- Mac Cosmetics Mall
- What To Do With Your Mac Before Selling It
- What To Do With Your Mask
- What To Do With Your Microsoft Rewards
macOS Big Sur finally saw the light of day in November 2020. As the latest operating system has lots of new features and improvements, and most of us want to install it as soon as we can. Most of the time, everything works out, and we’re up and running very quickly. Sometimes, however, it doesn’t go well, and you see a message saying that the macOS installation couldn’t be completed.
macOS Big Sur can't be installed on Macintosh HD
That's the most common message that shows up. What do you do then? We’re glad you asked because we have some answers below.
macOS Big Sur can't be installed on Macintosh HD
That's the most common message that shows up. What do you do then? We’re glad you asked because we have some answers below.
Before you attempt to install any major update to macOS, you should back up your Mac. If you use Time Machine, you can run a manual backup using that. If not, run a backup using whichever backup tool you usually use. If you don’t run scheduled backups – and you really should – clone your boot drive to an external disk before you start.
Why won’t macOS Big Sur install?
There are several possible reasons:
- There may or may not be much you can do about the internal storage on your Mac, but you can buy external ones and plan what goes where. Keep up with AppleInsider by downloading the AppleInsider app.
- Thinking of selling your old Mac so you can buy a new one, or because you have bought a new Mac. There are various ways in which you can sell it, and various services that can help you to do so.
- Your Mac doesn’t support Big Sur
- The update couldn’t be downloaded
- You don’t have enough disk space
- There’s a conflict in your system preventing the process from completing
Check if your Mac is compatible
Instantly access the controls you use most — like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth — and new controls to play music and enable Dark Mode for your display. Designed just for Mac, the new Control Center lets you add controls and drag favorites to the menu bar to customize it just for you.
Here’s the list of Macs that are supported by Apple for installing Big Sur. If your Mac isn’t on it, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to run Big Sur.
- Any Mac Pro or iMac Pro
- MacBook Pro and MacBook Air 2013 and later
- iMac and Mac mini 2014 and later
- MacBook 2015 and later
What to do if the macOS Big Sur download is stuck
- Check Apple’s System Status page for information about possible server issues on Apple’s end.
- Check your internet connection.
- Try to download it from the Mac App Store if your first attempt was through Software Update. If your first attempt was in the App Store, try Software Update.
If you see a message telling you that macOS cannot be installed or Big Sur is stuck on the progress bar, try the following.
Free up disk space with CleanMyMac X
You’ll need around 16GB of free space to upgrade to macOS Big Sur. However, even if you have more than that, your Mac may tell you that you can’t upgrade because it thinks you don’t have enough free space. This can happen for a number of reasons. The simplest solution is to free up more space. And the best way to do that is to use CleanMyMac X.
This app makes it very quick and easy to free up several gigabytes of space by getting rid of junk files that clog up your Mac. It can also be used to uninstall applications, identify large and old files, illustrate what’s taking up the most space, and even protect your Mac from malware. Here’s how to use it to free up space quickly.
- Download and install CleanMyMac X. It’s free to try it out.
- Press Scan.
- Press Run to remove all the junk files CleanMyMac has found, or click Review Details to find out more.
As you can see from the screengrab, I was able to save 10GB of disk space in just a few minutes.
macOS Big Sur stuck on 12.18 GB out of 12.18GB
Another common issue is when your download size reaches 12.18 GB and then the download just freezes. In this situation, don’t trust the progress bar report — it’s most likely a miscalculation. In fact, your download is still in progress — but the system is reading it differently.
So how to fix macOS Big Sur stuck on 12.18 GB
- 1. Disconnect from the internet (or turn off the Wi-Fi)
- 2. Re-connect so you’re online again.
- Check for the update and click the upgrade button.
Your download should resume — this time it may go faster as some components have been downloaded already.
If the progress bar stops again, disconnect from the internet and repeat the above steps.
So, 'reviving' the lost connection seems to be the fix.
If the progress bar stops again, disconnect from the internet and repeat the above steps.
So, 'reviving' the lost connection seems to be the fix.
Optimize your storage
As an alternative, you can also use Apple’s built-in storage management tool to free up some storage space.
- Click on the Apple menu and choose About this Mac.
- Choose Storage.
- Press Manage.
- Review the recommendations and follow those that are relevant.
- Go through each of the sections in turn and identify then delete files taking up lots of disk space – like old iOS backups, for example.
- When you’re done, press Command-Q to quit.
Try installing macOS Big Sur in Safe Mode
Sometimes launch agents, login items, or extensions that load when your Mac boots can cause problems when installing a new version of macOS. To check whether that’s the problem, you can restart your Mac in Safe Mode and then try updating it to Big Sur.
- Shut down your Mac.
- Wait ten seconds, then press the power button.
- As soon as your Mac starts up, press Shift.
- Release the Shift key when you see the Apple logo.
The free version of CleanMyMac X can also help manage and remove launch agents and login items. Choose the Optimization module in the sidebar to get started.
There are lots of reasons why your Mac won’t update to Big Sur. Thankfully, most of them can be fixed. If you follow the steps above, and particularly if you use CleanMyMac X to help, you should have it installed and running in no time.
A lot of new Mac users are so excited & overwhelmed by their purchases that they don’t even know where to start. While Macs do come out of the box ready to go, a little configuration here and a few applications there goes a long way.
