So I installed the 11.1 RC 2 yesterday and it was running fine until this morning the Mail app decided it would no longer open up. I tried everything to fix it and resorted to formatting the drive and reinstalling 11.1 RC 2 clean. Everything went find until I got to the part where you create a user account. I got an error that says "The name you used can't be used" and it wouldn't create the account. I tried other names just to see if it were something with my account. I wiped it a second time and got the message "Computer account creation failed - Your computer account could not be created with the name and password specified. Please Try again." When I gave up and rebooted...then the login screen with both accounts I tried to created (that presumably failed to create) and when I attempted to login to either either of them it would say the password was incorrect. I'm at a total loss on how to complete a clean install. What am I doing wrong?
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Installing Big Sur Clean on M1 Macs "Computer account creation failed"
- Thread starter cecoleman
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I had a similar issue, and the solution I found that worked was to use another Mac with Configurator 2 (free via AppStore), connected to my M1 via USB 3 to USB C, put M1 in DFU mode, and then use the other Mac to restore the drives on my M1 which reinstalled 11.0.1 again.
Well, I was able to get it back up by using migration assistant and restoring a backup. Not what I wanted to do because it doesn't fix the mail problem. Lots of other issues now as the finger print reader won't let me set it up with freezing and and Apple Pay says security settings need to be changed. SMH As a Mac user since 2005 this is the first time I've ever had major trouble like this.
I was having some serious issues with iCloud and not syncing. Wasn’t sure what it was, so after 11.1 was released today I decided to go for the fresh install from a USB installer. After the first run it somehow still have my user name/password set up, so no changes. Then I wiped the SSD, installed completely clean. Making my way through setup and got the ‘name can’t be used’ error. Tried several times with different names, etc. and got nowhere tonight.
Machine was brand new so no backup. Going to try and grab an adapter for my time machine drive to try and restore from the MBP I was hoping to retire.
Same boat as you. Mac user since 2005 and first time I’ve had issue. But going to chalk this up to my impatience... should have just called Apple about the iCloud sync issues. Will post any progress tomorrow, and if nothing on the restore will be calling Apple.
Machine was brand new so no backup. Going to try and grab an adapter for my time machine drive to try and restore from the MBP I was hoping to retire.
Same boat as you. Mac user since 2005 and first time I’ve had issue. But going to chalk this up to my impatience... should have just called Apple about the iCloud sync issues. Will post any progress tomorrow, and if nothing on the restore will be calling Apple.
I think the reason is still had the name there is the same issue I had. It seems to split the drive into two one has Data next to it in disk utilities I think. I only deleted the first container when I got my Mac. My user name still existed. I then had to go back into disk utilities and wiped data and the other container.
When it reinstalled, was fine. No more user name.
When it reinstalled, was fine. No more user name.
I resolved this issue on Sunday by using the the Configurator 2 app and an iMac I have in my home office. It restored it to factory with 11.0.1 (very similar to iOS Device hooked up to a Mac) and I was able to login and create an account again. Oddly enough it seems like it has something to do with fine my Mac not turning off the activation lock? Even when I set it up as new after the factory reset it informed me during setup that my iCloud account had the machine iCloud locked, but entering in my iCloud credentials got me past that and set up properly. Very strange and I hope to never repeat that fiasco again. I reported it to apple in the feedback app as a bug on 11.1 with machines that still have 11.0.1 as the recovery partition.
Its normal having the last used os in the recovery partition. you can update over the updater in macos to get the new firmware and then for clean install boot on recovery mode erase and well done you will get a fresh 11.1 or use some usb installer to skip the 2 updates and make only one. the safe way is always first update over mac installer then erase.
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Why not try this: use another name and account to bring up the system. Then try to create the account you want and see what happens.
BTW, the system will create admin account credentials and certificates outside the main system to validate your accessing the disk with FileVault and for changing settings in Recovery. Not sure, where these are kept. They are most likely kept in a hidden location and loaded into the security enclave on boot.
I tried that and it wouldn't let me create *any account. Once I was able to restore my account through migration I attempted to create a second account through system preferences just to try and see what would happen. It let me create one, but when I tried to log out and login as that account it would tell me the password was wrong. But I know that wasn't the case because I made the password very generic to test. It was weird.
Tried several different names and continually got stuck at account creation. I was able to get it resolved by using Configurator 2, working through the DFU mode, and restoring all the way to original settings. Activation lock was still present (which makes sense), but was unexpected.
I’m now back where I was when this whole thing started. And, iCloud Drive is still not syncing. Instead of fixing on my own I’m just going to call support and see what I can do.
I got my Mac Mini two days ago and I'm having the same issue. I have some additional info.
I was able to get into my Mac by using a Time Machine backup. Everything was working normally but there are a few caveats.
First, I was unable to turn off "Find my Mac". I figured that since I was able to finally login I could just turn off "Find my Mac" and start the install process all over again. When I tried to turn off "Find my Mac" it asked for my AppleID Password which worked fine but then a dialog was shown asking for my USERID password. When I entered that password it did the Shaky Textbox thing like it does when your password is wrong. Even though this is the SAME password I just used to login, it wasn't working.
I figured that I would just change the password. When I went to the Change Password screen I put in the "Old Password" and "New Password". It threw an error telling me that my password couldn't be changed.
I got the idea of creating a new account and changing the password on that one to see if it worked. I created a new Admin account but when I logged out of the main account and selected the new account it wouldn't let me login.
I am pretty sure this has something to do with "Find my Mac". I went to appleid.apple.com and I removed my Mac Mini from my list of devices, I completely erased the entire SSD, and rebooted back into Recovery Mode and it still asked for my AppleID and Password to enter Recovery Mode.
