"Failed to prepare the software update" during upgrade attempt

[steveharman]

This is a first for me, I've had my system running fine for several years and always gone through minor & major updates without an issue. Until today.

After ensuring my OpenCore was current (0.8.5) along with kexts, I backed up my machine to Time Machine and attempted to upgrade from Monterey > Ventura via Software Update. After spending some time downloading the installer I always get "Failed to prepare the software update. Please try again". Trying again doesn't help.

I wondered if it was a space issue but my local SSD has 200+GB free. Does anyone have any suggestions, please? I wondered if there was a direct download link I could fetch the Ventura .pkg / .dmg and try that perhaps?

Thanks

 

[NZRichard]

I always get "Failed to prepare the software update. Please try again"

This seems to be a random error when updating Ventura. It happened to me today with the macOS 13.6.1 update.

As suggested by someone on discussions.apple.com: log into iCloud with your AppleID and repeat the download.

This worked for me and apparently others. Anyone know how this issue is connected to being logged into iCloud?