1. Force Setup Assistant Mac Catalina
2. Can't Install Macos Catalina
3. Force Install Mac Os Catalina On 2012 Macbook Pro
4. How To Force Install Catalina
5. Why I Cannot Install Macos Catalina

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Apr 20, 2020 Unable to Install New apps on macOS Catalina, Fix. If you are experiencing challenges around installing new apps on macOS Catalina, chances are that it is likely due to the new security changes on macOS Catalina. We have written a detailed post that addresses dealing with this issue. Please check and see if it helps your situation. Install macOS in Safe Mode. Another way to install Catalina, Mojave, Sierra or High Sierra successfully is to install the macOS in safe mode. To get your Mac into Safe mode: As you Mac start up, hold down the Shift key until the Apple logo appears. When you Mac is in Safe mode, go to App Store and get the High Sierra update. Reset the NVRAM.

macOS 11 is a big hit. Announced in June and released in November 2020, this macOS update features the biggest design change in 20 years. No wonder, many want to see it — the sooner the better. Starting November 12, everyone can install a public version of macOS 11.

But there are lots of buts. Just as any major software update, macOS Big Sur might be misbehaving on your Mac. Starting with your Mac being “not good enough” for it. So whether you try the beta or install the public version, macOS Big Sur problems are possible. In this article, we’ll describe all reported macOS 11 issues and the ways to fix them.

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How to fix macOS Big Sur problems known so far

Here's quick navigation through all known macOS 11 problems:

macOS won't download

All macOS updates show up in the Software Update section, in the main Apple menu. You should be ready to give your Mac some time to download the new version of macOS. But if it takes hours, or Big Sur won’t download at all, this could be a sign something is wrong.

If you have any macOS Big Sur update problems, here are the possible fixes:

1. Check device compatibility

macOS Big Sur ends support for a few old Mac models that are compatible with macOS Catalina. So before you do any troubleshooting, make sure your Mac can run macOS 11 in the first place. Here’s the full list of compatible devices:

• MacBook (2015 or later)
• MacBook Air (2013 or later)
• MacBook Pro (2013 or later)
• Mac Pro (2013 or later)
• Mac Mini (2014 or later)
• iMac (2014 or later)
• iMac Pro (2017 or later).

2. Boost your Internet connection

As we’ve mentioned earlier, macOS download is a tough job for your Mac. Make sure you have a reliable Internet connection before getting started. If you use Wi-Fi, the best way to keep your connection controlled is use the WiFi Explorer app. It’s a quick network scanning tool that gives you insights on your Internet signal — and even helps troubleshoot some basic problems.

3. Check Apple’s system status page

It’s a page on apple.com where you can check whether specific Apple servers are currently running. In rare cases, it might be possible that your download server is down and it hampers the macOS Big Sur download. It’s definitely not something that happens often, but make sure you cross this one off your list.

Force Setup Assistant Mac Catalina

4. Fix wrong macOS version downloading

According to many users, when trying to install the Big Sur profile, they end up with macOS 10.15.6. Here’s the solution recommended by Steffen Voglmann on Apple Developer Forum:

1. Open Terminal > sudo -i > enter root password
2. Copy and paste the following to command line: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Seeding.framework/Versions/A/Resources/seedutil
3. Next, copy and paste the following: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Seeding.framework/Versions/A/Resources/seedutil unenroll
4. If you use a developer beta, enroll in the DeveloperSeed Beta by once again copying and pasting the following: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Seeding.framework/Versions/A/Resources/seedutil enroll DeveloperSeed
5. Close Terminal and open System Preferences > Software Update
6. Find the new macOS profile under Software Update.

Another issue might be macOS Big Sur appears as 10.16 in Software Update. Don’t be confused by the number — this is the profile you’re looking for. Previously, users reported macOS Big Sur beta used 10.16 version name instead of macOS 11. However, this is reportedly fixed in the public release.

