Introduction

"Stuck on Preparing Update" is one of the most common issues encountered when updating macOS. You've started the update process, but your Mac seems frozen on the "Preparing to Update" screen for an unusually long time.

A Mac stuck on the "Preparing to Update" screen during macOS update

This comprehensive guide will walk you through multiple solutions to this problem, starting with simple fixes and progressing to more advanced methods if needed.

Why Updates Get Stuck

Before diving into solutions, it helps to understand why this issue occurs. The "Preparing to Update" phase involves several complex processes:

Verifying the downloaded update package
Checking your system for compatibility
Creating a recovery partition
Preparing file system changes
Backing up critical system files

Updates can get stuck for various reasons:

Corrupted download: The update files may be incomplete or damaged
Disk issues: Problems with your storage drive, insufficient space, or file system errors
Software conflicts: Third-party software interfering with the update process
Hardware issues: Problems with RAM, storage, or other components
Interrupted process: A previous failed update attempt that wasn't properly cleared

Before Attempting Fixes

Before proceeding with any troubleshooting steps, ensure you've taken these precautions:

Preparation Checklist

Back up your data: If possible, create a Time Machine backup before attempting any fixes
Connect to power: Make sure your Mac is connected to a power source
Stable internet: Ensure you have a reliable internet connection
Free space: Verify you have at least 20GB of free storage space
Time available: Some solutions might take 1-2 hours to complete

Solution 1: Be Patient

Before assuming your Mac is truly stuck, give it sufficient time to complete the preparation stage.

Is it really stuck?

The "Preparing to Update" process can legitimately take a long time, especially:

On older Macs with slower processors
When updating from a very old macOS version to a much newer one
On Macs with hard drives rather than SSDs
When you have a large amount of data on your Mac

How long should you wait?

For minor updates: 30-60 minutes is reasonable
For major version upgrades: 1-2 hours is not uncommon
For very old Macs: Up to 3 hours in extreme cases

Look for signs of activity such as:

Hard drive or SSD activity (if your Mac has indicator lights)
Fan noise indicating CPU activity
Slight changes in the progress bar (though it might be very slow)

Tip: If you've waited the recommended time based on your Mac and update type, and see absolutely no progress, you can proceed to the next solution.

Solution 2: Force Restart and Try Again

If you've determined your Mac is truly stuck, the simplest solution is to force restart and try again.

How to force restart your Mac:

Press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds until your Mac turns off
Wait 30 seconds
Press the power button again to turn your Mac back on
Once your Mac has restarted, try the update again:
- Go to System Settings > General > Software Update (or System Preferences > Software Update on older versions)
- Click "Update Now" or "Upgrade Now"

Note: Force restarting is generally safe when your Mac is stuck on "Preparing to Update" because at this stage, the update hasn't actually started modifying system files yet.

Solution 3: Update in Safe Mode

If a normal restart didn't help, try updating in Safe Mode, which starts your Mac with minimal extensions and can bypass software conflicts.

How to start in Safe Mode (Intel Macs):

Shut down your Mac
Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold the Shift key
Release the Shift key when you see the login screen
You might need to log in twice
You should see "Safe Boot" in the top-right corner of the screen

How to start in Safe Mode (Apple Silicon Macs):

Shut down your Mac
Press and hold the power button until you see "Loading startup options"
Select your startup disk
Press and hold the Shift key while clicking "Continue in Safe Mode"
Release the Shift key
Log in to your Mac

Update in Safe Mode:

Once in Safe Mode, go to System Settings > General > Software Update (or System Preferences > Software Update)
Click "Update Now" or "Upgrade Now"
Wait for the update to complete (this may take longer than usual)

Tip: Safe Mode can resolve issues caused by third-party software conflicts, startup items, or corrupted caches that might be interfering with the update process.

Solution 4: Reset NVRAM and SMC

Resetting your Mac's NVRAM/PRAM and SMC (System Management Controller) can resolve various system-level issues that might be preventing updates from progressing.

Reset NVRAM/PRAM (Intel Macs):

Shut down your Mac
Turn it on and immediately press and hold Option+Command+P+R
Hold these keys for about 20 seconds
Release the keys when your Mac restarts again or you hear the startup sound a second time

Reset SMC (Intel Mac notebooks with non-removable battery):

Shut down your Mac
Press and hold Shift+Control+Option on the left side of the keyboard, then press and hold the power button
Hold all four keys for 10 seconds
Release all keys
Press the power button to turn on your Mac

Reset SMC (Intel Mac desktops):

Shut down your Mac
Unplug the power cord
Wait 15 seconds
Plug the power cord back in
Wait 5 seconds, then press the power button to turn on your Mac

Note: Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, etc.) don't need manual SMC or NVRAM resets as they automatically manage these functions. Simply restart your Apple Silicon Mac normally.