One other thing I noticed, (I don't know if this is a big deal or not), but after I erase the drive and Reinstall MacOS while I'm in the setup the clock is off by an hour early, (I'm in mountain time and it's showing pacific).
Anyway, I'm running the "Restore" from Configurator right now. I'll come back and update if that works.
I was able to get into my Mac by using a Time Machine backup. Everything was working normally but there are a few caveats.
First, I was unable to turn off "Find my Mac". I figured that since I was able to finally login I could just turn off "Find my Mac" and start the install process all over again. When I tried to turn off "Find my Mac" it asked for my AppleID Password which worked fine but then a dialog was shown asking for my USERID password. When I entered that password it did the Shaky Textbox thing like it does when your password is wrong. Even though this is the SAME password I just used to login, it wasn't working.
I figured that I would just change the password. When I went to the Change Password screen I put in the "Old Password" and "New Password". It threw an error telling me that my password couldn't be changed.
I got the idea of creating a new account and changing the password on that one to see if it worked. I created a new Admin account but when I logged out of the main account and selected the new account it wouldn't let me login.
I am pretty sure this has something to do with "Find my Mac". I went to appleid.apple.com and I removed my Mac Mini from my list of devices, I completely erased the entire SSD, and rebooted back into Recovery Mode and it still asked for my AppleID and Password to enter Recovery Mode.
One other thing I noticed, (I don't know if this is a big deal or not), but after I erase the drive and Reinstall MacOS while I'm in the setup the clock is off by an hour early, (I'm in mountain time and it's showing pacific).
Anyway, I'm running the "Restore" from Configurator right now. I'll come back and update if that works.
It looks like that worked.
I did the "Restore" step not the "Revive" step. This is the first time I've used Configurator so I don't know if it matters.
But the important thing is that it seems to be working just fine.
Note: When I got to the "Create a Computer Account" screen I clicked "Continue" and I thought it had failed again because it took about 15 seconds for the next screen to appear.
NOTE 2: My previous assumption may be wrong because even after running the "RESTORE" feature from Configurator I still had to enter my AppleID and Password to unlock the Setup. After I entered my credentials it restarted and I was on the "Select Your Country" screen.
Thanks. I've been straggling with this problem the whole morning. Removing the mac from my Find My Device fixed the problem.
Since you've not described your issue, can you expand on you problem? Is this related to the account creation problem?
Hey yes ! It was the same issue. Though I just found the fix thanks to you and denvercoder, I just deleted my macbook pro m1 from my icloud account (so deleted from "Find My"). Tried a last time to reset the computer and it worked !! So thanks to both of you !
I have exactly the same issue, I've not tried yet to delete my mac mini from my iCloud account.
I don't know. I was on with Apple support for 3 hours today and they just told me to send it back.
Other's have said that removing the device from their Apple account has worked:
Yes removing the device from my apple account worked for me, before sending the device back, try to do this it may work for you aswellI don't know. I was on with Apple support for 3 hours today and they just told me to send it back.
Other's have said that removing the device from their Apple account has worked:
I think the need to still enter the Apple ID info after using configurator (I did as well) is driven by the Secure Enclave, which I believe used to be on the T2 and is now on the M1. I believe this keeps someone from stealing the machine, resetting through DFU Restore, and it showing up on Craigslist. That being said, I’m connecting dots and not a security expert
Hi all, I faced similar issue when doing a clean installation on my M1 MBP. It seems my Mac was 'locked'.
I called Apple Support, the tech guy recommended me to 'reset password' in Terminal under Recovery Assistant. After which, I continue to install BigSur again, I was then able to create account again with no issue. Hope it helps.
I called Apple Support, the tech guy recommended me to 'reset password' in Terminal under Recovery Assistant. After which, I continue to install BigSur again, I was then able to create account again with no issue. Hope it helps.
Encountered the exact same issue today. Removing the Macbook Air from my iCloud account (via iCloud.com under Find iPhone) and reinstalling from recovery did the trick.
Thanks for the tips above. After many attempts, I found that removing the device from appleid website worked, I had tried earlier with iCloud and find my devices, but no luck that route.)
Here is what I did. I setup a USB installer with 11.1 installer.
Ran recovery and disk utility. Deleted the Macintosh volume and the Data volume. Recreated the Macintosh HD partition as APFS.
I also did the recovery terminal and resetpassword to remove my ID from the actual hardware.
Started the USB installer going. While that was running, I removed my new MacBook from the AppleID device list.
When I got to the country selection, carried on as normal. Connected to my Apple ID. Then created the local account as normal.
Waited. Didn't think it had worked... then BOOM... it did. Thanks for all the tips. This was a big relief after a frustrating day!
Issue seems to be with Apple not able to renew an existing Apple Device on your Apple ID. You'd think they'd test this stuff.
Here is what I did. I setup a USB installer with 11.1 installer.
Ran recovery and disk utility. Deleted the Macintosh volume and the Data volume. Recreated the Macintosh HD partition as APFS.
I also did the recovery terminal and resetpassword to remove my ID from the actual hardware.
Started the USB installer going. While that was running, I removed my new MacBook from the AppleID device list.
When I got to the country selection, carried on as normal. Connected to my Apple ID. Then created the local account as normal.
Waited. Didn't think it had worked... then BOOM... it did. Thanks for all the tips. This was a big relief after a frustrating day!
Issue seems to be with Apple not able to renew an existing Apple Device on your Apple ID. You'd think they'd test this stuff.