5. Free up space on your Mac

The thing with macOS updates is they need space. Since there’s no official recommendation as to how much disk space you should free up for Big Sur, we just try to learn from the past. As the experience shows, you’ll need to have at least 15GB of space available on Mac. But why bother if you can get the maximum with CleanMyMac X? This simple app runs a scan on your Mac, detecting anything that can be deleted. From old caches to mail attachments to duplicates. You will be surprised there are files on your Mac that occupy gigabytes of space — yet bring no value at all. CleanMyMac X ensures it’s all gone, in seconds.

Read more about macOS Big Sur system requirements here.

macOS Big Sur won’t install

No particular reason why this happens, it just happens. You seem to have downloaded macOS Big Sur, and then it gets stuck during the installation process. One way to solve this might be rebooting your Mac in Safe Mode: hold down Shift while rebooting and then restart the installation process. If this doesn’t help, try resetting NVRAM:

1. Shut down your Mac
2. Hold down Option + Command + P + R for about 20 seconds
3. Wait until your Mac restarts and try reinstalling macOS Big Sur.

Apple also recommends resetting SMC on laptops and desktop computers with the T2 security chip (you can check whether your Mac has it by accessing the Apple menu > About This Mac > System Report > Controller).

To reset SMC on a Mac with the T2 chip:

1. Shut down your Mac
2. Press and hold Shift + Ctrl + Option for about 7 seconds (make sure the cable is plugged in)
3. While holding the keys, press and hold the power button for another 7 seconds
4. Restart your computer.

To reset SMC on a desktop computer with the T2 chip:

1. Shut down your computer
2. Unplug the power cord, wait for about 15 seconds, and plug it back in
3. Wait a few seconds and restart the computer.

Monitor your Big Sur health

There’s no way macOS Big Sur can harm your Mac if you have iStat Menus app. Stay in the know about your Mac’s performance.

Apps won’t launch or slow down on launch

During the Big Sur release on November 12, many Mac users couldn’t launch apps or experienced extremely slow app launch. Interestingly, even some non-Big Sur users complained about non-Apple apps slowing down or acting unresponsive.

After a few hours of panic and disturbing tweets, it became clear that the problem had to do with app notarization. Apparently, Apple servers were so overwhelmed with Big Sur that it slowed down notarization confirmations. As of now, the problem has been fixed.

If you still experience issues with apps, it might have to do with login items or system clutter. Learn what to do if apps are slowing down here.

Big Sur fails to boot

Some users report they experience troubles with Mac startup after successfully updating to macOS 11. So if you try to turn on your Mac and macOS Big Sur won’t boot, the loading screen seems stuck, or you can’t log in to your account, here are the possible fixes:

• Try to force restart your Mac
• Check the power supply and plug the charger if it’s disconnected
• Use a different account to log in
• Boot into Recovery mode and run First Aid via Disk Utility
• If nothing helps, go into Safe mode and try reinstalling macOS Big Sur.

macOS Big Sur freezing

With macOS 11 up and running, it’s important it runs smoothly. Sometimes, new macOS versions tend to cause freezing. With macOS Big Sur in particular, some users report the freezing is followed by an unexpected system restart. Since freezing is a performance issue, optimizing overall performance could help. From what we’ve tried, CleanMyMac X and its Maintenance feature can be a great solution:

1. Open Maintenance in CleanMyMac X
2. Check the boxes next to “Run maintenance scripts,” “Free up RAM,” and any other option that might affect performance
3. Hit Run.

macOS Big Sur battery drain

One of the common macOS 11 Big Sur issues is battery getting to its low point — faster than before. Here are the ways to solve the problem:

• Find out the energy impact of apps. Traditionally, new operating systems feature updated and new apps, which might put extra pressure on your machine. To know exactly what apps are draining battery, use Apple’s built-in Activity Monitor. You’ll find insights on the energy impact of every active (or recently active) app under the Energy tab.

