Cannot update; second Zotero opens with error update failed

mydwyfe

I will get a request for pw to allow Zotero to update; immediately after a second Zotero opens on my Macbook toolbar and then the error message appears before I have a chance to enter the password.
What's going on?

dstillman

You might get this if you try to update from a non-admin user account that doesn't have permission to update the app. If the app was installed from an admin account, you'll need to update from there as well.

If you don't have easy access to an admin account, you can install Zotero in /Users/[username]/Applications instead of /Applications, and then you would be able to update it yourself.

mydwyfe

I'm sorry, I don't really know what this means as an old person. What would an admin account be? I used to use the free version, then paid to get additional storage. Is that the problem? Can you give me more specific steps on how to fix it, I'm stuck here with deadlines and Word is crashing every time I try to use Zotero, in addition to that message.

adamsmith

no, the issue is how you are installing this on the Mac nothing to do with the Zotero version -- admin account refers to the account on your computer you used to install Zotero. If you have a different (i.e. admin) user account for Mac OS on your Mac, log out of the current one, log in the admin one, and then open Zotero to update.

mydwyfe

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8612748/xhi344ucj6dzmlwxmoqf.png

mydwyfe

I guess this is what you are referring to...I only use mine and he doesn't use Zotero. More help please?

mydwyfe

This is a new computer that I migrated everything to, if that means anything

dstillman

That image didn't come through. Can you try again?

dstillman

That looks like you're logged into the other account, though? (I've removed that image now to protect your privacy.)

In any case, you can just delete Zotero from the Applications and try reinstalling from the download page. Your data won't be affected. If you get an error again at the next update, let us know.

dstillman

@mydwyfe: Oh, and if this is a new computer, this could definitely happen if you transferred files manually without using macOS's Migration Assistant. (If you did use Migration Assistant, it shouldn't happen.)

mydwyfe

I did use migration assistant. I am logged into mine, but he may also be signed in.
So I should delete first and then reinstall?

dstillman

Yes, you should just delete Zotero from Applications and redownload it.

mydwyfe

You promise my library won't disappear? I know that sounds pitiful, but this close to my dissertation, it would kill me...

dstillman

Yes. Deleting apps from the Applications folder on macOS never affects data.

mydwyfe

Okay. What about the extension?

dstillman

That's unrelated.

mydwyfe

K so I moved it to trash from applications, then re-downloaded but it still says this:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8612748/cb6yiznczxky5sr7i12j.png

mydwyfe

Ah! It asked me that Zotero already existed and if I wanted to replace but I clicked no, I guess I do want to replace? Or it really wasn't deleted?

mydwyfe

Image broken again but it said last modified Nov 2, 2023

dstillman

Zotero 6.0.30 is from November, yes.

And you didn't actually delete it from Applications if you're getting that prompt, but deleting and replacing are equivalent.

mydwyfe

I think it may be fixed, had to step away from the anxiety, but no errors so far. Thank you so much dstillman!!