Help please!

[Xoxbellaxox]

Hey
I am in urgent need for help! I got my new MacBook Air yesterday and I locked myself out already. I decided to follow what others had said and erase the disks and unfortunately I can’t download macOS BigSur now as it’s saying it has something “failed to personalize the software update.Please try again.
Well I have tried all night and now all morning and it keeps saying the same thing!!
If anyone is able to help me I would greatly appreciate it!!
It’s driving me mad and I will probably end up doing more damage to it than good (or maybe I have already)

 

[Xoxbellaxox]

I’m also brand new to owning a MacBook Air so honestly have no clue what I’m doing

 

[Juicy Box]

If an error occurred while updating or installing macOS - Apple Support

The message might say that an error occurred while downloading, preparing, or installing, or that the software is damaged, could not be verified, or failed to personalize. The cause of messages like these can vary, and sometimes they're only temporary.

support.apple.com

 

[Ruggy]

Hi
Usually, Macs are simple to use but when you get in a mess especially when you are new to them, it can be a real nightmare to sort out as you have found.
It's new so does that mean you have got it from an Apple store?
If so honestly the best thing is to go to the store and ask for help. They are there to help you especially with a new product and from memory you should have free access to a help line as well.
It's quite difficult for people at distance to work out what the problem is because we have so little information. Things like did you set up an Apple account first, how did you lock yourself out etc. So the best thing is to take it in if you can.
You haven't lost any data, they are usually really helpful and will undoubtedly sort it out very quickly.
Good luck though because I know from experience, you are in a very miserable and lonely place right now.

 

[Xoxbellaxox]

Thanks! Managed to phone them up and they did try to sort on the phone but was unsuccessful. Going to a apple store tomorrow where hopefully they can fix the issue
Thankyou for replying to the thread

 

[MBAir2010]

you might have entered the wrong password too many times to 's liking
for a safety and security reasons, the MacBook locked you out, because that expect you were not using the notebook.

when you get the MacBook all set up again, use a 4 digit passcode you will always remember.
i use my atm pin # from 1985 on everything and never had a problem with login in.

there is also a feature on MacBooks were you can by pass the log-in which i have set.
this is found under system preferences-security-general, hopefully this feature is on BigSur

im trying to get used to windows 10 and find that uncomfortable due to the many steps just to empty cache or clear SSD space and have almost screwed things up at times.

have fun once you get the MacBook M1 running again!

 

[Apple_Robert]

@Xoxbellaxox
Try the following...

If you run into any problems or have questions, post them and we will hopefully get you up and running without having to wait on Apple.

1. Power off the M1
2. Press and hold the power button to enter recovery mode
3. Click the Options icon and then press continue
4. In the upper left corner select Recovery Assistant
5. In that drop down menu, select Erase Mac
6. Follow the on-screen steps from there

 

[mj_]

I decided to follow what others had said and erase the disks

Let me get this straight: you got a brand-new MacBook Air M1 and decided to follow somebody's advice to immediately erase and reinstall it from scratch? Why would anyone ever do that? I get the point if you're buying used but brand-new in a sealed box? What's the point?

 

[jeyf]

schedue a genus bar appointment
-maybe bring the reciept
-apple has excellent phone support at ‭(800) 692-7753‬

 

[Xoxbellaxox]

Let me get this straight: you got a brand-new MacBook Air M1 and decided to follow somebody's advice to immediately erase and reinstall it from scratch? Why would anyone ever do that? I get the point if you're buying used but brand-new in a sealed box? What's the point?

Maybe because I was stupid enough to do it and was just panicking
Maybe people, particularly yourself, shouldn’t comment or say anything if you actually can’t give any decent advice. Considering I didn’t ask for an opinion of someone who is abrupt and rude. So Thankyou for you “advice” but I don’t really need your crap
So thanks but no thanks 😘

 

[Xoxbellaxox]

@Xoxbellaxox
Try the following...

If you run into any problems or have questions, post them and we will hopefully get you up and running without having to wait on Apple.

1. Power off the M1
2. Press and hold the power button to enter recovery mode
3. Click the Options icon and then press continue
4. In the upper left corner select Recovery Assistant
5. In that drop down menu, select Erase Mac
6. Follow the on-screen steps from there

Thankyou for your help! Got it sorted and have definitely learnt my lesson

 

[mj_]

Relax, I was only trying to figure out why anyone would do what you did, that's all. It wasn't my intention to "give you crap" or be "abrupt and rude". Glad you figured it out.