Helergon.com - The bad news that you are facing is an error where macOS cannot be installed on your computer, this can happen for a number of reasons. The good news is that you can get your Mac back up and running with minimal effort.

What Causes the 'macOS Could Not Be Installed' Error?

Several issues can cause problems. However, the error screen should give you an idea of what's going wrong.

Here are some messages you might see underneath the warning:

The path/System/Installation/Packages/OSInstall.mpkg appears to be missing or damaged.

An error occurred installing macOS.

Unable to unmount volume for repair.

Storage system verification or repair failed.

An error occurred while verifying firmware.

Some of these offer more information than others, but they point to different stages of the installation that failed. The following steps and fixes should sort out any of the problems mentioned above.

How to Fix the 'macOS Could Not Be Installed' Error

1. Restart and try the installation again. This may seem counterintuitive to redo the thing that didn't work, but sometimes a restart is all your Mac needs to sort itself out.

2. Check the Date & Time setting. If the displayed date and time don't match reality, this could be the problem. Restart your Mac again if necessary, and then go to System Preferences > Date & Time. Click the lock icon and enter your password (if necessary) to enable changes. Then click Set date and time automatically. After this, try the installation again to see if it works.

3. Check and Free up space. In some cases, macOS fails to install because there isn't enough space on the hard drive. To see how much is available, click the Apple logo and choose About This Mac > Storage. You'll see details about what's running on your computer.

Hover your mouse over the white space to the right of this bar to learn how much space is free. If it seems low, temporarily move some unimportant files to see if that will allow the installation to continue.

" Tips: Later versions of macOS also include a Manage option that offers suggestions and guidance to help you find things to remove. "

Delete the installer. Find the macOS Installer in your Finder's Downloads folder and drag it to the Trash. Then, download it again and retry.

Tips: You may need to force restart your Mac by holding down the Power button until it shuts down. Afterward, turn the Mac back on. You may also want to hold down Shift during the restart to boot up in Safe Mode so the installer doesn't try to run again.

5. Reset the NVRAM. This tiny chunk of memory stores basic information such as the time, monitor resolution, and which disk to start up from. You may need to go back into System Preferences to switch any settings this changed, but you can try the installation again before that to make sure the problem is resolved.

6. Restore from a backup. If you use Time Machine to regularly back up your Mac, you can go back to an earlier state using Recovery Mode to see if it's more compatible with the installer.

Make sure your backup drive is attached. Then, restart your computer and hold Command+R until the Apple logo appears. Instead of going to the Desktop, your computer prompts you to choose the main language and then opens a window called macOS Utilities.
In macOS Utilities, click Restore From Time Machine Backup. Then, click Continue.
You'll come to an intermediate screen with some information about what you're about to do. Click Continue to move ahead.
Choose the drive where you store your backups and click Continue again, which takes you to a screen where you can choose your most recent backup. Afterward, click Continue again.
Your computer restores the earlier backup, and you can see if the installation works.

7. Run Disk First Aid. This may help if you're getting the "Unable to mount volume" error. First Aid checks the internal hard drive and makes any fixes it can. It may even be able to mount the volume after it's done. Then you can retry the installation.

Still Need Help?

If none of the above worked, it may be time to turn your computer over to the professionals. Check out our guide on how to get your computer fixed for instructions on finding someone to solve the problem and what you need to do to prep your Mac for service.

FAQ: How to Fix 'macOS Could Not Be Installed on Your Computer' Error

1. What does the 'macOS Could Not Be Installed on Your Computer' error mean?

This error indicates that the macOS installation process has encountered an issue, preventing it from completing successfully. It can occur due to various reasons, such as corrupted installation files, hardware issues, or insufficient disk space.

2. What are the common causes of this error?

Corrupted Installation Files: The macOS installer may be damaged or incomplete.
Insufficient Disk Space: Your Mac may not have enough free space to install macOS.
Incompatible Hardware: Your Mac might not meet the minimum requirements for the version of macOS you are trying to install.
Network Issues: Problems with your internet connection can disrupt the download of installation files.

3. How can I troubleshoot this error?

Step 1: Check Disk Space

Ensure that your Mac has at least 15-20 GB of free space available.

Step 2: Use Disk Utility

Boot into Recovery Mode by holding Command (⌘) + R during startup.
Open Disk Utility and run First Aid on your startup disk to repair any potential issues.

Step 3: Re-download the Installer

If you’re using a USB installer, recreate it from a reliable source.
If downloading from the App Store, ensure that you have a stable internet connection and try downloading again.

Step 4: Reset NVRAM/PRAM

Restart your Mac and hold down Option + Command + P + R for about 20 seconds. This resets the NVRAM/PRAM, which may help with installation issues.

Step 5: Install macOS in Safe Mode

Boot your Mac in Safe Mode by holding the Shift key during startup. This can help bypass some issues and allow the installation to complete.

4. What if none of these solutions work?

If the error persists, consider:

Backing Up Your Data: Use a Time Machine or another backup method.
Performing a Clean Install: This will erase your Mac's disk and install a fresh copy of macOS. Make sure to back up your data first.
Contacting Apple Support: If you're unable to resolve the issue, it might be best to consult with Apple Support or visit an Apple Store.

5. Can I prevent this error in the future?

Always ensure your Mac meets the system requirements for the version of macOS you intend to install.
Keep your macOS and applications updated to avoid compatibility issues.
Regularly check your disk space and perform maintenance using Disk Utility.