• Use iStat Menus for system monitoring. If you want a more advanced Activity Monitor alternative, try iStat Menus. It will show “Apps using significant energy” right in your menu bar. What’s more, the app can monitor a whole lot of different indicators — from CPU to disk usage to memory load.

• Get a MacBook battery extender. This is a universal fix. Endurance is an app that can make your Mac’s battery last longer, whatever macOS you use. It slows down apps that work in the background, gradually dims the screen (you won’t even notice this), and lowers your Mac’s processing speed for when you’re working on simple tasks.

Bluetooth problems on macOS Big Sur

Bluetooth misbehavior is quite common after the macOS update. Here’s a quick way to fix Bluetooth not working on macOS Big Sur:

1. Press Shift + Option
2. Click on the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar
3. Select Reset the Bluetooth module > Ok
4. Restart your Mac.

macOS Big Sur running slow

First of all, be prepared for a slow download. According to numerous reports, macOS Big Sur downloads much slower than the previous versions. This doesn’t seem to be a bug, so there’s nothing to fix about it. Just make sure you don’t start updating in case you need your Mac in working mode in the nearest time.

And what if the installation went right but your Mac has been slowing down ever after? The problem might be old apps or too many apps working in the background. Here’s what you should do:

• Disable login items. This is the first thing to try because too many apps launching at startup hamper your Mac’s performance. You can stop apps from working in the background in System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items. Simply check the boxes next to login items and hit the minus button.

• Track performance and remove the clutter. iStat Menus and CleanMyMac X make the perfect match when it comes to fixing any macOS Big Sur issues. This is not an exception. Too many things might make your Mac go slow. iStat Menus will help you see what the problem is, and CMM X will run a smart cleanup to optimize performance.

• Reset SMC. If nothing works, resetting SMC might be a way out. We’ve described how it works above.

Network problems on Big Sur

If your Mac won’t connect to Wi-Fi after the Big Sur upgrade, here’s what you need to do:

1. Open System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi
2. Click on Advanced in the bottom right corner
3. Remove Wi-Fi connections by unchecking the boxes
4. Save the changes and restart your Mac.

In case your Mac connects to Wi-Fi but the network misbehaves in some way (for instance, the signal seems to be unstable or too low), use the WiFi Explorer app to scan your network environment. It will quickly inspect your Wi-Fi connection and indicate whether there’s any trouble.

If nothing helps, reset your SMC and try reconnecting. We’ve described how to reset SMC on Mac above.

USB 2.0 connection problem

Owners of the new 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro released in 2020 might not be able to connect USB 2.0 accessories like keyboards or mice to their Macs via hubs and adapters. This is not exactly the Big Sur problem and was first reported on macOS Catalina. While Apple has recently fixed it with the 10.15.6 Catalina update, the problem persists on macOS Big Sur. The only possible solution so far is to restart your Mac and try reconnecting.

Menu bar disappears on macOS 11 Big Sur

If your redesigned desktop misses the menu bar on macOS Big Sur, don’t worry. This is easy to fix:

1. Open System Preferences > Users & Groups
2. Click on Login Options and type your admin password
3. Disable the option “Show fast user switching menu as”
4. Once the menu bar is back, go to System Preferences once again and select Dock & Menu Bar (the new preference pane that lets you show/hide controls)
5. Disable Fast User Switching to remove it from Control Center.

These are all known macOS 11 Big Sur issues reported so far. Hopefully, this guide helps you get your Mac up and running with the new, fully redesigned system. You’ll learn it’s definitely worth the effort: macOS 11 covers a new sidebar look, curated notifications, enhanced Maps and Messages, and more. You don’t want to miss this.

To ensure you stay on the safe side and can fix all Big Sur macOS issues on the go, get iStat Menus, CleanMyMac X, and Endurance with Setapp. It’s a curated membership of 190+ apps that are all free for 7 days. So if you won’t need them to fix macOS problems (which we hope you won’t), you’ll need them for lots of other jobs.