Experienced Mac users tend to have a ritual or rundown of things they do when they take a shiny new Apple computer out of its box for the first time. Mac studio fix pressed powder ingredients. Everyone’s routine varies depending on their particular needs and usage habits, but the general idea is the same. It’s mostly about personalization and taking Mac OS X’s default functionality a few steps further.
Unfortunately, recent Windows converts and first-time computer buyers haven’t yet developed these kinds of “must-do” practices for themselves. So, in the name of making the process easier for newcomers, we’ve put together a collection of 16 things to do when first setting up your Mac. These suggestions are by no means considered to be required, but they do serve as a good jumping off point for most folks. And once you’ve got the basics down, you can dive deeper into the Mac community for more advanced tips & offerings.
1. Run Software Update
Apple is continuously pushing out new updates for their software to fix bugs, improve compatibility, and add features. Going to the Apple menu, then Software Update right off the bat will get your Mac off to a good start. Do it a few times, too, because some updates are only available after you install other ones.
2. Enable right-click
Why Apple doesn’t do this by default is beyond me. But that seemingly single-button MacBook trackpad or Magic Mouse is very capable of right-clicking. Just go to System Preferences, choose Trackpad or Mouse and check the box next to “Secondary click”.
3. Show the full date in the menu bar
The Mac menu bar only shows the day of the week and time in the upper-right corner. Assuming you’re running Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, you can also add the month and date to the menu bar by checking “Show date” in System Preferences under Date & Time > Clock. Users of older Mac OS X versions can follow this tutorial to show the full date in their menu bar.
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4. Set up Exposé and Spaces
Spaces is admittedly more of an advanced feature, but window management with Exposé is for everyone – especially combined with Active Screen Corners. Many new users don’t know it exists, though. Check out this in-depth video tutorial to see how Exposé and Spaces can improve your workflow and productivity.
5. Turn on the firewall
While we’re probably all fine without it thanks to Mac OS X’s excellent track record, an extra layer of security never hurts. Every Mac comes with a solid, easy to use firewall that can be enabled in System Preferences under Security. Switch it on and you’re good to go.
6. Set up Time Machine
Time Machine, Apple’s automated backup system is an absolute must for anyone who keeps valuable documents, photos, videos, music, and more on their Mac. Just plug in an external hard drive with enough free space and your Mac will know what to do.
7. Install Firefox
Now that the operating system tweaks are out of the way, it’s time to look at some must-have FREE 3rd party applications. First, of course, is Firefox. I consider Safari to be the best internet browser, but you never know when a certain site may require an alternative like Firefox to function correctly.
8. Install Glims for Safari
If you do choose to primarily use Safari, Glims is a fantastic add-on. It gives Safari a ton of additional features, especially in the area of search. Take a look our review of Glims for more details about what it offers.
Mac Cosmetics Mall
9. Install Flip4Mac WMV
No Windows Media Player for Mac means no compatibility with WMV and WMA files, right? Not so fast! Flip4Mac WMV is a simple plugin that makes QuickTime compatible with these media file formats.
10. Install Perian
At some point you’re likely to need compatibility with additional audio & video types. Much like Flip4Mac WMV, Perian is also a plugin that gives QuickTime access to even more file formats.
11. Install VLC Player
No matter how many QuickTime plugins you install, it will never work with everything all the time. That’s where VLC Player comes in. VLC is its own media player and it plays just about everything under the sun – perfect for those times when QuickTime doesn’t cut it.
12. Install Handbrake
Depending on how you use audio & video, Handbrake may or may not be a program you need. Do you want to rip movies from DVDs to play on your computer or iPod/iPhone? Do you need to convert video files from one format to another? Then you need Handbrake!
13. Install Chax or Adium
Everyone who uses iChat should have Chax, an add-on that opens Apple’s instant messaging program up to a slew of new features. But if that still doesn’t get iChat to a place you’d like it to be, give Adium a try. It’s a totally separate application that works with more IM services and is far more customizable than iChat, albeit not quite as polished.
14. Install Growl
Growl is a notification system that a ton of popular Mac applications support. Want to be notified when an IM buddy has signed on? When an FTP upload has finished? When a video conversion has completed? Growl is incredibly useful, but it’s only as useful as the supporting software you install. Adium, Chax, Handbrake, and Firefox all support it, for example.
15. Install StuffIt Expander
Mac OS X comes with support for ZIP files, which is the most common type of compressed folder. Every once in a while, though, you may run into a RAR file that you can’t open. StuffIt Expander takes care of that problem.
What To Do With Your Mac Before Selling It
16. Delete unused languages and architectures
What To Do With Your Mask
Did you know you can recover a few gigabytes of space on your hard drive just by removing extra language packs and outdated system architectures that come bundled in Mac OS X and 3rd party applications you’ve installed? I saved 4.5GB with a program called Monolingual, which you can learn more about in this walk-through.
What To Do With Your Microsoft Rewards
Microsoft office mac 3 licenses. Newcomers to the Mac platform should definitely benefit from this list. By completing these 16 steps, your new Mac will be configured for most of the challenges you’ll throw its way. And what about the Apple veterans out there? Feel free to share your favorite applications and operating system tweaks for when you’re first setting up a new Mac!