How to fix macOS Monterey not enough free space to install
Are you trying to update to macOS 12 but having an issue with macOS Monterey not having enough free space to install? This is a common problem faced by MacBook owners with a low amount of storage space. macOS 12.0.1 almost requires 40 GB free space to deploy and install on a Mac!
macOS Monterey does not install
You downloaded macOS 12.0.1 in System Preferences -> Software Update and are now trying to update.
However, you get the error saying “The target volume does not have enough free space for the installation”. macOS also informs about the additional free space required to install the update, on the selected disk.
This happens after clicking the ‘install macOS Monterey’ to file. you click To continue and are asked to select the drive on which you want to install macOS 12.
However, after selecting Macintosh HD the above informational message is displayed, hovering over the disc thumbnail and the ‘To continue’ the button is grayed out!
How To Fix macOS Monterey Insufficient Free Space Error
There are two ways to create additional space for macOS 12 Update:
1. Delete large files
- Click on the apple logo available in the upper left corner of the menu bar.
- Go for About this Mac.
- Click on Storage room, in the horizontal header.
- Then go for Manage and use the available options to get additional storage space: Store in iCloud, optimize storage, empty trash and Reduce clutter.
2. Install macOS Monterey from an external drive
If you have applied all the steps described above and there is still not enough storage available on Mac, you can free up a 12.17 GB, using an external drive for the installation process.
If you have a large enough external drive, you can copy the macOS Monterey installer file to the external drive and delete it from your MacBook. This will free up over 12 GB on your computer as you can create an alias and run the installation from the external drive.
How to install macOS Monterey from an SSD
- Exit the macOS Monterey installer of the quay.
- Connect an external SSD on your Mac and open Searcher.
- Copy and paste the macOS Monterey installer file on the external drive.
- Right click on install macOS Monterey and go to Create an alias
- Copy and paste the alias on your desktop.
- Remove the macOS Monterey installer file from your Mac.
- Double click on the install macOS Monterey alias, available on your desktop. The installer will start from your external drive.
- Click on To continue and select the Macintosh HD internal reader
- Continue should be responsive now, click on it and the installation of macOS Monterey will begin.
Made: At this point, check your MacBook storage again. Do you have the extra 12 GB. If they don’t show up, you must restart Mac.
Made: The process takes up to 1 hour and your MacBook will restart automatically before it is finished.
Did you manage to free up space and install macOS Monterey? Do you have questions or do you need further advice? Use the comments section and share your comments.
Related: If you rely heavily on USB hubs to use your MacBook do not upgrade to macOS 12.0.1! The initial version of macOS Monterey comes with a nasty USB hub bug, which will make your USB ports unusable!