If you haven’t found your problem on the list, we encourage you to try a system clean up anyways. It can help solve lots of macOS Big Sur issues by boosting your Mac’s capabilities. Otherwise, stay tuned. We’ll be updating this article as new issues emerge.

Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.

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Big Sur is a terrific update to macOS. But, like any new operating system, it’s not without its problems. For example, Catalina caused many problems, some of them serious, for many users. Thankfully, for most of us, the problems we’re likely to run into are much less serious and usually have a straightforward fix. In this article, we’ll examine some of the most common macOS Big Sur issues and fixes.

11 macOS Big Sur issues

In this blog post, we’re covering the issues that may occur during Big Sur installation and after you've upgraded your Mac. If you’re interested in resolving a particular issue, just go through this list and choose the one that relates to you:

1. macOS Big Sur won’t download

If you see a message while you’re downloading Big Sur that says, 'macOS Big Sur download has failed,' there could be a number of reasons. Here’s what to do when macOS Big Sur won’t download.

1. Check your Internet connection.
2. Check Apple’s system status page. It could be that the download server is down or is very busy, and that’s why your download failed.
3. Make sure you have enough free space. Go to the Apple menu and choose About this Mac. Click on the Storage tab. You should have at least 16GB available in order to install Big Sur. If not, you’ll need to delete files.

Have you got enough free space?

It can be difficult to decide what files to remove and what to keep. However, there are many files on your Mac that take up several gigabytes of space that you probably don’t even realize are there. These include temporary files, cache, language support files, and many others. CleanMyMac X can identify those files and allow you to remove them with a couple of clicks, potentially clawing back gigabytes of space.

CleanMyMac X has a free version you can try, and this app is notarized by Apple.

More ideas when macOS Big Sur won’t download

1. Try connecting to your router with an Ethernet cable instead of by wifi if you can.
2. Look for the unfinished download file. Check your Downloads folder and Applications folder. When you find it, drag it to the Trash, empty it, restart your Mac, and try again.

2. macOS Big Sur won’t install

If the download completes successfully, but macOS Big Sur won’t install, there are a few things you should try.

1. Reboot your Mac in Safe Mode by holding down Shift while it boots. Then try and install Big Sur again.
2. Reset NVRAM. Shut down your Mac. Boot it while holding Cmd + Option + P + R. Release the keys when you hear the startup chime or see the Apple logo on screen.

Also, double-check that your Mac is compatible. The list of Macs on which Big Sur is supported is below:

• Any Mac Pro or iMac Pro
• MacBook Pro and MacBook Air 2013 and later
• iMac and Mac mini 2014 and later
• MacBook 2015 and later

If you see the 'Installation failed: an error occurred while installing the selected updates' message, the first thing you should do is restart your Mac. If this doesn't help, the problem is probably on Apple's side. Wait for some time, and try installing the macOS Big Sur again.

3. macOS Big Sur freezing

Your Mac freezes after the upgrade? Your apps and programs can actually be the reason why macOS Big Sur is freezing.

To quit the unresponsive app, press Command-Option-Esc. This will initiate a Force Quit menu. Click the app that makes your macOS freeze (it will usually have not responding status) and press Force Quit.

If the problem persists, running CleanMyMac X can help fix performance issues, including freezing. Here’s how you can quickly get your Mac back to normal:

1. Download CleanMyMac X (a free trial is available).
2. Install and launch the app. Go to the Maintenance feature.
3. Check the boxes next to the processes you want to run (we recommend selecting the first four fixes and Repair Disk Permissions).
4. Press Run.

CleanMyMac X is not a magic pill for all Mac problems, but it does fix things sometimes. It’s especially useful when you have a lot of conflicting software and want to clear up things a bit.

4. macOS Big Sur setup fails

This error occurs after your Mac has updated to Big Sur, but during the setup process. Here’s what to do when macOS Big Sur setup fails:

1. Hold down the Power button to force your Mac to shut down.
2. Press the power button again to start it up. It should now boot into Big Sur.

