Fix Sequoia Update Issues [Failed to Personalize Software Update]

Updating macOS looks as easy as ABC, but when you get down to do it on your MacBook Pro/Air or Apple Silicon MacBook, the process is fraught with problems. One of the common update issues is "Failed to personalize the software update" when updating to macOS Sequoia.

Here we find the common macOS Sequoia update issues from Mac users:

I can't update my MacBook that in good condition to Sequoia with the error message "Failed to personalize the software update. Please try again."  I've checked everything but no luck. -  A user from Apple Discussions community

I keep getting the "failed to personalize the software update" window whenever I try to update my M1 MacBook Pro to macOS Sequoia. - A user from MacRumors forums

Unable to install macOS Sequoia. An error occurred while downloading the selected updates. - A user from reddit.com

No matter what macOS Sequoia update issues you face, we'll help you diagnose the causes and offer quick ways.

'Failed to Personalize the software update' when updating macOS Sequoia

Fix 1: Check the internet connection

From the error's description, the network problem is undoubtedly the first consideration. Maybe you have already done this job, but how did you do that?

It is not the wisest way to just disconnect and reconnect Wi-Fi. You are suggested to:

If there's no internet connection issue, move on to the next method.

Fix 2: Restart your Mac

Rebooting your Mac is the quickest way to fix the "Failed to personalize the software update" error when updating to macOS Sequoia. Sometimes, the temporary system bugs result in the update fault. A simple restart may drive away the errors and bring your Mac to the best state to be updated.

If you've tried this way, jump to the next.

Fix 3: Free up storage space on your Mac

The "Failed to Personalize the software update. An error occurred preparing the update." error message often pops up when 0 seconds are remaining to update macOS Sequoia. It probably arose from insufficient disk space.

You can exit the current update and clean up your Mac. Those system caches, user caches, trash, app caches, outdated downloads, etc. are the acknowledged junk files that always eat your disk space. Notably, system caches may bring unnecessary trouble when updating Sequoia.

Thus, remove them from your Mac to free up more space for the Sequoia installer. However, these files are scattered in different locations on your Mac. If you don't want to manually delete them one by one, you can use a Mac cleaner like iBoysoft DiskGeeker.

This disk management tool is featured with the Clean Junk feature. It can quickly search all the junk files on your Mac and allow you to delete them with one click.

Fix 4: Update macOS Sequoia in Safe Mode with Apple ID signed out

Using Terminal to download macOS Sequoia is an alternative when the error "Failed to Personalize the software update. An error occurred while downloading the selected updates" occurs. Then, install Sequoia in Safe Mode with Apple ID signed out to exclude interference from the third-party software and user Apple ID.

Fix 5: Upgrade to macOS Sequoia from Recovery Mode

When you fail to upgrade macOS Sequoia in normal mode, try to do that in macOS Recovery Mode.

Fix 6: Update to macOS Sequoia with a bootable USB installer

If the macOS Sequoia update is stuck yet after trying the above ways, you can try to create a macOS Sequoia bootable USB installer and use it to update to macOS Sequoia.

Refer to: How to install macOS Sequoia from a USB? 

Share these ways with others who also run into the "Failed to personalize the software update." error when updating to macOS Sequoia.

macOS Sequoia is not available in Software Update/App Store

You search for macOS Sequoia in the App Store but find no results, or Software Updates on MacBook Pro not showing Sequoia as an upgrade option. Even if no macOS Sequoia in macOS Recovery Mode.

Where can you find macOS Sequoia for download? You can follow these methods.

Fix 1: Check macOS Sequoia compatibility

Here's the list of Mac models that support macOS Sequoia:

If your Mac is incompatible with macOS Sequoia, it probably won't display in Software Update of your Mac's System Settings or the App Store.

If you insist on installing macOS Sequoia, you can follow: How to install macOS Sequoia on an unsupported Mac?

Fix 2: Download macOS Sequoia with the direct link

Perhaps the unstable Wi-Fi makes the latest macOS 15.0 won't be loaded in the App Store or Software Update.

You can reconnect the Wi-Fi and then try again. If Sequoia still does not appear in the two places on your Mac, click the direct link below to download the full macOS Sequoia installer.

Download macOS Sequoia

Tell others what to do if they can't find macOS Sequoia in Software Update or App Store.

Mac won't restart after macOS Sequoia update

It is also the common macOS Sequoia update problem for the Mac to fail to boot after completing the macOS Sequoia upgrade.

If you are struggling with the question "Why won't my MacBook restart after the update?", let's dig out the reasons.

• Errors are generated during the macOS Sequoia installation.
• Restarting an old Mac after a new macOS installation finishes requires more time.
• macOS Sequoia update failure.

Whatever the scenario you are in, follow our tips to resolve it.

Fix 1: Wait it out with the battery charged and the screen on

Although your Mac is compatible with macOS Sequoia, it is an old machine that may take a longer time to start from macOS Sequoia. Or, your Mac almost runs out of storage, making the device slow to run the new system.

You can wait a moment to let the Mac fully boot from macOS Sequoia. If your Mac is taking forever to restart after the update, jump to the next way.

Fix 2: Enter macOS Recovery Mode

When a Mac won't restart after an update, Recovery Mode can be the rescue. In macOS Recovery Mode, you can:

1. Run Disk Utility First Aid to check the startup disk and then reboot your Mac to see if it can be restarted successfully.

2. Cleanly install macOS Sequoia from Recovery Mode. In other words, erase your startup disk and then reinstall macOS Sequoia in Recovery Mode again.

However, a clean install of macOS Sequoia will result in data loss. If you haven't backed up your Mac before upgrading, use iBoysoft Mac Recovery Mode to rescue files from the unbootable Mac to avoid permanent data loss.

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