# macOS: There is not enough available storage to install this update / Installation of macOS could not continue

**Code:** `Not enough free space to install macOS update` · **Category:** macOS · **Seen on:** macOS

Software Update needs several GB of free space (often 25-35 GB) to download and stage the update.

## Meaning

Free space: empty Trash, remove Xcode simulators (`xcrun simctl delete unavailable`), Docker images, old iOS backups, caches (`~/Library/Caches`), and Time Machine local snapshots (`tmutil listlocalsnapshots /` then `tmutil deletelocalsnapshots DATE`). Check About This Mac → Storage.

## Common causes

- Less free space than the installer needs
- Large Xcode/simulator/Docker data
- Local Time Machine snapshots
- iOS device backups
- Caches and logs

## Quick fix

1. Free 30+ GB: delete Xcode derived data, simulators, Docker images
2. `tmutil deletelocalsnapshots` for old snapshots
3. Use `du -sh ~/Library/* | sort -h | tail`

## Detailed fix by platform

### macOS

1. `df -h / && tmutil listlocalsnapshots / && xcrun simctl delete unavailable`

## How to diagnose

1. **Free** — GB available?
2. **Big** — Largest folders?
3. **Snapshots** — Local TM?

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Source: [WhatIsMyError](https://whatismyerror.com/errors/macos/not-enough-space-macos-update)