Written by
Amanda Wong
Summary: There are effective fixes for the issue can't download macOS Sequoia in Software Update. Follow this post to solve the macOS Sequoia download stuck/failed or the message 'an error occurred while downloading.' Free up disk space with iBoysoft DiskGeeker to ensure enough storage for downloading macOS Sequoia.
macOS Sequoia was finally available on September 16, 2024, two months after the release of the first beta version. The appealing new features such as Apple Intelligence, Window Tilling, iPhone Mirroring, etc., may attract you to uninstall macOS Sequoia beta and update your Mac to the public version.
However, the process doesn't go well, you run into the macOS Sequoia update issues like can't download macOS Sequoia.
In my case, I taped the Upgrade Now button, it began to download the macOS Sequoia installer, it estimated the process would take about 2 hours, when it finished, an error message popped up "Failed to personalise the software update. Please try again. An error occurred while downloading the selected updates. Please check your internet connection and try again":
I also read some forum posts reporting the macOS Sequoia download issues such as macOS Sequoia download stuck, macOS Sequoia download won't complete, and so forth. When you fail to download the macOS installer, you can't install macOS Sequoia, which is annoying.
Here, we will explore the possible causes and workable solutions to help fix macOS Sequoia download failure.
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Why you can't download macOS Sequoia in Software Update?
If it successfully finds the latest macOS Sequoia in Software Update, it indicates that your Mac model should be compatible with the macOS Sequoia, and then we should analyze the macOS Sequoia download stuck/failure from other aspects. Generally, when you can't download macOS Sequoia, the causes could be:
- Upgrading from older macOS versions. If you are upgrading from an older version to macOS Sequoia, you can't make it via Software Update. You should download macOS Sequoia from the Mac App Store.
- Insufficient disk space on the startup disk. The entire macOS Sequoia installer is 15GB, if the free disk space is not enough, you can't install macOS Sequoia on the device.
- Poor internet connection. The unstable and poor network could interrupt the downloading or slow down the process.
- Apple server outage. Too many Mac users simultaneously downloading macOS Sequoia causing the error.
- Temporary system glitches. Some minor system errors could prevent you from downloading macOS Sequoia.
Tips: Correctly prepare Mac to upgrade to macOS Sequoia can avoid some issues while upgrading macOS including checking the compatibility, checking available disk space, backing up your Mac, ensuring a stable and quality internet connection, power connection, etc.
Let others know the possible causes why they can't download macOS Sequoia!
How to fix can't download macOS Sequoia error/download stuck?
macOS Sequoia download issues like macOS download stuck, macOS download slow, and macOS download won't complete, have been encountered with many Mac users. It is necessary to fix this issue so that you can successfully upgrade to macOS Sequoia. Here, we conclude with some effective solutions, just try them one by one.
Note: It may state that an error happened during the downloading, preparation, or installation process, or it might say that there was a problem with the installer or that it wasn't verified. Various things can trigger these kinds of messages, and occasionally they're just temporary. Please give that a try first if the notice suggests a fix, such as downloading the installer again.
Check the network connection and download it again
If you receive the message "Failed to personalise the software update. Please try again. An error occurred while downloading the selected updates. Please check your internet connection and try again", you can follow the recommended solution to check the internet.
- Open the Apple menu > System Settings, then select Network in the sidebar.
- Check the network connection status. A green status indicator below the service name indicates a good connection.
You can read the following post to troubleshoot the network issue further:
(2024) Mac Connected to WiFi but No Internet [Why & Fixes]
Why & Fix Ethernet Connected but No Internet on Mac
Once there is no network connection issue, click the Upgrade Now button to download macOS Sequoia again.
Download macOS Sequoia from the Mac App Store
If you fail to download macOS Sequoia in Software Update, you can try to get it from the Mac App Store. Besides, if you attempt to upgrade from macOS Ventura and earlier versions to macOS Sequoia, you should also download it from the Mac App Store.
- Launch the App Store on your Mac.
- Then click Updates from the sidebar. It will automatically search for updates. If the update is compatible with your device, macOS Sequoia should appear. You can also search "macOS Sequoia" with the search box.
- Click Update, or click View > Get to download the macOS Sequoia.
Ensure enough disk space on your Mac
Perhaps, the free disk space is not enough for the macOS Sequoia, then it fails to download it. You can check storage on Mac via the Disk Utility, Finder Get Info, About This Mac, and other ways. Ensure the available disk space is larger than the macOS Sequoia package which is acclaimed to be 14.74GB.
In case, the available disk space is less than that needed for upgrading macOS Sequoia, you can quickly use iBoysoft DiskGeeker to analyze the disk space and clean junk files and unused files altogether.
Check Apple server status
On Apple's status page, you can see if the various servers are up and running. Search the list for "macOS Software Update." If there is a green dot adjacent to it, it is functioning. If not, you will need to hold off on trying to upgrade to macOS Sequoia until it is.
Disable Find My Mac
If you received the Failed to personalise the Software Update, you can try to disable Find My Mac, some Mac users shared this solution and they successfully downloaded macOS Sequoia after turning off Find My Mac. Here's how:
- Choose the Apple menu and select System Settings.
- Tap [your name] at the top of the sidebar.
- Then click iCloud, click Find My Mac, or click See All next to Saved to iCloud on macOS Sequoia Beta, and click Turn Off next to Find My Mac.
Log out and log in to the Apple ID
In case turning off Find My Mac doesn't work on your devices, you can try to log out of your Apple ID/iCloud to log in to it again. This may fix the macOS Sequoia download issue. Just follow the steps below:
- Head to the Apple menu > System Settings, then tap your name at the top of the sidebar.
- Scroll down to the bottom, and click the Sign Out button.
- Follow the onscreen instructions for copying and downloading your data stored in iCloud.
- Then click Sign in at the top of the sidebar.
- Enter your Apple Account email address or phone number, and click Continue.
- Enter your password, click Continue, then follow the onscreen guide.
Use macOS bootable installer
Unluckily, you can't install macOS Sequoia with the above methods, there is another workaround you can try, which is to use a macOS bootable installer. If there is another healthy Mac that is comparable with macOS Sequoia, try to create a macOS bootable installer for macOS Sequoia on that Mac, and use it to install macOS Sequoia on your Mac.
Which solution works for your case? Share it to help others!
