The fix seems no better than the problem.. That assumes you own a 2nd Mac but it could be a replacement
and selling the old one
and selling the old one
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Restoring Apple Silicon M1 Macs Leading to macOS Installation Errors
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Apparently the new ARM Macs use ipsw files to restore, just like iOS devices. Interesting.
ipsw.me
This is going to be an interesting next few weeks as we learn all about how the platform works.
This worries me a bit, in that I wonder if Apple is going to do signing on these releases, and stop signing earlier releases so we can't downgrade easily. Being able to downgrade MacOS is super-important for some users. It's one of the few things I hate about iOS; for example I wish I could put iOS 6 on my old iPhone 5 for nostalgic reasons but I can't because Apple is stubborn.
Choose an IPSW for the Developer Transition Kit / IPSW Downloads
Download macOS IPSW files for Developer Transition Kit
ipsw.me
This is going to be an interesting next few weeks as we learn all about how the platform works.
This worries me a bit, in that I wonder if Apple is going to do signing on these releases, and stop signing earlier releases so we can't downgrade easily. Being able to downgrade MacOS is super-important for some users. It's one of the few things I hate about iOS; for example I wish I could put iOS 6 on my old iPhone 5 for nostalgic reasons but I can't because Apple is stubborn.
EDIT: if anyone runs into this issue - when following the linked instructions, make sure that your Mac is on prior to holding down the power button and other keys (right shift, left control and left option). If your Mac is off when you try to follow the instructions, it will not be put into DFU mode and these instructions will not work.
Thank you for posting this. I have run into the same problem and just found the thread referenced in the article prior to seeing it. Updated my older Mac now to try and fix this problem!
Also some folks are asking why someone would restore. I set up as new in the beginning but realized I would prefer to move over all my apps and documents instead of doing it manually. Migration assistant also wasn’t seeming to work after setting up the Mac, so I decided to restore to set up as new and am now in this predicament.
Thank you for posting this. I have run into the same problem and just found the thread referenced in the article prior to seeing it. Updated my older Mac now to try and fix this problem!
Also some folks are asking why someone would restore. I set up as new in the beginning but realized I would prefer to move over all my apps and documents instead of doing it manually. Migration assistant also wasn’t seeming to work after setting up the Mac, so I decided to restore to set up as new and am now in this predicament.
Last edited:
Why do some people complain about these people who restore? Just because YOU wouldn’t do it, and just because there are other, probably better ways something can be done doesn’t remove the FACT that people operate in ways that may be different from you. Calling out those people as “wrong” or “why would they do that when they can just uninstall” does not prove your superior intellect, it simply proves you are short in EMPATHY, which btw - understanding this concept is foundational for any company building products for people as well as a foundational concept for any person dealing with any other human in any positive way.
It's too bad that Apple doesn't provide a simple installer tool to download the OS of your choice and create a USB bootable installer.
Microsoft has been doing that for Win10 for like 5 years now and it's painless to install or reinstall.
Microsoft has been doing that for Win10 for like 5 years now and it's painless to install or reinstall.
Apparently the new ARM Macs use ipsw files to restore, just like iOS devices. Interesting.
Choose an IPSW for the Developer Transition Kit / IPSW Downloads
Download macOS IPSW files for Developer Transition Kit
This is going to be an interesting next few weeks as we learn all about how the platform works.
This worries me a bit, in that I wonder if Apple is going to do signing on these releases, and stop signing earlier releases so we can't downgrade easily. Being able to downgrade MacOS is super-important for some users.
Ya, but now i see a convergence on iOS and Mac.. with one problem on one, comes the other most likely.
A USB installer will not fix this particular issue. The only way to fix is a AC2 Restore. If you would like to learn more about the new Mac Restore Process, I wrote an article on it.
How to Reinstall macOS on your Apple Silicon M1 Mac. Everything you Need to Know
macOS recovery and reinstall has changed on Apple Silicon. I will show you everything you need to know about all the changes! + MORE!
mrmacintosh.com
Speaking of Apple Configurator 2, I wonder why Apple doesn't create an iOS version of the app or have some other method to help users get out of these types of situations where the firmware/T2 chip needs to be restored. Not everyone has a second Mac, but I'd say most Mac users have an iPhone or iPad.
The very same article you wrote says that you can boot from a USB installer? I'm confused.A USB installer will not fix this particular issue. The only way to fix is a AC2 Restore. If you would like to learn more about the new Mac Restore Process, I wrote an article on it.
How to Reinstall macOS on your Apple Silicon M1 Mac. Everything you Need to Know
macOS recovery and reinstall has changed on Apple Silicon. I will show you everything you need to know about all the changes! + MORE!
I wonder if this is in part the issue Big Sur had up until recently where you weren’t able to create bootable backups without jumping through hoops.
Apple has supplied a tool for this called 'createinstallmedia' for a number of years.
It seems strange that it'd let you start this restore - I'd be extremely wary of restoring across two different architectures. The error, for me, is that it let the user start it, not necessarily that it failed.
"Because I don't need any of the included software, it is always my procedure to restore the operating system"
LOL wtf
Seriously, what a bizarre MO.
LOL wtf
Seriously, what a bizarre MO.
This is why patience is a benefit when deciding whether or not to buy a 1st generation product.
Of course it is valid. Are you suggesting you should not be able to reinstall macOS on your M1 laptop?
Also - apologize if this is a dumb question - now that I have to go through this process, is there any benefit to instead returning and repurchasing a new computer? I assume there’s no downside to doing this workaround to restoring? Just figured i might check with experts here before going through it, as my local store still has stock of the model i have
I can tell the original Macintosh seasoned user base and the younger I grew up with IOS crowd. They don't understand why people want to have a system build to meet there technical needs.
Deleting apps leaves behind DLL files and System Registry entries... duhhhhhh.
lol
lol
These people never think about anyone other than themselves. Pure entitlement.
A seasoned user would look before leaping when performing this maneuver on new silicon like this.
Apple said u unlike ios devices u can still roll back to prior versions of macosApparently the new ARM Macs use ipsw files to restore, just like iOS devices. Interesting.
Choose an IPSW for the Developer Transition Kit / IPSW Downloads
Download macOS IPSW files for Developer Transition Kit
This is going to be an interesting next few weeks as we learn all about how the platform works.
This worries me a bit, in that I wonder if Apple is going to do signing on these releases, and stop signing earlier releases so we can't downgrade easily. Being able to downgrade MacOS is super-important for some users. It's one of the few things I hate about iOS; for example I wish I could put iOS 6 on my old iPhone 5 for nostalgic reasons but I can't because Apple is stubborn.
While I fully agree with you that it is excessive, I will say this: you should be able to do what you want with your computer, and restoring it is one of those things.
I’m not sure why you would restore a brand new system upon receiving it. That’s just so bizarre to me! You could just remove iMovie or GarageBand and be good to go.
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: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
