Categories: MacNews

Updating macOS Big Sur with a lack of disk space may cause a major problem

According to a report at Mr. Macintosh, the 11.2 update of macOS Big Sur doesn’t check to make sure enough free disk space is available. The upgrade will start, then run out of space and fail. 

Mr. Macintosh says that, if FV2 encryption is enabled, you’ll be locked out of your data. Per Apple’s notes, upgrading to macOS Big Sur for the first time requires at least 35.5 GB of available storage. However even if your Mac does not have 35.5 GB of storage available, macOS will try to install the Big Sur update, and that’s when the issue arises.

9to5Mac notes that if you have a backup of your data, you can simply erase the entire disk and reinstall macOS. However, recovering data without a backup can be very difficult. 

9to5Mac also points out that with FileVault enabled, you have to connect your Mac to another Mac via Target Disk Mode in order to recover your files. If FileVault wasn’t enabled on your Mac, you can try to delete some files using the Terminal app in macOS Recovery, which will allow macOS to complete the update process successfully.

Dennis Sellers

Dennis Sellers is the editor/publisher of Apple World Today. He’s been an “Apple journalist” since 1995 (starting with the first big Apple news site, MacCentral). He loves to read, run, play sports, and watch movies.

Recent Posts

Growth in Mac sales driven by strength of the new MacBook Air with M3 processor

During a call with analysts regarding Apple’s latest finances, Apple Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri…

11 hours ago

Apple CEO, CFO praise the Vision Pro’s reception in the enterprise market (but don’t mention sales figures)

Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri praise the Vision Pro’s reception in the…

12 hours ago

Apple quarterly revenue down 4% year-over-year, but Services and Mac revenues are up

Apple quarterly revenue is down 4% year-over-year, but Services and Mac revenues are up.

12 hours ago

Apple continues to look into ways to make the Vision Pro more comfortable

Apple continues to look into ways to make the Vision Pro more comfortable.

14 hours ago

Apple patent filing for ‘hinges for folding devices’ hints at an ‘iPhone Fold’

Apple has filed for another patent that hints at a foldable iPhone (of which I’m…

15 hours ago

Apple looks into an ‘Underwater User Interface’ for the iPhone

Apple has been granted a patent (number US 11875021 B2) for an “Underwater User Interface”…

15 hours ago