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Big sur

I cannot boot up my MacBook Air after Big Sur update. I caan log in, but get to a black screen with the apple icon, and a progress bar that has been stalled for days. I have reset the DVRAM, can boot up in SAFE mode, where I downloaded the Big Sur update again, but this time from the App store. But I cannot install it because more room is needed. However, I cannot get to data files to delete or shift onto an external hard drive since the computer is in safe mode. Advice or suggestions?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Sep 12, 2021 3:46 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 12, 2021 4:50 AM

Boot in Safe Mode again and go to applications folder and see if there is a " Install Big Sur " application. If Yes, Drag and Drop to Trash and empty Trash.


Still in Sade Mode - See used and available storage space on your Mac and what does it report as Empty Space


Realize this


  • Other: Contains files that don’t fall into the categories listed here. This category primarily includes files and data used by the system, such as log files, caches, VM files, and other runtime system resources. Also included are temporary files, fonts, app support files, and plug-ins. You can't manage the contents of this category. The contents are managed by macOS, and the category varies in size depending on the current state of your Mac.




2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 12, 2021 4:50 AM in response to Jmbberlin

Boot in Safe Mode again and go to applications folder and see if there is a " Install Big Sur " application. If Yes, Drag and Drop to Trash and empty Trash.


Still in Sade Mode - See used and available storage space on your Mac and what does it report as Empty Space


Realize this


  • Other: Contains files that don’t fall into the categories listed here. This category primarily includes files and data used by the system, such as log files, caches, VM files, and other runtime system resources. Also included are temporary files, fonts, app support files, and plug-ins. You can't manage the contents of this category. The contents are managed by macOS, and the category varies in size depending on the current state of your Mac.




Sep 12, 2021 4:11 AM in response to Jmbberlin

> I cannot get to data files to delete or shift onto an external hard drive since the computer is in safe mode


At least in my 11.5.2 setup I can boot into safe mode and copy files to an USB flash drive. So you should be able to move large files to external drives (backup at least those files on two separate disks -- a complete backup is highly recommended) and then delete them from the internal disk. You need about 40-60 GB free space for the full Big Sur install.

Big sur

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