Cannot update to new MacOS, cannot boot into safe mode or recovery

Question

Cannot update to new MacOS, cannot boot into safe mode or recovery

Hello,

My system

2018 Intel Mac Mini 6 core i7.
Running final Catalina release, 10.15.7.
Was using wireless devices, non-apple, but currently on wired keyboard and mouse.

Tried upgrading to Sequoia and received "An error occurred loading the update" pop up."
Tried some earlier versions of Mac OS as well. Same result.
Tried booting into safe mode. Failed and booted into normal.
Cleared nvram with nvram -c. Still fails. Using wired keyboard and wired mouse at this point, but still fails.
When trying safe and recovery I have tried Command shift (safe), command R (recovery) and and command opt (alt) R. I have also tried switching USB ports of keyboard and mouse. Always booting into normal.
I have removed steam as a precaution. There was also some old western digital discovery sw for an old external drive, also removed.
I should add I was upgrading b/c I started receiving crashes in routined frequently.

Any help would be appreciated. First time in 15 years since going to OS X I have not been able resolve and/or reinstall. Would try and boot device but do not think I can select a installation image until I get not recovery mode.

Mac mini, macOS 10.15

Posted on May 17, 2025 02:08 PM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

121,250 points

May 17, 2025 04:04 PM in response to georgehughes40

Can you explain what you see when you attempt to boot into Safe Mode, Recovery, or Internet Recovery?

If it is as you describe that nothing happens except a normal startup, you may need to create a bootable USB installer and try starting up from that.

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

Make sure you enable external boot with the Startup Security Utility linked in the article.

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

66,758 points

May 17, 2025 06:11 PM in response to georgehughes40

georgehughes40 wrote:

5. When trying safe and recovery I have tried Command shift (safe), command R (recovery) and and command opt (alt) R. I have also tried switching USB ports of keyboard and mouse. Always booting into normal.

FYI, Safe Mode is when you hold only the Shift key.

7. I should add I was upgrading b/c I started receiving crashes in routined frequently.

Run the third party app EtreCheck and post the complete report here so we can examine it for possible clues.

How to use the Add Text Feature When Posting an EtreCheck Report - Apple Community

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Answer 3

May 18, 2025 03:01 PM in response to georgehughes40

❝ 2. Press and release the power button to turn on your Mac, then immediately press and hold these two keys on your keyboard: Command (⌘) and R. Keep holding them until you see an Apple logo or spinning globe. ❞

Timing is everything.

I find it best to press Command-R (⌘R) as soon as I hear the startup chime. This works for me every time. Use a USB keyboard.

How to start up from macOS Recovery - Apple Support

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Answer 4

May 17, 2025 02:58 PM in response to georgehughes40

Check your secure boot settings.

That Mac mini 2018 has a T2 security chip.

About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip - Apple Support

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Answer 5

May 18, 2025 01:14 PM in response to BDAqua

BDAqua, when using wired keyboard I am unable to boot into recovery mode. It boots into normal mode. I also cannot boot into safe mode. I am investigating Etrecheck but have not committed to running it yet.

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Answer 6

May 18, 2025 01:20 PM in response to Barney-15E

I see a normal (I assume) boot sequence and then uses to select to login into the os. After logging in I will check to see if I am running in safe mode and it always says normal.

Working on the installer. Seemed easier to just 'download' and use the CLI a while back but will keep trying.

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Answer 7

Barney-15E

Level 10

121,250 points

May 18, 2025 03:03 PM in response to georgehughes40

Working on the installer. Seemed easier to just 'download' and use the CLI a while back but will keep trying.

If you mean the normal update method everyone else uses, yes, that is easier. But, your installation appears to be broken, so doing it the hard way may be all you can do.

It may just be your keyboard preventing you from entering the special startup modes. Follow HWTech's advice and maybe we'll see something in the report that hints at why yours is broken.

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Answer 8

May 18, 2025 03:43 PM in response to Barney-15E

Barney-15E, I don't mean using software updates or the app store. I mean downloading the OS image and not installing, then running commands to write it to a USB drive to install at boot used to be easier. I am talking at least 10 years ago though, and maybe my memory is mistaken and it was just as difficult to create a bootable installer, but then I could always boot into recovery no problem. I will keep plugging away. Thanks.

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Answer 9

Barney-15E

Level 10

121,250 points

May 18, 2025 04:38 PM in response to georgehughes40

georgehughes40 wrote:

Barney-15E, I don't mean using software updates or the app store. I mean downloading the OS image and not installing, then running commands to write it to a USB drive to install at boot used to be easier. I am talking at least 10 years ago though, and maybe my memory is mistaken and it was just as difficult to create a bootable installer, but then I could always boot into recovery no problem. I will keep plugging away. Thanks.

Making a bootable USB Installer came with El Capitan. There was never any other commands to create anything like a bootable installer.

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Answer 10

HWTech

Level 9

66,758 points

May 18, 2025 05:03 PM in response to georgehughes40

georgehughes40 wrote:

I have done this many times with a wired keyboard, and will try again.

It is best to immediately press & hold the keys immediately after hearing the startup chime. Pressing the keys before or even more than a second after hearing the startup chime on these USB-C Macs will likely prevent the startup keys from being recognized.

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