5. macOS Big Sur won’t boot

If you’ve successfully installed macOS Big Sur, congratulations! You’ve cleared the biggest hurdle. However, you may still run into problems, one of which might be that Big Sur fails to boot. Here’s a checklist to follow if macOS Big Sur won’t boot.

• Check the power supply — this may sound ridiculously simple, but that’s why it’s at the top of the list. If you’re using a laptop, plug it into its charger. If it’s already plugged in, make sure the connection is secure at the wall and on your Mac. If you’re using a desktop Mac, make sure the power cable is secure.
• Check the display — has your Mac failed to start up, or has it started up, but you just can’t see anything on the screen? Modern Macs don’t chime when they start up, so it can be difficult to tell. If you’re using a Mac mini or a Mac Pro or have a laptop connected to an external display with its lid closed, make sure it's not the display that’s the problem. Check the connections. Try rebooting with the display switched off and turn it on during start-up.
• Try another user account — if the problem occurs after you type in your password to log in, try a different user account. If that works, the problem is likely to be login items or launch agents in your main user accounts.
• Boot in Safe mode — if nothing else works, try booting in Safe mode by holding down Shift while it boots. That will boot your Mac with the bare minimum it needs to run and won’t load login items and launch agents. If that works, you know the problem is in third-party software that loads at boot time.

6. macOS Big Sur is running slow

This is perhaps the most common problem you’re likely to run into with Big Sur. It’s logical to assume that a new version of macOS should run faster than previous versions. And in some cases, that’s true. For example, Safari tends to speed up with every release. But new versions of the OS also put more pressure on system resources.

So, if you have a Mac that’s a few years old, you are likely to encounter that the macOS Big Sur is running slow. There is plenty you can do to mitigate that, though.

Things that can slow down your Big Sur experience:

• Undetected apps running in the background (login items)
• Extensions
• Old apps

If you have a free minute to investigate, you can once again use CleanMyMac X to disable login items that can considerably slow down your Mac at start-up and while it's running.

Can't Install Macos Catalina

1. Download a free edition of CleanMyMac X.
2. Choose Optimization in the sidebar.
3. Select Login Items.
4. Check those you don't need opening the next time you log in.
5. Press Remove.

Now, all those apps won't be opening as you start up your Mac.

Check your Activity Monitor

Force Install Mac Os Catalina On 2012 Macbook Pro

Activity Monitor will tell you which processes are consuming more than their fair share of CPU cycles and RAM. Once you’ve identified those, you can decide if you really need those apps. If not, you can get rid of them, and that should speed up your Mac. Likewise, there may be login items you have long forgotten about that are running in the background, slowing down your Mac.

1. Go to Applications >Utilities and launch Activity Monitor.
2. Click at the top of the CPU column to order processes by the CPU cycles they are consuming. If there are any that are hogging the CPU and that you know you don’t need (only those that you recognize and understand what they do), select them, and press Quit Process.

If your Mac speeds up, you know it was that process that was causing the problem. If it’s associated with an app or login item, you can decide whether to uninstall it.

7. Apps are not launching on Big Sur

On the first day of the official Big Sur release, many users experienced problems with applications after they upgraded their Macs. Some reported apps not launching on Big Sur, while others complained about both programs and computers running slower than usual.
As it occurred, there was a problem with Apple's Online Certificate Status Protocol that failed to validate digital certificates for software on Macs. It disabled Apple's Gatekeeper, which in turn couldn't validate apps.
If you experience a similar problem again, first check whether everything's okay with the Apple Servers. Visit the official Apple Support system status page for the latest updates.

8. Bluetooth is not working on macOS Big Sur

Bluetooth is an essential feature on your Mac: it allows you to connect all your wireless devices and use your Mac more effectively. If you find out that Bluetooth is not working on your Mac after the upgrade to Big Sur, here’s a quick fix that could help:

1. Press Shift-Option and click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar.
2. Select Debug.
3. Click “Reset the Bluetooth module.”
4. Press Ok to continue.

