Revised macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 Update Properly Checks Free Available Space to Prevent Installation Errors

When upgrading to macOS Big Sur, there was an error that would cause issues if there wasn't enough storage space available. Unfortunately, the update was not checking if there was enough free space before the installation started, which could lead to data loss.

First Look Big Sur Feature2
The free space issue has been addressed in a revised macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 update that was released this morning. According to Mr. Macintosh, the new update checks to make sure there is enough available storage space before installation starts.


If you don't have enough free space, the installer will say "There is not enough free space on the selected volume to upgrade the OS," and it will let you know how much additional space is required.

The new update that was released today is available only if you had not previously installed macOS Big Sur 11.2.1.

Related Forum: macOS Big Sur

Top Rated Comments

HiRez Avatar
34 months ago
Wow, this is a pretty basic thing to miss, with potentially terrible consequences. I mean checking free space before you install, wouldn't that be on the standard checklist since forever?
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NewUsername Avatar
34 months ago
Especially given how many Mac users still have a 128GB SSD.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ouimetnick Avatar
34 months ago
Why does an OS take up 35GB of space? I remember back when Snow Leopard cam out Apple bragged that it took less space than it's predecessor. Try trimming some of the bloat out of the next macOS release.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
34 months ago
Apple SW QA still needs way more attention, way too many updates across ...
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Matthew.H Avatar
34 months ago

Choosing storage space during purchasing is the responsibility of the buyer, not the seller. When people cheap out on storage space they are entering at their own risk.
It doesn't help that Apple has frankly been stingy on storage for years. They've only just recently made 256GB the minimum when it should have been the standard base at least 5 years ago.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
34 months ago
Newbie mistake. What's going on over there?
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 for All iPhones and iPads

Tuesday September 26, 2023 12:47 pm PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates, with the software coming five days after the releases of iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1. Today's iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates arrive as build 21A351 and can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Note that iOS 17.0.2 was previously made available for iPhone...
iPhone 15 Pro Lineup Feature

Kuo: iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issues Likely Due to Thermal Compromises, Not 3nm Node

Tuesday September 26, 2023 9:12 am PDT by
Complaints about heat issues with the iPhone 15 Pro models are not related to TSMC's 3-nanometer node that was used for the A17 Pro chip, according to well-respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo says that overheating could be caused by "compromises made in the thermal system design" that allowed Apple to cut down on the weight of the iPhone 15 Pro models. Kuo says that the reduced heat...
iOS 17

Everything New in iOS 17.1 Beta 1

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:57 pm PDT by
Just a week after releasing iOS 17, Apple has seeded the first beta of iOS 17.1 to developers. iOS 17.1 adds some features that Apple promised were coming to iOS 17 in the future, plus it refines and improves some existing features. This guide covers everything new in the first iOS 17.1 beta. Apple Music Favorites You can favorite songs, albums, playlists, and artists in the iOS 17.1...
macos sonoma 4

Apple Releases macOS Sonoma With New Widget Features, Safari Updates, Screen Sharing Improvements and More

Tuesday September 26, 2023 10:01 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS 14 Sonoma, the newest version of the operating system that runs on the Mac. macOS Sonoma has been in beta testing for several months, and it is compatible with the 2019 and later iMac, the iMac Pro, the 2018 and later Mac mini, the 2018 and later MacBook Pro, the 2019 and later Mac Pro, and the Mac Studio. The ‌macOS Sonoma update can be downloaded for free on...