Wrong password trying to instal system update on a extrnal drive

I purchased a 2024 iMac two weeks ago. I have an external drive running 15.5. I can boot from the drive and login. However, when trying to install 15.6, I used the same the password I used to login with. but, the Installer keeps telling me the password wrong. I had a 2021 iMac that would occasionally do the same thing. The only way I got around it was to erase the external drive, use recovery to install the system and then do a migrate from the internal drive. Does anyone have an idea why this is occurring?

Posted on Aug 12, 2025 08:04 PM

Reply
1 reply

Aug 14, 2025 08:41 AM in response to 89Camaro

89Camaro wrote:

I purchased a 2024 iMac two weeks ago. I have an external drive running 15.5. I can boot from the drive and login. However, when trying to install 15.6,

I used the same the password I used to login with. but, the Installer keeps telling me the password wrong.



?


For your internal drive—


>System Settings>General>Software Update...


if you have an issue updating to 15.6

Try the install from a SafeBoot Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Supportand compare your results...

Login and try again your update .



For external drive—

Is it a matter of making changes to Privacy & Security(?)




Wrong password trying to instal system update on a extrnal drive

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.