Preparing macOS Tahoe Stuck at 30 Mintues? 7 Fixes

It’s common to encounter update issues when upgrading to macOS Tahoe. Recently, some users reported getting stuck at the same point, facing an alert that says "Preparing updates" with about 30 minutes remaining. Generally, the download itself only takes around 20 minutes, so this doesn’t make much sense.

In this article, we’ll explain the reasons behind this update issue and provide quick fixes.

Why Is My Mac Stuck at “Preparing macOS Tahoe, About 30 Minutes Remaining”?

Before learning how to recover from the failed installation, let’s take a look at the possible causes:

• The update files might be corrupted.
• Other applications may interfere with the preparation process.
• You might be experiencing network issues.
• There may be problems with your hard drive or RAM.
• Your Mac could be overheating.
• There could be a power supply issue.

7 Fixes for the "Preparing macOS Tahoe, About 30 Minutes Remaining" Issue

If the update isn’t progressing after a significant amount of time, try the following solutions to update your Mac.

1. Restart Your Mac

Often, a simple restart can resolve many system issues, such as upgrade problems, software glitches, unresponsive apps, and other minor bugs. Restarting refreshes your Mac’s memory, closes background processes, and reloads essential system files—without causing any data loss.

To restart your Mac:

1. Click the Apple menu and select “Restart.”
2. Allow it to shut down and start again.

If you fail to normally restart your device, force restart it:

1. Press and hold the “Power” button until your Mac shuts down.
2. Wait a few seconds to restart.

2. Check Your Internet Connection

A stable internet connection is crucial because the macOS Tahoe update involves downloading a large amount of data. A reliable connection ensures the update files are downloaded fully and successfully. An unstable network may result in partial downloads, causing the update to fail or freeze. It can also slow down the process significantly.

Tips for ensuring a stable network connection:

• Make sure your Wi-Fi is strong. If it’s weak, move closer to the router or switch to another network.
• Disable VPNs or third-party firewalls that might interfere with the update.
• Turn off your router, wait for 30 seconds, and then turn it back on to refresh the connection.

3. Free Up Disk Space

Even with a stable network, your Mac still needs sufficient free storage. The installation process requires ample space to download and install the new operating system. If storage is too low, the update can fail, freeze, or destabilize your system.

macOS Tahoe, like any major update, consists of large files and system components. If you don’t have enough internal space, use BuhoCleaner to free some up. This professional Mac cleaning tool helps remove unnecessary files, such as caches, temporary files, and large unused files. It can also identify and delete duplicates, which often consume valuable space. Before upgrading, make sure you have at least 20 GB of available internal storage.

Here's how to clear space for macOS Tahoe using BuhoCleaner:

Step 1. Download and install BuhoCleaner on your Mac.

Step 2. Launch BuhoCleaner, grant the necessary permissions, and click the "Scan" button.

Step 3. Preview and select the files and folders you want to delete, then click the "Remove" button.

4. Check Apple's Servers

Visit Apple’s System Status page to confirm whether the macOS Software Update service is functioning. This page provides real-time updates on Apple’s services. If there’s an issue or scheduled maintenance, you may not be able to complete the update.

If the Software Update service is down, your update may get stuck. Instead of trying more fixes on your end, wait for Apple to resolve the issue.

5. Enter Safe Mode

Safe Mode allows you to start your Mac with only essential drivers and system components. It can help isolate conflicts that might prevent the installation from completing. Once you've finished installing macOS in Safe Mode, you can restart your Mac to return to normal operation.

Here's how:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press the power button to turn it on. As soon as you hear the startup chime or see the Apple logo, hold the Shift key.
3. Release the Shift key when the login window appears.
4. Log in to your user account and proceed with the installation.
5. To exit Safe Mode, simply restart your Mac.

6. Download macOS Tahoe via Terminal

You can also download macOS Tahoe using Terminal.

1. Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities).
2. Run the following command:

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 26.0

If this method doesn’t work either, try downloading a macOS Tahoe InstallAssistant.pkg file from a reliable source instead.

7. Reset NVRAM/PRAM

NVRAM stores key settings like boot configuration and display preferences. PRAM stores similar data. If these become corrupted, they can interfere with system processes like installations. Resetting them may allow your Mac to complete the update.

To reset NVRAM/PRAM:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Turn it on, then immediately press and hold Command + Option + R for about 20 seconds.
3. Release the keys after your Mac restarts (usually twice) and you see the Apple logo.

Conclusion

In conclusion, be patient when downloading macOS Tahoe—it’s a major system update and may take longer than usual. You can let your Mac update overnight, but if it’s still stuck at “Preparing macOS Tahoe, About 30 Minutes Remaining,” use the solutions provided above to fix the issue.