The users of the Mac devices often come across a variety of errors. “MacOS could not be installed on your computer” is one of them. It generally arises at the time when you try to install an update. If this is the error message you are stuck with, and searching for what to do next to fix the issue. Then, you can proceed further with this article. This article covers all the important information, which you may be searching after getting the error. So, check it out.
What Causes the “MacOS Could Not Be Installed on your Computer” Error?
The error message window, which gets appear on the screen will tell you the whole story which is responsible for causing the “MacOS could not be installed on your computer” error and are as follows:
“The path /System/Installation/Packages/OSInstall.mpkg appears to be missing or damaged.
Quit the installer to restart your computer and try again”
OR,
“An error occurred while verifying firmware”
OR,
“An error occurred installing macOS”
OR,
“Storage system verify or repair failed”
OR,
“Unable to unmount volume for repair”
These above are the variety of messages which come written along with the error message on the screen.
And hopefully, from these above messages, you are able to identify the probable causes responsible for the “MacOS could not be installed on your computer” error. Though, we have stated them below.
- Incorrect Date and Time settings on Mac
- Lack of memory space on the internal hard drive
- Corrupt or damaged MacOS files
- Mac’s NVRAM or PRAM issues
- Conflict with another program
No matter, what be the reason for the error. After you study this article thoroughly, you will get to learn the effective methods, with the application of which many of the users were getting the error resolved.
Methods to Resolve “MacOS Could Not Be Installed On Your Computer” Error
After long research regarding the “MacOS could not be installed on your computer” topic, here, we have suggested you a few effective methods with which you may get the issue solved. So, check them out as given below.
Method 1: Check that Mac’s Date and Time are on Set Automatically
The foremost thing which you need to verify is the date and time, which is displayed on to your Mac device. If it is set incorrectly, then this will restrict you to install the updates and result in such an error message. If you find that the time and date is not matched with your location, then you can fix it by following the steps as below.
At first, go to the Apple logo, which is present at the top-left of the screen, and then click on it to open the menu window. Now, from this Apple menu window, select the “System Preferences” option. After that, under the System Preferences, click on “Date & Time”. Now, check the below left-hand corner of the window, is the lock symbol indicates open or not. And if the lock is not open, then you need to click on it. After that, enter the password (if necessary) to enable changes. Once the lock gets open, now, you have to enable the checkbox for “Set date and time automatically”, which you will get at the top portion of this “Date &Time” tab window.
After doing this aforesaid task, you will find that the date and time issue of your Mac gets sorted. Now, retry to update your Mac Operating System, to check if the “MacOS could not be installed on your computer” error gets resolved. In case, if still, the error persists then you need to proceed to the further methods as stated below.
Method 2: Reset NVRAM (PVRAM for Older Version of Mac)
If you find that the date and time are OK on your Mac device and the error message exists while you are trying to install Mac update. Then, you can try this method.
NVRAM or Non-Volatile Random Access Memory is small memory storage which is used to access the store settings rapidly. The store settings include display resolution, time zone, start-up disk selection and many more. If there is anything wrong with NVRAM, then, this can result in a problem to install Mac update. In this situation, to solve the problem, you need to reset NVRAM. And the steps you need to follow for this purpose are as below.
Firstly, press and hold the power button to shut down the Mac device. In the next turn, again, you need to press and hold the Power button for a few seconds to start the device. As you see that the Mac device indicates that it turns on, immediately you need to press all these below-said keys at a time and then, keep it held for 15-20 seconds. Then, you need to wait, until, the Mac device gets on. These are the overall steps to follow to reset NVRAM.
- Option
- Command
- P
- R
Once you have reset the NVRAM for Mac. Then, you can utilize the System Preferences option, which you will get under the Apple menu to change any settings that were restored.
After resetting the NVRAM storage, try to install the MacOS update to check if the issue is resolved or not.
Method 3: Free Up Storage Space on Your Mac
Many times it is found that insufficient storage space on Mac is the culprit reason for the “MacOS could not be installed on your computer” error. If this is the case, to verify, you can check the storage status on your device, at first. And if you found that yes this is the problem, then, you need to free up some space on your device before you try to install MacOS update. So, let’s check the storage status at first.
First of all, you need to open the Apple menu. And for that, click on the Apple logo which is present at the upper left-most corner on the screen. After that from the list, select the “About This Mac” option. Next, click on the Storage tab, and verify how much space is left on your computer. If you find that the almost space is captured, then you need to free some space on your device. And for that, uninstall or delete the files or application which are not important for you from your Mac device. After you free some space, restart the device and then proceed to install the MacOS update. Hopefully, this time you will not get the error message during the update process.
Tips: If you found that every file stored in the device are important then you can make a backup for the file before you delete it. You can use an online storage facility for this purpose. Or, else transfer the files into a USB device before you delete, to keep it safe from loosing.
Method 4: Run the Disk First Aid Utility
This is another effective method to fix the “MacOScould not be installed on your computer” error. If after following all these above-said methods, you still stuck with the problem then try this method. The steps to follow to perform this method is very easy and are as explained below.
Firstly, you need to shut down your Mac device. And for that, press and hold the Power button for a few seconds.
Next, again, press and hold the Power button to start. As the Mac device indicates that it is going to turn on, immediately press and hold the Shift key. Pressing the Shift key will boot your Mac into Safe mode. After that, enter the credentials of your account to get login to the Mac device.
Next, click on the “Go” menu tab. After that, from the menu window, select the “Utilities” option. Under the “Utilities” window, double-click on “Disk Utility”. Next, select the “First Aid” tab. Then, here you need to select the main drive of the device for going through a repair scan. First Aid utility will identify the problem. And if possible, then, it will fix the glitch present on the drive.
Further, restart your computer to get the full effect of this method. After that, try to update MacOS to check if the issue gets resolved.
Method 5: Restore From Time Machine Backup
“Restore From Time Machine Backup” is another safest way to fix the “MacOS could not be installed on your computer” error. You can try this method. And the steps to follow to restore Mac are as below.
At first, you need to press and hold the power button to shut down the Mac device. After that, press and hold the power button to turn on the device. Once you see that the screen lights up, immediately press both the Command and the letter “R” key at a time and hold it until the Apple logo appears. This will boot your computer into Utilities. Now, from the open window, you need to set your language in the Language field. And then click on the Continue” button.
Further, on this next window, you need to select the “Restore From Time Machine Backup” option. And then click on the “Continue” button. After that, from the “Select a Backup Source” window, click on “Time Machine Backups”> Continue. Then, from the available options, select the most recent backup point. Now, wait until the process gets over. Next, check if the problem gets solved.
Method 6: Delete> Download> Install MacOS Installer
A possible cause of the “MacOS could not be installed on your computer” error is corrupt or incomplete MacOS installer file. If this is the case, then to solve it, you first, you need to remove the present installer from your device. And you can do it, with the help of the Finder’s download folder. Once, you locate the file, drag it to the Trash. And then, you can retry to download the MacOS installer from the official site using the Safari browser. But this time, ensure that, no problem can arise during the downloading task. A problem during the downloading time, can lead to incomplete or corrupt MacOS installer download and thus result in the error further.
Once, you download the MacOS installer successfully, follow the onscreen instructions to install it. This method will definitely give you success in resolving the error.
All these are the effective methods with the application of which you can solve the “MacOS could not be installed on your computer” error efficiently. Hopefully, you will not skip any of the methods before you come to a conclusion regarding the methods. In case, you have any queries regarding this explained topic, you can leave a message on the comment section as given below.