New (second hand) M1 Mac mini can't update from 12.1 beta

[richardallan]

Hi Everyone.

I have just received my new (second hand) M1 Mac mini.

Upon starting it up for the first time there seemed something a bit odd about it. Most things seem to work fine but there are a few quirks. Anyway, to cut a long story short, it's running Mac OS Monterey 12.1 Beta (21C5045a). Why you would sell a computer, second hand, running beta software without letting the buyer know, I have no idea.

Anyway, I would like to keep this. It's in great condition and I paid a really good price for it. I have done some searches about how to release this machine from the beta program in software update but none of this is available on mine. If I try to reinstall from Recovery mode - same thing. Will only reinstall the beta version. I'm sure there is a simple solution to this but I haven't been able to find it.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance...

 

[IngoX]

You can't see this option in System Preferences > Software update?

To restore Mac with Apple silicon to shipping software you need to use Apple Configurator 2 on a second Mac.

Bad manners when seller didn't at least tell you ?

 

[richardallan]

Thanks for your reply IngoX.

The System Preferences > Software Update option isn't available for some unknown reason.

I have had a look at the other link to restore the Mac and I will give that a go today. They have made it very difficult to do stuff like that these days! What if you lived out in the middle of nowhere & didn't have a second computer?

Anyway, thanks again for your help & I'll be sure to let the seller know what I think of them once I get this organised.

 

[IngoX]

The System Preferences > Software Update option isn't available for some unknown reason.

Perhaps because it wasn’t a public beta, maybe a developer beta or beta obtained in unofficial way.

They have made it very difficult to do stuff like that these days!

Sort of the same as when you sometimes only can restore an iPhone by putting it in DFU mode and connect it to iTunes.
The M1 is just a giant iPhone ?

 

[EugW]

Thanks for your reply IngoX.

The System Preferences > Software Update option isn't available for some unknown reason.

I have had a look at the other link to restore the Mac and I will give that a go today. They have made it very difficult to do stuff like that these days! What if you lived out in the middle of nowhere & didn't have a second computer?

I wonder if enrolling for a free developer account with your Apple ID would solve that problem.

Anyway, thanks again for your help & I'll be sure to let the seller know what I think of them once I get this organised.

Maybe s/he didn't know. I don't remember this being an issue in the past, pre-M1 and pre-T2. I could be mistaken though, since I haven't been on macOS betas for years.

 

[richardallan]

I have done the full restore thing and all went well. Just setting everything up now...