Fix “The Target Volume is Part of Incomplete System” on Mac
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Written By Ruslana Lishchuk
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Approved By Tanushree Chatterjee
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Updated on 1 Oct, 2024 -
Min Reading 5 Min - Share
Summary: macOS Catalina reinstall often gets interrupted due to the “The target volume is part of an incomplete system and cannot be installed to.” error message. We offer you three effective solutions to overcome the issue. Sometimes, the macOS upgrade process results in unintentional data loss. In such a case, use Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac to recover lost documents, photos, and video files.
Running an outdated macOS comes with many inconveniences. That’s why experienced Mac users try to keep their machines upgraded to ensure optimal system performance. Though macOS upgrade is typically a pain-free process, you may occasionally run into installation issues. For example, users who reinstall macOS Catalina or later OS versions often get stuck with the “The target volume is part of an incomplete system and cannot be installed to.” error.
Let’s investigate why the error message pops up and what you can do to fix it.
What Causes The “The target volume is part of an incomplete system and cannot be installed to” Error?
One of the system requirements for the macOS Catalina upgrade is APFS. APFS stands for Apple File System and is a proprietary file system designed by Apple to replace the old HFS+ used on Macs previously. It was released in 2017 and became a default data structuring system for Mac systems operating on macOS High Sierra and later.
APFS demonstrates numerous advantages over a traditional HFS+. It offers faster operations, improved crash protection, and more convenient file management. Another significant innovation introduced with APFS was a merger of Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD-Data into a single volume in Finder. As a result, data integrity got improved. However, it also contributed to newly emerged installation difficulties.
In most cases, the “The target volume is part of an incomplete system and cannot be installed to.” error pops up due to incorrect startup disk formatting.
The most common errors involve:
- Erasing Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD – Data.
- Not formatting the startup disk but removing the Macintosh HD data volume instead.
- Erasing Macintosh HD only.
Now, let’s discuss the best solution for the “The target volume is part of an incomplete system and cannot be installed to” error message.
Solution 1: Reformat the Startup Disk in Recovery Mode
Since the “The target volume is part of an incomplete system and cannot be installed to.” error appears because of incorrect startup disk formatting, the first fix you should try is to erase the startup disk and try to reinstall macOS Catalina.
Be careful formatting the disk, as it will remove all data on your computer. You can use Time Machine or other backup solutions to secure important files.
Before you erase your startup disk, you should boot your Mac in macOS Recovery Mode. The method you should use to enter Recovery Mode depends on the type of Mac you are using.
If you use a Mac with Apple Silicon:
- Press the Power Button when turning on your Mac.
- Hold it until you see the Startup Options window.
- Click the Options icon and then Continue.
If you use a Mac with an Intel processor:
- Turn on your Mac
- Press and hold the key combination Command and R.
When you boot your Mac in Recovery Mode, log in to your account and select the Disk Utility feature. Click on Continue.
Now, you can erase your startup disk.
To reformat your startup disk, follow these steps:
- Click on View to select disks and volumes to display.
- Select Show All Devices.
- Go to the Internal section in the left-hand sidebar and click on the volume name at the top.
- Choose Erase in the top-right corner of the Disk Utility window.
You will see a new window with three fields to fill in:
- Under Name, type a name you want to use for your disk.
- Under Format, select APFS.
- Under Scheme, choose GUID Partition Map.
Start the erase process and wait for it to complete. It usually lasts a few seconds. Once the disk formatting is over, close Disk Utility and try reinstalling macOS Ventura.
Solution 2: Reformat the Startup Disk in Internet Recovery Mode
Sometimes, erasing your startup disk in macOS Recovery Mode fails to resolve the “The target volume is part of an incomplete system and cannot be installed to.” error. Then, consider using Internet Recovery Mode to reformat the startup disk and fix the error message.
If you own a Mac with Apple Silicon, repeat the steps to enter macOS Recovery Mode.
If you own Intel-based Mac, follow these steps to enter Internet Recovery Mode:
- Shut Down your Mac.
- Turn it back on while holding the key combination Command, Option, and R.
- Release the keys when you see a globe sign.
- Choose your network and log in to your user account.
After this, open Disk Utility and repeat the steps to erase the startup disk via the Disk Utility tool. Then, attempt to reinstall macOS Ventura.
Solution 3: Select MacOS Extended (Journaled) Format
Another possible solution to fix the “The target volume is part of an incomplete system and cannot be installed to.” error is to change the format type when erasing the startup disk. Try using the MacOS Extended (Journaled) format instead of APFS. Your Mac will format the hard drive with MacOS Extended (Journaled). Then, the installer will automatically convert it into APFS.
Restore Missing Files if Troubleshooting Goes Wrong
Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac to retrieve data if you spot missing files after fixing the “The target volume is part of incomplete system” issue.
To restore missing files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac:
- Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac and install it on your computer.
- Install and run the application.
- Choose the type of files you want to recover.
- Select the volume to scan for missing files.
- Run the scan to detect the files you can recover.
- Choose the files to restore and click the Recover button.
Conclusion
The “The target volume is part of an incomplete system and cannot be installed to.” error can interfere with macOS upgrades. Usually, the reason for it to appear is incorrect startup disk formatting. So, to resolve it, make sure you erase the whole startup disk via Disk Utility. However, if the steps described in the article don’t help, consider contacting Apple Support for further assistance.
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NO About The Author
Ruslana is a tech content writer whose true passion is finding out about everything Mac-related. She specializes in creating macOS guides and tips & tricks. In her spare time, you’ll find her doing yoga or discovering local coffee shops in search of the best filter coffee.
16 comments
Leave a comment
I’ve never used Stellar Data Recovery before. Is it a reliable software for Mac users?
Stellar Data Recovery is a reputable tool with a good track record for Mac users. Many find it effective for data recovery, but it’s always a good idea to back up data regularly to avoid such situations.
I appreciate that you included multiple solutions. It shows that there’s no one-size-fits-all fix, and we have options to choose from.
You’re absolutely right, Lara! Different situations may require different approaches, so having multiple solutions can be very helpful.
I’ve been putting off upgrading my macOS due to fear of errors like this. This article gives me the confidence to finally update!
That’s great to hear, Oliver! Upgrading is important for security and performance, and with these solutions, you’re well-prepared. Go for it!
Thanks for explaining why this error happens in the first place. Understanding the cause helps in preventing it.
You’re welcome, Emma! It’s always good to know the ‘why’ behind these issues to better avoid them.
I followed the steps, but the error persists. What should I do next?
If the error persists despite trying the solutions in the article, it might be a good idea to reach out to Apple Support for more advanced troubleshooting.
I’m always worried about data loss during macOS upgrades. This article gives me some peace of mind knowing there are recovery options.
Data loss can be a concern, but it’s great to know there are recovery options available. Don’t hesitate to use Stellar Data Recovery if needed.
Is there any way to prevent this error in the first place? It seems like a major hassle to go through all of this.
Preventing the error often comes down to proper disk management and avoiding interruptions during upgrades. Regularly backing up your important data is also a good practice.
I encountered this error while reinstalling macOS Catalina last week. Thanks for these solutions! I’ll try them out and hope it fixes the issue.
You’re welcome, Sophia! I hope one of the solutions works for you. If you have any questions while trying them, feel free to ask for help.