Can I delete “Install macOS Big Sur.app”?

[tobindia]

In attempting to install the Big Sur OS on my MBA, I got an error saying that it required 13GB of storage more than I already have (18GB)! I’m not inclined to free up 13GB now, and probably never, so can I safely delete the “Install macOS Big Sur.app” from the Applications folder? Will that also stop the installation alert that I continue to get, and will it get rid of the annoying red dot on the System Preferences icon in the dock?

 

[Raz0rEdge]

You can delete the application which means you don't have the installer anymore. If you wish to upgrade later on, you'll have to re-download it.

Until you upgrade, the red dot will stay indicating that there is an upgrade available.

I sure hope you don't have just 18GB of free space on your MBA. You might want to utilize an external drive to keep the bulk of your data and use the internal drive just for applications.

 

[chscag]

You can delete the Big Sur installation app but it's not going to remove the upgrade notifications that you receive thru System Preferences. Nor will it remove the small number from the System Preference icon in the dock.

What I suggest is either increase the size of your drive or use an external hard drive to store data or possibly to even boot from.

 

[tobindia]

I sure hope you don't have just 18GB of free space on your MBA. You might want to utilize an external drive to keep the bulk of your data and use the internal drive just for applications.

Understood, but I'm content with 18GB of free space. Thanks for letting me know about deleting the installation app.

 

[MacInWin]

Understood, but I'm content with 18GB of free space.

You may be, but the system certainly is not. Sooner or later you are going to have some serious problems with that little space left. System slowdowns, crashes, apps refusing to open, applications crashing, etc.

 

[Rod]

No less than 10% free storage and preferably more. I have 500GB storage and 146GB free, I never let it get below 20% free. At 10% you will start to see more frequent "spinning beach balls" and moving your data to an external HD will be more difficult.
I suggest you do this before it becomes harder to do.

 

[cdeachaval]

Facing the same problem. I have 24GB (19%) of free space, 10GB (8%) on iCloud stored pictures, 3.5GB (3%) on iCloud stored Documents, 1.5GB (1%) on mail, 15GB (12%) on Apps, and 71GB (57%) on 'Other' out of a 125GB 2015 Mac Book Pro.

Been pushing the OS update due to space constrains, and now things look ugly. Wondering if I can move the Big Sur installer to a harddrive, which hopefully my iPhone 11 Pro can support with its 180GB of free space out of 256GB.

QQ: 1) What would be the best way to boot the Big Sur iOS without using the local hard drive?
2) Can the iPhone be used as hard drive where to boot from the Big Sur iOS? What is the safest method to upgrade the Macbook's hard drive?

 

[Slydude]

As I understand it you want to move the Big Sur installer to your iPhone or be able to boot the Mac from your iPhone. As far as I know there is no way to do either of those things,

As far as I can tell, other than freeing up some space on the internal drive you could either

1. Delete the Gig Sur Installer will free up several GB of space. I don't remember how much space but I think it is less than 15 GB.
2. Install Big Sur on an external drive and boot from the external drive.

Depending upon which Mac you have upgrading the internal hard drive may not be possible. Macs released in the last several years, especially the notebooks, have come with drives that are not upgradeable.

 

[chscag]

QQ: 1) What would be the best way to boot the Big Sur iOS without using the local hard drive?
2) Can the iPhone be used as hard drive where to boot from the Big Sur iOS? What is the safest method to upgrade the Macbook's hard drive?

First, Big Sur is not iOS, it's macOS 11.5.2 (current version). You can not load applications or an installer that is for macOS onto your iPhone. It won't work.

Refer to the post above mine by Slydude.

 

[cdeachaval]

As I understand it you want to move the Big Sur installer to your iPhone or be able to boot the Mac from your iPhone. As far as I know there is no way to do either of those things,

As far as I can tell, other than freeing up some space on the internal drive you could either

1. Delete the Gig Sur Installer will free up several GB of space. I don't remember how much space but I think it is less than 15 GB.
2. Install Big Sur on an external drive and boot from the external drive.

Depending upon which Mac you have upgrading the internal hard drive may not be possible. Macs released in the last several years, especially the notebooks, have come with drives that are not upgradeable.

I've just ordered the OWC Aurora Pro X2, should I cancel? Checked that my model matched their specifications since I have a MacBookPro12,1 model, and OWC looks legit.

I've disconnected my iCloud from my Mac, so pictures and drive are out, and deleted unnecessary apps to land on 20GB of free space with the Big Sur installer in the mac taking 12GB. Even if I recover those 12GB the installer is asking me for 15.48GB - I may be able to make it by removing more apps, but at this point I would rather upgrade the harddrive if it is a possibility with OWC.

Thank for the suggestions

 

[Slydude]

OWC's recommendations are usually accurate so if they say it fits you should be good to go. Make sure you select your Mac model and their recommended drives should fit. They have a good return policy and good tech support should you have any problems.

 

[MacInWin]

I've disconnected my iCloud from my Mac, so pictures and drive are out

What does that mean? Were you using "Mac optimization" or the iCloud option to store Documents and Desktop in the cloud? If so, you may have put some of your files at risk of being lost. But before you panic, tell us what you mean by "disconnected my iCloud from my Mac."

 

[ferrarr]

If you create a bootable USB installer from the Install macOS Big Sur file, then you will be able to delete the file.

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

You can use a USB flash drive or other secondary volume as a startup disk from which to install the Mac operating system. These steps are primarily for system administrators and other experienced users who are familiar with entering commands in Terminal.

support.apple.com

It will not stop you getting the Notifications or the red dot on System Preferences icon. If it is that bothersome, you can remove the icon from the Dock, then you won't see it anymore, unless you need to access System Preferences for some other thing.

 

[cdeachaval]

What does that mean? Were you using "Mac optimization" or the iCloud option to store Documents and Desktop in the cloud? If so, you may have put some of your files at risk of being lost. But before you panic, tell us what you mean by "disconnected my iCloud from my Mac."

I’ve unchecked the iCloud and Photos checkmark to de-synchronized the laptop with iCloud. I can see all of my Files and Photos from my iPhone so they are safe in iCloud

 

[cdeachaval]

Got the new card, and went through the process, but the system did not recognize the card as Destination for the Time Machine backup from my external hard drive.

Reinstalled the original card and all is back to normal. Reached out to OWC to see what is going on. Don't know if I need to downgrade the OS from 10.15 to 10.13 to get the card recognized or if they sent me a malfunctioning card. Hardware version is 12,1.

The card looks well tucked in and the nail fits right on the border - Will see what OWC says