A paused macOS update download usually resumes automatically when your Mac reconnects to the internet and has enough available storage. Open System Settings > General > Software Update, then select Resume, Download, or Update Now if that button appears.
If no resume button is available, keep the Mac connected to power, use a stable internet connection, restart the Mac, and check Software Update again. These steps normally restart the download without removing your personal files.
Quick Answer
To resume a paused macOS update download:
- Connect your Mac to power.
- Connect to a reliable Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.
- Open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Select Resume, Download, or Update Now.
- Leave the Mac awake until the download finishes.
On older macOS versions, open Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update instead.
If the download remains paused, restart the Mac and try again. Do not delete update files or run Terminal commands unless the normal steps fail.
Why a macOS Update Download Pauses
macOS may pause an update download for several ordinary reasons:
- The Mac is not connected to power.
- The internet connection was interrupted.
- Wi-Fi is weak, congested, or blocked by a network.
- The Mac does not have enough free storage.
- The computer went to sleep.
- Apple’s update servers are temporarily busy or unavailable.
- A VPN, firewall, or security tool is interfering with the connection.
- The update process encountered a temporary software error.
A paused download is not necessarily damaged. In many cases, macOS saves the downloaded portion and continues from where it stopped. The displayed progress may also appear unchanged for a while while macOS verifies or prepares the files.
Resume the Download in Software Update
This is the safest and simplest method for most Mac users.
1. Connect your Mac to power
If you are using a MacBook, plug it into its charger. macOS may pause a large system download when battery power is low or when power-saving conditions prevent the update from continuing.
Keep the charger connected during the download and installation.
2. Check your internet connection
Make sure your Mac is connected to a reliable network:
- Select the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar.
- Confirm that your expected network is selected.
- If possible, move closer to the router or connect through Ethernet.
- Avoid switching between networks while the update is downloading.
If other devices are also having connection problems, restart the router before trying the update again. If you are using hotel, school, business, or public Wi-Fi, open a web browser and complete any sign-in page that appears.
3. Open Software Update
On newer versions of macOS:
- Select the Apple menu in the upper-left corner.
- Choose System Settings.
- Select General in the sidebar.
- Select Software Update.
Look for a button labeled Resume, Download, Update Now, or a similar option. Select it and allow macOS to continue.
On older versions of macOS, choose Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update.
The exact button name can vary depending on whether macOS has already downloaded part of the update and whether the update is ready to install.
4. Keep the Mac awake
Leave the Mac connected to power and avoid closing a MacBook’s lid while the download is in progress. You can continue using the Mac, but demanding tasks may slow the download.
If you want to leave the Mac unattended, adjust its settings temporarily so it does not sleep too quickly:
- Open System Settings.
- Select Lock Screen.
- Review the options for turning the display off and preventing automatic sleep when connected to power.
The available settings differ by macOS version and Mac model. You do not need to disable every sleep setting permanently. Restore your preferred settings after the update finishes.
Restart the Mac and Check Again
If Software Update does not show a resume button or appears frozen, restart the Mac. A restart can clear a temporary Software Update process without deleting your personal files.
Before restarting, save your work and close open apps. A restart can close applications and may cause unsaved changes to be lost.
- Save documents and close any apps you are using.
- Select Apple menu > Restart.
- Wait for the Mac to start normally.
- Connect to power and your usual network.
- Open System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Select Resume, Download, or Update Now if available.
If the Mac is completely unresponsive, press and hold its power button until it turns off, then wait a few seconds and turn it on again. Use this forced shutdown only when a normal restart is not possible because unsaved work may be lost.
Check Available Storage
A macOS update needs free space for the download, temporary files, verification, and installation. The amount required varies by update and Mac, so Software Update may pause or fail if storage is nearly full.
To check storage:
- Open the Apple menu.
- Select System Settings.
- Choose General.
- Select Storage.
On older macOS versions, select Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage.
If available space is low, remove files you no longer need. Review large downloads, old installers, unused applications, and media files. Empty the Trash only after confirming that it does not contain anything you want to keep.
Do not manually delete unfamiliar folders from the system or Library directories. Removing the wrong files can cause other apps or macOS services to malfunction.
After making space, restart the Mac and check Software Update again.
Temporarily Check VPNs and Security Software
A VPN, third-party firewall, content filter, or security application can sometimes interfere with update servers. If the download pauses repeatedly, temporarily disconnect from a VPN and try again.
Only change security settings if you understand the effect and can restore them afterward. If your Mac is managed by an employer or school, do not bypass its security controls. Contact the administrator instead.
After testing:
- Reconnect the VPN if you need it.
- Re-enable any security feature you temporarily disabled.
- Check whether the update can resume on your normal network.
You can also try a different trusted network, such as a personal hotspot, if your regular network may be blocking the download. Be aware that a macOS update can use several gigabytes of data, so check your cellular plan first.
Try Safe Mode if the Download Still Will Not Resume
Safe Mode starts macOS with only essential components and performs certain checks. It can help identify whether third-party software is interfering with Software Update.