After resetting:

Once your Mac restarts, try the update again through System Settings > General > Software Update

Solution 5: Use Terminal Commands

If the graphical update method continues to get stuck, you can try using Terminal commands to download and install the update directly.

Check for available updates:

Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities)
Type the following command and press Return:

softwareupdate --list

This will display a list of available updates.

Install all recommended updates:

In Terminal, type the following command and press Return:

sudo softwareupdate --install --recommended

You'll be prompted to enter your administrator password. Note that when typing your password, you won't see any characters or asterisks on screen—this is normal.

Install a specific update:

If you want to install a specific update from the list, use:

sudo softwareupdate --install [UPDATE-NAME]

Replace [UPDATE-NAME] with the full name of the update as it appeared in the list from the first command.

Tip: The Terminal method can sometimes work when the graphical interface gets stuck because it bypasses some of the System Settings interface layers that might be causing problems.

Solution 6: Use a Bootable Installer

If all previous solutions fail, creating and using a bootable installer is the most reliable way to update or upgrade macOS while bypassing the normal update process.

Step 1: Create a bootable installer

Follow our detailed guide: How to Create a Bootable macOS USB Installer

Step 2: Boot from the installer

Connect your bootable USB drive to your Mac
Restart your Mac while holding the appropriate key:
- Intel Macs: Hold the Option (⌥) key during startup
- Apple Silicon Macs: Press and hold the power button until "Loading startup options" appears
Select your bootable installer from the startup options

Step 3: Install macOS

Once booted from the installer, select "Install macOS [Version]" from the utilities window
Follow the on-screen instructions
When prompted to select a disk, choose your main drive
Important: Select the option to install/upgrade without erasing your disk to preserve your data
Complete the installation process

Warning: While this method preserves your data by default, it's still crucial to have a backup before proceeding, as unexpected issues can always occur during the installation process.

How to Prevent Future Issues

To minimize the chances of encountering "Stuck on Preparing Update" in the future, follow these best practices:

Before every update:

Create a backup: Always make a Time Machine backup before updating
Free up space: Ensure you have at least 20GB of free storage space
Check compatibility: Verify your Mac is compatible with the update
Update apps: Update your applications before updating macOS
Disconnect peripherals: Remove external drives and devices except keyboard, mouse, and power
Use a wired connection: Connect to the internet via Ethernet if possible
Maintain your Mac: Regularly use Disk Utility's First Aid feature to check for and fix disk issues
Choose the right time: Avoid updating during peak hours when Apple's servers might be overloaded

Tip: Consider having a bootable installer ready before major macOS upgrades. This gives you an alternative installation method if the standard update process encounters problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my data if I force restart during "Preparing to Update"?

Generally, no. During the "Preparing to Update" phase, macOS hasn't yet started modifying system files. It's primarily analyzing and preparing for the update. Force restarting at this stage typically doesn't cause data loss. However, once the actual installation begins (after the preparation phase), force restarting can potentially lead to a corrupted system.

How long is normal for "Preparing to Update" to take?

The normal time varies based on multiple factors:

For minor updates on newer Macs with SSDs: 10-30 minutes
For major updates on newer Macs: 30-60 minutes
For major updates on older Macs or those with hard drives: 1-2 hours

If the preparation phase extends significantly beyond these timeframes, it's likely stuck.

Can I update macOS without an internet connection?

You need an internet connection to download the update initially, but once downloaded, you don't need internet to install it. Alternatively, you can create a bootable installer on another Mac that has internet access, then use that to update your Mac without requiring an internet connection during the installation.

Is it safe to use third-party cleanup tools before updating?

While third-party cleanup tools can help free up space, use them with caution before updating. Some aggressive cleanup tools might remove cache files that are important for the update process. Stick to trusted applications and avoid clearing system caches right before an update. Apple's built-in storage management tools (System Settings > General > Storage > Manage) are the safest option.

My Mac keeps getting stuck at the same point every time I try to update. What should I do?

If your Mac consistently gets stuck at the same point despite trying multiple solutions, it might indicate a hardware issue or significant system corruption. In this case:

Try a clean installation using a bootable installer
If possible, run Apple Diagnostics (hold D during startup) to check for hardware issues
Consider consulting Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider

Fix for "Stuck on Preparing Update" Issue in macOS

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