Restoring Apple Silicon M1 Macs Leading to macOS Installation Errors

[Pedram Haghzaban]

Well here is my story: On my 2019 MBP I had Big Sur Beta installed. The plan is to trade in that with the new MBP I got. So what I did was used the migration assistant. In the end I noticed that some of the apps such as xcode doesn't install. So I thought the issue might be due to using migration and tranfering data to M1 chip. So I decided to factory reset and erased the drive according to Apple Article. But apperntly the option to reinstall the Big Sur Beta doesn't work. Because it tells you "Installation requires downloading important content. That content cannot be downloaded at this time. Please try again late". Now I removed the beta profile from old mac and was able to reinstall since the reinstallation option is to reinstall Big Sur and not the beta version. Contacted apple and so far they have not been able to figure out a solution.

 

[Xade]

It's an apple with boobs.

He’s referring to the new apple smart breast implants rumored to be released early 2021

iBoobs?

 

[amartinez1660]

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.

Good luck there man.
Annoying thing to be going through with such an amazing opening couple of days.

This, by the way, will definitely won’t stop me from wanting an M1 soon. Also looks like how the future is actually going to be.

 

[patent10021]

And here we go....

 

[eno12]

People blaming first gen products are probably off on the wrong track.

It’s a big sur problem and likely not unique to the M1 macs.

It’s why you should avoid new Apple OS releases on mission critical machines.

Yup. This is 100% a Big Sur bug. I went to wipe and reinstall to reformat as APFS case-sensitive (are we really by default installing a case-insensitive volume-- this isn't winbloze) and hit this issue immediately. Big Sur is another buggy .0 release from Apple. Their hardware is awesome but their software at version x.0 has always a problem. Nothing beats the crap that was 10.11. The rewrote IOUSBFamily, made it closed-source (previously was open), and totally screwed up the stack outside of basic HID. It took them at least a major version to fix that crap and it still has issues. To make matters worse I can't even see the code to see what they could have messed up.

 

[eno12]

Because some people are ridiculously anal-retentive about this kind of stuff and this is what happens. It’s still on Apple to fix it, since bricked Macs are no good regardless of how they got that way.

Some of us just want a usable filesystem. Apple by default uses a case-insensitive filesystem which is a pia for development. I just want to change it to case-sensitive. Apple needs to fix this ASAP.

 

[drumcat]

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.

If you think the grass is greener, and you do it, you'll be screaming to come back. If you hate "babysitting", don't upgrade right away!

 

[ani4ani]

I like Windows and macOS, but I think you'll be babysitting Windows more, and the software quality isn't any better. Forced updates once a month, the UI isn't consistent system wide, there are still two different control panels, BIOS updates, driver updates, etc. There are two "major" updates every year, but you might not get it right away when it's released. One computer could get it right away, but another one might not get it until several months later. The Windows 10 October 2018 update deleted files for some users, and it happened again earlier this year.

I have a home built Windows gaming PC that is 3 years old and it has been on Windows 10 since the get go, as well as a Surface Pro 6. I don’t baby sit either; never had a single issue (that I have had any awareness of). Both systems are set to auto update which they have done without issue. The only driver I manually update is the AMD drivers for the GPU which I do each time of a new release? ( I never use beta software). I have never had any need to touch the BIOS (why does anyone need to?). I have used every version of Windows since 3 (home built gaming PCs and work laptops for 40 years)

I won’t comment on MacOS as it‘s 15 years since I used it, but if it is any more reliable than either of my Windows PC’s then it has to be flawless. Reading these forums, that doesn’t seem to be the case and hasn‘t been for a long time.

There are 20 times more Windows systems covering millions of configurations, so any drama is going to be magnified somewhat.

Like you say, ”the software quality is no better,” then by implication, in my opinion it is no worse.

 

[Kung gu]

Well here is my story: On my 2019 MBP I had Big Sur Beta installed. The plan is to trade in that with the new MBP I got. So what I did was used the migration assistant. In the end I noticed that some of the apps such as xcode doesn't install. So I thought the issue might be due to using migration and tranfering data to M1 chip. So I decided to factory reset and erased the drive according to Apple Article. But apperntly the option to reinstall the Big Sur Beta doesn't work. Because it tells you "Installation requires downloading important content. That content cannot be downloaded at this time. Please try again late". Now I removed the beta profile from old mac and was able to reinstall since the reinstallation option is to reinstall Big Sur and not the beta version. Contacted apple and so far they have not been able to figure out a solution.

it probably best not transfer stuff from intel macs to m1 macs. return that macbook m1 to apple, u have to go to a apple store

 

[Maconplasma]

Windows is cool...

Well there's a first for everything. First time in my entire life I ever saw or heard anyone state that Windows is cool.

 

[alien3dx]

..

my imac 2017 die past 2 days.

