Resolved Having difficulties creating bootable Sequoia USB installer for M4 Mac mini

[ImpetuousRacer]

I downloaded the M4 version of Sequoia and used terminal to create a bootable USB installer (like I have always done). The process starts and copies over, but then fails...

ERROR:
I get the following results :
To continue we need to erase the volume at /Volumes/Untitled.
If you wish to continue type (Y) then press return: y
Erasing disk: 0%... 10%... 20%... 30%... 100%
Copying essential files...
Copying the macOS RecoveryOS...
Making disk bootable...
Failed to extract AssetData/boot/Firmware/Manifests/InstallerBoot/* from update bundle
The bless of the installer disk failed.

THINGS I'VE TRIED SO FAR:

• I've tried creating in Safe Mode
• I've tried creating the USB installer on an Intel Mac
• I've tried different USB drives
• I've used Terminal and also Mist app
• Tried with 15.1.1 image as well

I've seen some others with same issue (Having difficulties creating bootable Ventura USB installer for M2 Mac Studio | Page 2 | MacRumors Forums) on Apple Silicone with zero resolution posted.

Has this been resolved? Thanks!

 

[chabig]

Are you following Apple's instructions precisely, including the command for Sequoia?

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sequoia.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

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.

support.apple.com

 

[gilby101]

I have no problems creating the installer for the standard build 24B91 of 15.1.1 (downloaded via Mist) on either my Intel iMac or my M3 MBP.

I assume you are using the M4 build 24B2091. That might be a difference, but I doubt it as your error is exactly like those reported for the past 3 years. I can't find any report with a clear statement of how it was resolved.

 

[ImpetuousRacer]

Are you following Apple's instructions precisely, including the command for Sequoia?

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sequoia.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

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.

support.apple.com

I've tried exactly like this and using Mist.

I have no problems creating the installer for the standard build 24B91 of 15.1.1 (downloaded via Mist) on either my Intel iMac or my M3 MBP.

I assume you are using the M4 build 24B2091. That might be a difference, but I doubt it as your error is exactly like those reported for the past 3 years. I can't find any report with a clear statement of how it was resolved.

Yes, I'm using the M4 specific build.

 

[gilby101]

Do your security settings allow boot from external device? I am clutching at straws as i would expect it to only matter when trying to boot.

 

[ImpetuousRacer]

Do your security settings allow boot from external device? I am clutching at straws as i would expect it to only matter when trying to boot.

I'm booting to an external drive. I tried creating the bootable USB from another Mac that was standard internal boot drive as well as booting to the internal drive on the m4, and still the same error.

 

[Mike Boreham]

Do your security settings allow boot from external device? I am clutching at straws as i would expect it to only matter when trying to boot.

Silicon Macs don't require reduced Startup Security to boot from externals. T2 macs do.

I suspect the OP problem is something to with the special build as you suggested.

 

[Mike Boreham]

I'm booting to an external drive. I tried creating the bootable USB from another Mac that was standard internal boot drive as well as booting to the internal drive on the m4, and still the same error.

You could try using Mist which has Sequoia 24B2091....still comes from Apple servers and works brilliantly IME (but I have not got a M4 Mac)

 

[chrfr]

This error happens with every forked build of macOS that comes out. You’ll have to wait for 15.2 to be able to build an installer disk.

 

[Fishrrman]

chrfr gives us the answer.

The m4 Macs are "too new" (just yet) to work with the Apple "generic" installers and updaters.

By 15.2 things ought to "catch up".

This same problem arose before with the release of other Macs, either at the same time or shortly after an OS upgrade was introduced, as well.

 

[chrfr]

chrfr gives us the answer.

The m4 Macs are "too new" (just yet) to work with the Apple "generic" installers and updaters.

That’s not what I wrote at all. The new computers use a “forked” build of macOS. These installers have not successfully been able to create a bootable USB installer for a long time. When Apple releases a unified build of macOS that runs on the M4 and older computers, the issue will be resolved again; 15.2 will likely be the version that resolves the problem.

 

[Joeronzk]

Go and try an old version such as 15.0. I have no problem making Sequoia bootable USB on my Intel MacBook Pro.

 

[gilby101]

Go and try an old version such as 15.0

Though, of course, this won't work for an M4 Mac.

15.2 will likely be the version that resolves the problem.

No need to wait, I think. If you look back at the post from @Mike Boreham, you will see that MIST presents two builds of 15.1.1. The smaller one is, I assume, for M4 Macs and can be used to create a bootable installer.

 

[chrfr]

No need to wait, I think. If you look back at the post from @Mike Boreham, you will see that MIST presents two builds of 15.1.1. The smaller one is, I assume, for M4 Macs and can be used to create a bootable installer.

No, the point is that those forked installers, which is what the OP is talking about, don’t successfully create a bootable installer.

 

[Joeronzk]

No, the point is that those forked installers, which is what the OP is talking about, don’t successfully create a bootable installer.

On my Intel mac, the build is 24B91 (14.56 GB). This is the most recent update via system update. However, there is another build available 24B2091 (12.73GB) from Mist app. Not sure OP has tried that or not.

 

[DeltaMac]

Review OPs post #4: Yes, OP tried the M4 specific build.

 

[ImpetuousRacer]

No, the point is that those forked installers, which is what the OP is talking about, don’t successfully create a bootable installer.

Downloaded the 15.2 installer today. The Apple gods have "blessed" this image and it works correctly for a bootable USB installer now. Just as chrfr suspected.