After the process is finished, restart your Mac as usual. The issue should be gone.

9. Wi-Fi problems on macOS Big Sur

Some of the users complained that Wi-Fi stopped working on their Mac after the upgrade. Here’s what you can do to fix Wi-Fi connection problems in macOS Big Sur.

The first thing you should do is forget the network.

• Go to System Preferences > Network.
• Select Wi-Fi and click Advanced.
• Select the network you want to forget and press the “–” minus button.
• Press Remove to confirm.

Next, you’ll need to reset SMC. This often helps to solve bugs related to power, battery, fans, and other features.

To check whether your Mac has a T2 chip, go to the Apple menu > About This Mac. Click System Report and select Controller. If your Mac has the Apple T2 Security Chip, there will be an 'Apple T2 chip' on the right.

To reset SMC on Macs with the T2 chip

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press Control-Option-Shift and keep holding keys for 7 seconds. Your Mac may turn on.
3. Hold the keys and press and hold the power button.
4. Hold all those for another 7 seconds and then release.
5. Wait a few seconds and then turn on your Mac as usual.

To reset SMC on desktop computers with the T2 chip

1. Shut down your Mac and unplug the power cord.
2. Wait 15 seconds. Plug the power cord back in.
3. Wait 5 seconds and turn on your Mac as usual.

After you reset the SMC, reconnect to the Wi-Fi network. Things should be back to normal.

10. Battery drain on macOS Big Sur

Several users complained that their Macs were showing battery service required warning after installing macOS Big Sur. It can be frustrating, especially if your Mac is brand new and has only a few battery cycles. If you’ve noticed that macOS Big Sur causes battery drain, resetting PRAM may help.

PRAM (parameter random access memory) contains control settings and configuration of your Mac. Resetting PRAM can fix what’s wrong with desktop, keyboard, volume, or battery settings.

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press the power button and press and hold Command-Option-P-R keys immediately.
3. Hold the keys until you hear a startup sound or until the Apple logo appears and disappears for the second time.
4. Release the keys.

How To Force Install Catalina

After your Mac starts up, your settings should go back to default, and the battery issue should disappear. If this didn’t fix your battery issue, you might need to revert to Catalina.

Sometimes certain apps may eat too much of the CPU and battery resources. You can identify such programs by using the Activity Monitor. It's best to delete such applications and see if it resolves the battery issue. CleanMyMac X can help you with that — it deletes multiple apps and removes all traces of the application.

1. Download a free version of CleanMyMac X (if you don’t have it installed)
2. Choose the Uninstaller module from the sidebar.
3. Locate the app you want to uninstall.
4. Press Uninstall.

11. USB devices disconnecting randomly on Big Sur

This issue has been bothering 2020 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro users on macOS Catalina. The 10.15.6 update finally fixed the bug, but the macOS Big Sur seems to randomly disconnect USB connections too.

Disconnecting and reconnecting a USB hub may help. Some users resolved the issue by restarting their Macs. But this doesn’t fix the problem reliably. Hopefully, the developers will address this issue and present a solution with the next software update.

Why I Cannot Install Macos Catalina

There are many ways in which Big Sur can run into problems. Thankfully, there are also lots of solutions. If you work through them step by step, you should be able to fix the problem. And using automated fixers, like CleanMyMac X, can help make the whole process much quicker and funnier.

12. Grey screen with mouse pointer on Big Sur

This is a newly found installation issue that many Mac users report. Trying to run the Big Sur installer the screen goes grey displaying a movable mouse pointer. There’s no way to proceed next.
The possible solution involves resetting NVRAM.

• Turn off your MacBook completely.
• Turn it on again and hold down: Option + Command + P + R.
• Keep holding the keys for 20 seconds.
  

Note: If your Mac has a firmware password enabled, the above combination won’t make the reset and your Mac will likely boot to macOS Recovery. To reset NRAM in this case, you will have to disable firmware password first.

To disable firmware password, run macOS Recovery > Utilities > Startup Security Utility.