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.
...
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".