macOS Tahoe 26.1 not installing on my MacBook Air

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macOS Tahoe 26.1 not installing on my MacBook Air

Is anyone else having issues with Tahoe 26.1? I've tried downloading and installing it probably 21 times since it was released, and it goes through the process, does the handful of restarts, counts down the minutes when it's "installing," but then I keep having the message in my Settings menu that Tahoe 26.1 is ready to download/install. I thought it might be a glitch, but restarting my computer hasn't cleared it up. I'm on a MacBook Air M4. Any updates/tips/tricks/advice/magic summon spells appreciated... 🙏🏾

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Why is macOS Tahoe 26.1 not installing on my MacBook Air M4?

MacBook Air 15″, macOS 26.0

Posted on Nov 20, 2025 8:31 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 20, 2025 9:02 AM in response to IamDrewSmith

IamDrewSmith wrote:

Is anyone else having issues with Tahoe 26.1? I've tried downloading and installing it probably 21 times since it was released, and it goes through the process, does the handful of restarts, counts down the minutes when it's "installing," but then I keep having the message in my Settings menu that Tahoe 26.1 is ready to download/install. I thought it might be a glitch, but restarting my computer hasn't cleared it up. I'm on a MacBook Air M4. Any updates/tips/tricks/advice/magic summon spells appreciated... 🙏🏾

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Tahoe 26.1 Not Downloading/Installing

I can only assume you have adequate available/free storage space...

Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/VPN/Anti-Virus

all known to cause issues on the macOS

turn off the user Firewall if you turned in on...

unplug all non-essential peripherals

Then from a Safeboot login Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support and from there try again your update

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