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I had a problem updating a MBP, and downloaded the bootable installer, backed up the MBP, wiped it, and installed Big Sur from scratch. It worked. YMMV...