The steps depend on whether your Mac has Apple silicon or an Intel processor.
Apple silicon Mac
- Shut down the Mac through Apple menu > Shut Down.
- Press and hold the power button until Loading startup options appears.
- Select a startup volume.
- Press and hold the Shift key.
- Select Continue in Safe Mode.
Intel-based Mac
- Shut down the Mac.
- Turn it on and immediately press and hold the Shift key.
- Release the key when the login window appears.
- Sign in if requested.
You may see Safe Boot in the login window or menu bar. Once in Safe Mode, open Software Update and try again.
When finished testing, restart the Mac normally. If the update works only in Safe Mode, a login item, system extension, VPN, antivirus tool, or other third-party software may be interfering. Review recently installed software or contact its developer for help.
Use Terminal to Download a Full Installer
Terminal is useful when Software Update repeatedly pauses or cannot complete a partial download. The softwareupdate command can list and download available macOS installers.
This method downloads a full installer into the Applications folder rather than simply resuming the existing partial download. It may require additional storage and can take longer. Do not run these commands while another macOS update is installing.
- Open Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
- List available full installers:
softwareupdate --list-full-installers
- Download a specific installer version shown in the results:
softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version X.Y.Z
Replace X.Y.Z with a version listed by the first command. For example, do not enter a version that your Mac does not report as available.
The command downloads the installer to /Applications. It does not install macOS automatically. When the download finishes, you can open the installer from the Applications folder.
If the command reports that the requested version is unavailable, choose a version listed by --list-full-installers. If it reports insufficient storage, free additional space and try again.
To stop a download that is currently running, return to Terminal and press Control-Command-Z. If the installer has already been downloaded, you can move it to the Trash from the Applications folder. Empty the Trash only after confirming that you no longer need the installer.
For more details about this approach, see How to Download the Full macOS Installer from Terminal.
Remove a Damaged or Failed Download
If the update repeatedly pauses at the same point, displays an error, or returns to the beginning after every restart, the partial download may be incomplete or damaged. In that situation, removing the failed download and starting again can help.
This process can delete downloaded update files and force macOS to download them again. It should not remove your personal documents, photos, or applications, but you may lose the progress already downloaded.
Before removing anything, save your work and confirm that you have enough storage and time to download the update again. Follow a method designed specifically for identifying and removing failed update files rather than deleting random system folders.
See How to Remove a Failed macOS Update Download for the cleanup steps.
Troubleshooting a macOS Update That Remains Paused
Software Update shows no update
Select Software Update again after restarting. If the update is no longer listed, macOS may have completed the download or determined that the update is not currently available. Check System Settings > General > Software Update later while connected to power and the internet.
The progress bar has not moved
Progress may not change while macOS verifies downloaded files. Wait before interrupting the process, especially if the Mac is showing disk activity or the network is active.
If there is no visible activity for an extended period and other Software Update controls do not respond, save your work and restart the Mac. Then check the update again.
The download repeatedly fails
Check these items:
- Confirm that the date and time are set automatically in System Settings > General > Date & Time.
- Make sure adequate storage is available.
- Disconnect from a VPN temporarily.
- Try another trusted network.
- Install pending updates for third-party security or network software.
- Restart the Mac and router.
If the same error continues, the problem may be related to the update itself, the network, or a managed Mac configuration.
The Mac says it is preparing the update
“Preparing” is a separate stage from downloading. macOS may be checking the package, verifying available space, or preparing the installation. If this stage remains unchanged, use the troubleshooting steps in How to Fix macOS Update Stuck on Preparing.
The Mac cannot install the update after downloading
A completed download does not guarantee that the Mac can install the update. The Mac may not meet the update’s compatibility requirements, or storage may still be insufficient for installation. Before trying again, check Mac compatibility before installing a macOS update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will resuming a macOS update delete my files?
Normally, no. Resuming the download continues the update process and does not remove personal files. Always keep a current backup before installing a major system update.
Can I close my MacBook while the update is downloading?
Closing the lid may put the MacBook to sleep and pause the download. Keep it open and connected to power until the download finishes.
Can I use my Mac while the update downloads?
Yes, but heavy downloads, video calls, games, and other network-intensive tasks can slow the process. Avoid restarting or shutting down the Mac while Software Update is actively working.
Why did the download start over?
The partial download may have failed verification, been removed during cleanup, or become unusable after an interruption. macOS may need to download the update again.
Should I pause the download manually?
macOS does not always provide a separate pause control. The safest approach is to let the Mac manage the process. If you must stop it, save your work and restart only after Software Update is no longer active.
Can I resume the download without Wi-Fi?
Yes. You can use Ethernet or, if appropriate, a personal hotspot. Large updates may use substantial data, so check the connection’s limits before starting.
Final Thoughts
Start with Software Update, a power connection, and a stable network. If the download remains paused, restart the Mac, check storage, and test without a VPN or other network filter. Only after those steps fail should you remove a damaged partial download or use Terminal to obtain a full installer.