XofOldApple Author

Level 1

6 points

Sonoma Installer hangs on "Validating packages"

For some time now, every run of the installer, regardless of what package is being installed and from whatever source, hangs at the "Validating packages" step. It says "Install time remaining: less than a minute," but it can take up to an hour to continue.

During this time, installd is burning up a lot of CPU, doing something (per Activity Monitor).

Eventually, it completes and everything seems fine, but this isn't not exactly idea.

Again, it's *every* installer, not just a particular one, every time.

Has anyone experienced this before?

iMac 27″

Posted on Jan 7, 2025 03:13 PM

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5 replies

Level 9

66,806 points

Jan 8, 2025 06:20 PM in response to XofOldApple

Try rebooting the computer.

If you are running any anti-virus apps, cleaning/optimizer apps, or third party security software, then uninstall them by following the developers' instructions since these types of apps are not needed and usually cause more problems than they solve because they interfere with the normal operation of macOS.

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Level 10

100,315 points

Feb 19, 2025 01:47 AM in response to XofOldApple

Running behind a VPN which may increase Packet losses or corruption of the download

Turn off any Third Party Two Way Firewall and try again

In a Last Resort to offer help

Download the Application Etrecheck ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.

This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.

It makes a coherent and readable inventory of both the Hardware and Software used on the computer

The application is free or paid for added features.

The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information.

Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon <<<<

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XofOldApple Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 19, 2025 06:09 PM in response to XofOldApple

With the assistance of the developer of EtreCheck, we found the problem:

/Library/Receipts/InstallHistory.plist

was enormous: 75GB! Moving it aside solved the issue.

Note: I am not advising manipulating system files directly; just providing a note on what worked on my system.

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XofOldApple Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 18, 2025 04:45 PM in response to HWTech

Thanks, but this is a very clean system: Nothing like that is installed.

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Level 9

66,806 points

Feb 21, 2025 08:07 PM in response to XofOldApple

Thanks for the update. @etresoft is very knowledgeable. I'm glad he was able to assist you with locating the problem.

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Sonoma Installer hangs on "Validating packages"

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