In this guide, we will be sharing a couple of handy methods that should help you install macOS 15.4 on an MDM Mac. When users are trying to install the said update, they are either being greeted with the “Installation Failed” or “Failed to authenticate” error messages. For some, the update isn’t even being downloaded, whereas for others, while the update gets downloaded, however, it fails to get installed or just keeps asking for the password.
Further digging into this problem, we found out most of the issues were coming from those users whose Macs are managed by organizations using Mobile Device Management, specifically the ones that have the Microsoft Intune software installed. Here’s what one of the affected users had to say:
“We’re using Intune as our MDM for Macs, and we’re experiencing issues with the macOS 15.4 update. The automatic update fails with an ‘Installation failed’ error. Manual Installation through System Settings also doesn’t work.”
What is even more infuriating to note is the fact that this version also faced some issues while it was in the Release Candidate stage. And the reason at that point in time was Apple’s inability to provide the correct server-side decryption keys. Anyway, if we talk about the current issue at hand, then we have managed to find a few nifty workarounds that should help you rectify this issue. So without further ado, let’s check them out.
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Fix Cannot Install macOS 15.4 on MDM Mac
It is recommended that you try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and then see which one spells out success. So with that in mind, let’s get started.
FIX 1: Install via Terminal
Your first course of action should be to install the update using the Terminal instead of the usual System Settings. Here’s how it can be done:
- Head over to Launchpad > Others > Terminal.
- Now type the below command in the Terminal
sudo softwareupdate –install “macOS Sequoia 15.4-24E248” - The update will now be downloaded and installed.
FIX 2: Using Safe Mode
You can also try installing the update in Safe Mode. In this mode, all the third-party apps, including Microsoft Intune, will be disabled and hence you’ll be able to install the update without any roadblocks. While it may not be the most viable and/or feasible solution for organisations with hundreds or thousands of users, wherein they should individually all on their own boot their devices in safe mode and manually install the software like this, but for many, this might be their only way out. So boot your Mac to safe mode, try installing the update, and check out the result.
That’s it. These were the two different methods that should help you install macOS 15.4 on your MDM Mac. As far as the official stance on this matter is concerned, the developers are yet to acknowledge this issue, let alone give out any ETA for the rollout of a fix. As and when any of these two things happen, we will update this guide accordingly. In the meantime, the aforementioned workarounds are your best bet.
