Restoring Apple Silicon M1 Macs Leading to macOS Installation Errors

[MacRumors]

Several customers who purchased a new Mac with an M1 Apple Silicon app have discovered an issue when attempting to restore the machine, which leads to it becoming non-functional and stuck on error screen that says "An error occurred preparing the update. Failed to personalize the software update."

There are at least three threads on the MacRumors forums outlining the issue and warning against restoring one of the new machines. MacRumors reader RyanFlynn describes the problem:

I just received my M1 MacBook Pro and Macbook Air. Because I don't need any of the included software, it is always my procedure to restore the operating system without things like garage band and iMovie.

during the install process, an error occurs relating to "customizing the system update"

after a couple hours on the phone with Apple care, they told me that 75 other people have called in with this issue, and They have no work around. I was instructed to return my systems, or wait for a fix. Without having an operating system running, there is no way for me to install any future updates, so these computers are effectively bricked.

While Apple Support wasn't able to provide RyanFlynn with a reliable fix for the problem, other MacRumors readers have discovered a solution that appears to work.

Apple has instructions on using Configurator 2 and a secondary Mac to revive or restore an Apple Silicon Mac that has become unresponsive. This method requires the newest version of Apple Configurator 2, a functional Mac, and an appropriate cable to connect the two Macs.

Restoring in this way restores the firmware, updates recoveryOS to the latest version, and erases and installs the latest version of macOS on internal storage, thereby erasing all data. This method was successful for two MacRumors readers who had the recovery problem.

Apple may have a fix coming for this issue in the future, but for now it's best to avoid restoring an Apple Silicon Mac. For those that have already done so and are running into trouble, the Apple Configurator solution may be worth trying.

Article Link: Restoring Apple Silicon M1 Macs Leading to macOS Installation Errors

 

[SuprUsrStan]

I ran into the problem a few times. I was able to get by the issue by going to show all devices and erase and formatting the drive Macintosh HD as apfs and then reinstalling the OS. The time that it finally worked, I also had it plugged into the AC adapter. It's strange and took me several times but it finally went through.

 

[UK-MacAddict]

Why you don't buy first gen Apple products. I'll wait for a couple of years before jumping to Apple Silicone.

 

[SeattleMoose]

Think I'll wait so these "birth pangs" can be worked out.

Update: Ordered M1 Mac Mini (16GB/512GB) to be delivered by Christmas. Hoping between now and then things get worked out.

 

[Briskit]

Another reason why First Gen products are risky...

 

[loekf]

Some things I dont understand. You can remove apps like iMovie and GarageBand and just put the additional stuff into a folder. Why would you restore the OS ?

 

[dantracht]

Yikes. Supplemental update incoming?

 

[BootLoxes]

Couldnt you just uninstall the apps you need? Resorting to a restore right out of the gate seems a bit excessive.

 

[MauiPa]

Sounds like an invalid procedure to begin with. I would never attempt that. 1). Just delete the apps you don’t want. Makes sense, right. 2) restoring from a non m1 image, what does that even mean?

 

[seble]

‘Personalize the software’? That sounds like an XP style error message to me!

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Cool. A computer than can’t restore. Not quite as impressive as an update that bricks a homepod, but still impressive nonetheless. Keep it up, Apple.

 

[zorinlynx]

Is it possible to make a USB installer for Big Sur and boot from that to reinstall?

I'm actually really curious how different the ARM Macs are when it comes to restoring/reinstalling/cloning/etc.

 

[jlocker]

Thank you all you early hardware adopters for making my life easy for the next 2 years.

 

[kcslc]

Why you don't buy first gen Apple products. I'll wait for a couple of years before jumping to Apple Silicone.

Any hidden bloat ware, files, etc that people don’t want mucking up their pristine new machines. Maybe it’s not necessary anymore, but it’s something I used to do all the time. Until I became too impatient with the process and just figured. Meh. I’ll just deal.

 

[DHagan4755]

I understand the whole desire to wipe the new Mac & "start clean" but you can delete those stock apps from Launch Pad without having to go through that hassle.

Meanwhile Apple will definitely improve the restoration process.

 

[wilhoitm]

Why would you need to restore already? The machine has only been out for 1 day! Did you try to format your root drive? User error!

 

[northernmunky]

Yeah, I really don't get why you'd restore the OS out of the box. AppCleaner is my uninstaller of choice, and its free.

 

[dannyyankou]

I feel like there are some things Apple doesn’t even test these days

 

[acidfast7_redux]

‘Personalize the software’? That sounds like an XP style error message to me!

It's always those damn Yanks! It they stayed colonists and kept that "s", we'd all be safer.

 

[4jasontv]

So many grasshoppers laughing at ants.

 

[FlyMan07]

Why you don't buy first gen Apple products. I'll wait for a couple of years before jumping to Apple Silicone.

What is Apple Silicone?

 

[nezr]

I ALWAYS setup as new. iCloud data pulls automatically. All other apps are fresh install.

 

[Duncan-UK]

Why you don't buy first gen Apple products. I'll wait for a couple of years before jumping to Apple Silicone.

That’s a very glib trope. It isn’t the 1990s anymore.

 

[blackcrayon]

Why would you need to restore already? The machine has only been out for 1 day! Did you try to format your root drive? User error!

I don't know why they were doing it, but this was my plan- to change the disk configuration (on a mini).

Another reason why First Gen products are risky...

I doubt this is a permanent hardware issue. I'm not sure this makes anything "risky", like trying to upgrade the RAM with a soldering iron...

 

[swingerofbirch]

I just said to someone today: Apple has one of the most powerful personal computers starting at $899 (EDU pricing), and yet I'm still probably going to move to Windows because the software quality has gotten so much worse over time. But then I thought: Well maybe the M1 Macs will be different! And then I see this. And honestly I have no idea what Windows is like. I probably last used it in the year 2000. Just tired of having to babysit my Apple devices.