Installing Big Sur Clean on M1 Macs "Computer account creation failed"

[stownsend3]

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.

Glad they could be of some help.

I finally got my initial issue fixed - iCloud Drive syncing. Took awhile to get to senior support, but after some guessing and checking they kicked off a 'health check' on my account and *poof* everything started showing up. Not quite ready to fully commit to this machine, but we're a whole lot closer today than I was a week ago.

 

[Rob9874]

I tried restoring my M1 MBA using Internet Recovery, after I had upgraded to 11.1. Worked fine, until this Computer Account issue popped up. I tried all the suggestions in this thread, including removing it from Find My at the Apple ID website, and going into Recovery Terminal and trying resetpassword (I got a message saying there was no ID to reset). I tried erasing and reinstalling Big Sur 3 times, and got stuck with this issue each time. I had to use Configurator 2 from my old MBA and got it to work.

 

[bsmr]

So with 11.1 the issue stays the same?

What's the 'best' way to securely erase the hard-disk and setup big sur from scratch?

 

[takgoya]

Hi all,
I had the same issue with a MBA.
After formatting HD and reinstalling macOS, I faced the issue of "can not create user account".
Try to create account with/without appleID, it remained popping same issue.

As some people said, going into iCloud.com and deleting the MAC, worked.
I had to go on "Find my device" and "delete Mac", it says on next reboot it will delete the link with the MBA.
And it worked, the only way I managed to reinstall properly the system, deleting Mac from iCloud.com.

 

[JSBRG]

Experiencing exactly the same problem. I would format my new MacBook Air M1 - I always do that with a new computer, to get a fresh start without the pre-installed programs.

I had previously put Big Sur 11.1 down on a USB. I had also updated my new MacBook to 11.1.

I deleted the two drives MacintoshHD and Data, and then installed. Everything went fine until I got to where I needed to create an account for the computer. Once I have written name and code, and press next, it freezes and nothing more happens.

Now I do not quite know what to do. I have never been logged in to my Apple ID on that device. So the trick of removing it from iCloud may not be the solution 😥

 

[apple_iBoy]

The USB-C to USB-A cable I found at target did not work to connect my M1 to another Mac for the Configurator option, so I ended up having to create an installer on a 16 GB USB stick. It was a frustrating couple of hours.

 

[Eriol]

Can you guys setup Apple Pay after reinstalling? My MacBook Air keeps telling me "Apple Pay has been disabled because the security settings of this Mac were modified." but I have not change any security settings.

 

[reasonrulaz]

I'm experienced same problem..

After a lot of tries then I found solution.. But I'm write down as much as I can remind..

Here;

1 - Start with long press to power button for startup options window

2 - Enter "Options"

3 - Enter Terminal (via Utilities)

4 - Run "resetpassword"

5 - This is the KEY POINT -----------> Enter First Drop-Down menu at the toolbar and SELECT "Erase Mac"

6 - After this procedure you can seamlessly install your clean BigSur via USB-Flash drive or Internet method...

7 - Have fun with your clean OS

 

[filteq]

I have just gone through this this afternoon. I wanted to perform a clean install to fix my issues with iCloud Drive and Safari tab syncing. Unfortunately, it is not an easy process on M1 Macs yet. If I had known I would have just put it off. But, thanks to the posts on here, I was able to resolve the issue and perform a clean install of Big Sur on my M1 MBA.

After trying the various methods with no luck, I did a full restore using DFU mode and it finally worked. Using the Configurator 2 app to restore was a breeze, but getting the MacBook into DFU mode was tricky. This YouTube video helped a lot:

Unfortunately, my issues with iCloud syncing remain. After wasting all that time I have decided it is probably best to just wait for the next point update at this point.

 

[johnalan]

Can you guys setup Apple Pay after reinstalling? My MacBook Air keeps telling me "Apple Pay has been disabled because the security settings of this Mac were modified." but I have not change any security settings.

It’s because you don’t have “install system updates” checked in software update advanced settings.

 

[Eriol]

It’s because you don’t have “install system updates” checked in software update advanced settings.

Actually the "install system updates" box was checked. I finally got this issue fixed by reinstalling the system again. But this time I signed out my icloud account and deleted the MacBook Air linked to my apple account before reinstalling the system.

 

[Lowhangers]

Well, I tried everything listed here except using another Mac as I didn’t have one. NOTHING worked. NOTHING. I even tried migration settings from an old Time Machine backup I had from 2018, that bombed too.

I filled out my return and will be sending this Mac mini back to Apple tomorrow. I cannot believe they shipped this thing with a bug like this. It shut me down totally, and my mini is now basically a brick that nobody can use because they can’t create a local account.

