MacOS – “Installation requires downloading important content…” error message preventing me installing macOS Big Sur

big surerrorinstallmacososx-server

My device is a late 2013 Macbook Pro and just a week ago I had been running macOS Big Sur.

I wanted to pass on my device to someone else so I followed the steps in the below links to make sure all of my data was erased and the device is set back to factory settings:

The device is now running OS X 10.9.5 as expected. However, when I download macOS Big Sur from the App Store and try to install it, a message appears saying I cannot continue (see below image). The message says:

Installation of macOS could not continue

Installation requires downloading important content.
The content can't be downloaded at this time.
Try again later.

I have tried and checked the following:

  • Checked Apple System Status and everything is fine.
  • Restarted the device via Safe Mode and issue still presents itself.
  • Restarted the device and used both CMD+R and CMD+ALT+R modes to install but same issue returns.
  • Erased and formatted the HD to AFPS, reinstalled OS X, same issue. Since then, I've reformatted via the recommended option (Mac OS Extended (Journaled)).
  • I have a good strong connection via Wi-Fi.

Though some of the above may work for others, it hasn't worked for me. I've probably tried erasing my HD and reinstalling OS X about 6 times now.

I don't know where I may have gone wrong, I made sure I followed each step specifically and carefully. I've been able to install macOS Big Sur just a week ago, and now, after following Apple's official guide to essentially 'factory reset' my device, it is not installing.

error message

…

Update

  • As suggested in comments and responses, I upgraded from Mavericks to Catalina (through El Capitan then High Sierra then Mojave).
  • Now in Catalina, it gives a new error message of "Update not found" when trying to update to macOS Big Sur, and shows that it is currently running the latest macOS (see below screenshots).
  • I have tried to update via Internet Recovery mode, but that returns the original error message of "Installation of macOS could not continue".

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Best Answer

The short answer, is do not install Big Sur on 2013 / 2014 MacBook Pro if you can wait. Stick with Catalina if you can and need it to be stable and supported.

Thank you for this post - I found myself in this exact situation, following the same "Apple recommended" procedure to perform a factory reset after already updating to Big Sur. I was left with a useless (likely needing repair) machine until I found this post and followed the steps to reinstall OSX and then upgrade to Catalina.

Second, I found this post here: https://mrmacintosh.com/big-sur-11-0-1-20b50-released-to-block-install-for-2013-14-13-mbpros/

I believe that we had previously upgraded to Big Sur 11.0.1 20b29, released November 12th. However, Apple released an "updated" version, 20b50, on November 19th that removed the late 2013 and mid 2014 Macbook Pros from the compatible list, due to issues that left some users with blank screens.

I imagine that once Apple fixes these blank screen issues, we'll be able to upgrade again.

Also see, "Release History" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacOS_Big_Sur

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