I am undecided as to whether I will order another one. I loved it initially, but this install is half-baked to say the least. It’s the worst one I’ve ever dealt with from Apple.

Really, this situation is just a total embarrassment for Apple.

 

[jdb8167]

Well, I tried everything listed here except using another Mac as I didn’t have one. NOTHING worked. NOTHING. I even tried migration settings from an old Time Machine backup I had from 2018, that bombed too.

I filled out my return and will be sending this Mac mini back to Apple tomorrow. I cannot believe they shipped this thing with a bug like this. It shut me down totally, and my mini is now basically a brick that nobody can use because they can’t create a local account.

I am undecided as to whether I will order another one. I loved it initially, but this install is half-baked to say the least. It’s the worst one I’ve ever dealt with from Apple.

Really, this situation is just a total embarrassment for Apple.

It's buggy for sure. But most people will not encounter this and Apple will certainly fix the bugs. It's not like they aren't aware of them--they must get hundreds of calls a day at this point.

My recent experience. I wanted to experiment with installing from recovery and trying (for the 10th time) to install to an external USB drive. I've tried this over and over and it just doesn't work on my M1 MacBook Air. Others have had success but I haven't been able to duplicate it. So, this document: reinstalling macOS on your M1 Mac seemed to imply that you could reset your password and reinstall. I tried it and it completely wiped my MacBook Air. I was prepared for this and had comprehensive backups.

What I wasn't prepared for is that nothing I did at that point would resolve the errors that the reinstall was showing. I tried formatting the internal disk but you can't do that because recovery is booted using it. So I deleted the various volumes that were left over from my earlier install. That was a disaster. At that point, the SSD didn't even show up in the Big Sur installer. The computer was pretty much dead. I probably could have recovered with the Configurator 2 solution but that was not appealing. Luckily I had made an bootable installer on a thumb driver earlier and that allowed me to erase and reinstall.

How are regular people going to figure this out. If you make a mistake following Apple's instructions, you trash your Mac with no easy way to recover. It is an awful situation that Apple needs to fix. You shouldn't have to be a computer expert to restore your Mac.

 

[Superhai]

It's buggy for sure. But most people will not encounter this and Apple will certainly fix the bugs. It's not like they aren't aware of them--they must get hundreds of calls a day at this point.

My recent experience. I wanted to experiment with installing from recovery and trying (for the 10th time) to install to an external USB drive. I've tried this over and over and it just doesn't work on my M1 MacBook Air. Others have had success but I haven't been able to duplicate it. So, this document: reinstalling macOS on your M1 Mac seemed to imply that you could reset your password and reinstall. I tried it and it completely wiped my MacBook Air. I was prepared for this and had comprehensive backups.

What I wasn't prepared for is that nothing I did at that point would resolve the errors that the reinstall was showing. I tried formatting the internal disk but you can't do that because recovery is booted using it. So I deleted the various volumes that were left over from my earlier install. That was a disaster. At that point, the SSD didn't even show up in the Big Sur installer. The computer was pretty much dead.

I did the same and had the same errors. But if you read the support document it says you should do the Erase Mac twice, and I repeated it and the install completes flawless.

 

[Lowhangers]

It's buggy for sure. But most people will not encounter this and Apple will certainly fix the bugs. It's not like they aren't aware of them--they must get hundreds of calls a day at this point.

My recent experience. I wanted to experiment with installing from recovery and trying (for the 10th time) to install to an external USB drive. I've tried this over and over and it just doesn't work on my M1 MacBook Air. Others have had success but I haven't been able to duplicate it. So, this document: reinstalling macOS on your M1 Mac seemed to imply that you could reset your password and reinstall. I tried it and it completely wiped my MacBook Air. I was prepared for this and had comprehensive backups.

What I wasn't prepared for is that nothing I did at that point would resolve the errors that the reinstall was showing. I tried formatting the internal disk but you can't do that because recovery is booted using it. So I deleted the various volumes that were left over from my earlier install. That was a disaster. At that point, the SSD didn't even show up in the Big Sur installer. The computer was pretty much dead. I probably could have recovered with the Configurator 2 solution but that was not appealing. Luckily I had made an bootable installer on a thumb driver earlier and that allowed me to erase and reinstall.

How are regular people going to figure this out. If you make a mistake following Apple's instructions, you trash your Mac with no easy way to recover. It is an awful situation that Apple needs to fix. You shouldn't have to be a computer expert to restore your Mac.

That page you linked to was interesting, but I don’t think it would have applied to me as I just couldn’t set up an account as it froze. When I forced a reboot, the account looked like it was there but no password would be accepted, no matter what.

I’m glad you had a bootable installer. 👍🏻😎

I’m half tempted to try the instructions on that page you linked to that says to use the terminal command to download Big Sur, in the hopes I’d get the version with the update. But I don’t want to take it out of the box as I sealed it and labeled it last night. I just don’t think it would work and it would be a huge pain in the ass to try it.

Apple needs to to a firmware update or something to fix this. Otherwise they are going to get more mac minis sent back to them.

 

[jdb8167]

I did the same and had the same errors. But if you read the support document it says you should do the Erase Mac twice, and I repeated it and the install completes flawless.

The second Erase Mac is referring to the dialog box accept button. I think I actually tried to do the resetpassword a second time and it said it couldn’t find an account or something like that.

If you have an M1 Mac, good backups, a thumb drive with a bootable installer, and a fair amount of time I would encourage you to try it out. If you do, I’d love to hear your assessment of whether or not this is something Apple needs to fix.

 

[Lowhangers]

My Mac is back!!!! Using the instructions here:

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, failed to personalize, or needs to be reinstalled.

support.apple.com

I was able to download via the terminal after following the other instructions. The install went beautifully!

Thanks so much for posting that link. I am now going to keep my Mac mini!!!

So good to see my Big Sur desktop again. Whew!!!! The nightmare from hell is over!!!!!

😎👍🏻😁

It’s definitely fixed in 11.1, the default version I had on the Mac mini was 11.0.

 

[Superhai]

The second Erase Mac is referring to the dialog box accept button. I think I actually tried to do the resetpassword a second time and it said it couldn’t find an account or something like that.

If you have an M1 Mac, good backups, a thumb drive with a bootable installer, and a fair amount of time I would encourage you to try it out. If you do, I’d love to hear your assessment of whether or not this is something Apple needs to fix.

I have two M1 and already gone through the procedure as on the support document, and it works fine. I don’t use a thumb drive just let it install over internet.

 

[DeadeyeM]

If you guys use Configuration utility to restore your mac does restore do clean version install or same version with Apple extra software crap get installed?

The way i'm doing on the Intel Mac's is. Recovery Mode > Delete all drives > create new drive > install OS

 

[CaPudge]

I had this problem with my M1 MBA as well and here's how I solved it.

- Logged into iCloud and remotely erased the MBA. <-seems to be the key
- Followed the prompts on the MBA erase, etc.
- Started install process
- Skipped opportunity to transfer from another machine
- Logged into my Apple account
- Used the default user name and account names

That was it.

 

[Artemis777]

My Mac is back!!!! Using the instructions here:

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, failed to personalize, or needs to be reinstalled.

support.apple.com

I was able to download via the terminal after following the other instructions. The install went beautifully!

Thanks so much for posting that link. I am now going to keep my Mac mini!!!

So good to see my Big Sur desktop again. Whew!!!! The nightmare from hell is over!!!!!

😎👍🏻😁

It’s definitely fixed in 11.1, the default version I had on the Mac mini was 11.0.

I tried this but after the second Erase my Mac disk is gone and I can’t select it when trying to reinstall macOS.... WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO???

 

[jdb8167]

I tried this but after the second Erase my Mac disk is gone and I can’t select it when trying to reinstall macOS.... WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO???

If you have a bootable installer or can make one on another Mac following these directions: How to create a bootable installer you can use Disk Utility to format the internal SSD and then do an install. If you can't make a bootable installer you will probably have to use Apple Configurator 2 to do a DFU update. That also requires another Mac. If you don't have another Mac then I don't know except to contact Apple Support.

Restore a Mac with Apple Configurator 2

Edit: You can try to format the internal SSD with Disk Utility from Recovery first, that didn't work for me but it is worth giving it a try.

 

[unemployedfatty]

I am experiencing this exact issue and it is beyond frustrating. I have tried reinstalling Big Sur like 4 times and it always gets stuck at the same step. I have tried removing the computer from Apple ID and iCloud. Nothing has worked. I, unfortunately don't have a second Macbook just lying around to use. So, I am thinking I am probably going to just return it and see if I can do an exchange.

 

[johnalan]

Surely this will be fixed in 11.2 and one should then be able to erase and install as we used to? (Disk utility + recovery)

 

[bsmr]

Surely this will be fixed in 11.2 and one should then be able to erase and install as we used to? (Disk utility + recovery)

Everyone thought, it will be solved with 11.1 - but it does not... So lets see if 11.2 will fix it.