Now move back to windows.huawei d15 ryzen)

1. I'm freakin annoy finder. typing full address much easier and faster.
2. Registery is all those config file which pretty good one place.
3. mac need a lot of ram.

** im not sure either m1 will help me in the future but will wait m2 rather take risk again.

 

[Baymowe335]

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

You’re just so much smarter than everyone buying these machines.

 

[eno12]

my imac 2017 die past 2 days.

Now move back to windows.huawei d15 ryzen)

1. I'm freakin annoy finder. typing full address much easier and faster.
2. Registery is all those config file which pretty good one place.
3. mac need a lot of ram.

** im not sure either m1 will help me in the future but will wait m2 rather take risk again.

1) This is a matter of preference. To me the Finder has, and always will be, far superior to the crap Microsoft has. It is basically IE as a file finder. UGH. If you really want to use a path to open a folder you go to the Finder and type Command-G and type the UNIX-style path name and hit enter.

2) The registry is the biggest POS in software history. It is a big mess. Configuration files per application make a lot of sense. This is how every other piece of software operated. Microsoft is the outlier.

3) ???? Are you joking? I don't even know how to respond to that.

 

[macjai]

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.

Can you give a us more detail about how to get into DFU mode? I'm using the Macbook Air M1.

I "think" I'm following the instructions correctly but I can't seem to get it to work at all.

Much appreciated.

 

[eno12]

Well there's a first for everything. First time in my entire life I ever saw or heard anyone state that Windows is cool.

No kidding. Most people I know tolerate Windows and that is about it. Every time I have to use Windows for something I I have to resist the urge to wipe the SSD/HDD and install Ubuntu.

 

[HiVolt]

Apple has supplied a tool for this called 'createinstallmedia' for a number of years.

Yeah but it's a command line tool and not everyone wants to venture into Terminal. And then you still have to get the stupid App Store to LET you download it. Right now on my Mac Mini 2018, upgraded to Big Sur, if I am on the App Store, and I search for Catalina or Mojave (Both supported), it finds nothing. They are now effectively locking you out from downgrading if you don't have the install media created previously.

Why can't they just provide a GUI version in System Preferences? So you can install every OS your Mac supports at the click of a button.

I've had issues with Internet Restore too on some Macs.

 

[yurc]

The rewrote IOUSBFamily, made it closed-source (previously was open)

Even the previous IOUSBFamily which is still open, it still have quirks. Some controller and drivers for controlling tangent panels and some usb control panels refuse to works. Those hardware run fine on Windows and older version of OSX (El Capitan), but not in recent release (Mojave).

I bet Big Sur is same, and more worst since it's now closed.

 

[Nrwrit3r]

Can you give a us more detail about how to get into DFU mode? I'm using the Macbook Air M1.

I "think" I'm following the instructions correctly but I can't seem to get it to work at all.

Much appreciated.

First hold power button to completely shut off Mac. Then hold power button (only power button) as it turns on, keep holding until it says something like “other settings” loading (gets you to disk utility and stuff). Once there, *then* follow the instructions on the website Apple has to hold the power button along with the other ones to get it into DFU. it’s very unintuitive!

 

[now i see it]

not surprising

 

[Stella]

1) This is a matter of preference. To me the Finder has, and always will be, far superior to the crap Microsoft has. It is basically IE as a file finder. UGH. If you really want to use a path to open a folder you go to the Finder and type Command-G and type the UNIX-style path name and hit enter.

2) The registry is the biggest POS in software history. It is a big mess. Configuration files per application make a lot of sense. This is how every other piece of software operated. Microsoft is the outlier.

3) ???? Are you joking? I don't even know how to respond to that.

Windows 10 actually has config
Files per application. You find these in the appdata directory structure in the home directory.

a lot of apps no longer use the registry.

 

[kaschool]

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?

Why are you and multiple other commenters harping on the fact that the OP did a restore vs deleting the apps?? That’s not relevant. That’s what they chose to do or like to do. What’s important is that if you ever need to restore MacOS on an M1 Mac you are screwed as it does not work. That is what the problem is about...

 

[alien3dx]

1) This is a matter of preference. To me the Finder has, and always will be, far superior to the crap Microsoft has. It is basically IE as a file finder. UGH. If you really want to use a path to open a folder you go to the Finder and type Command-G and type the UNIX-style path name and hit enter.

2) The registry is the biggest POS in software history. It is a big mess. Configuration files per application make a lot of sense. This is how every other piece of software operated. Microsoft is the outlier.

3) ???? Are you joking? I don't even know how to respond to that.

1. command g ? I see nothing. the last thing people advise me something show in the bottom and I have to click click. The most reason if one can be used I don't need to open multiple windows.

2. read number 3

3. Yes I'm not totally joking, at first i thought apple like normal Linux system which not memory hunger.

Chronology purchase apple product

1. mac mini 4GB - pretty dam slow, ram always in red or consider a lot of compress data.
2. bought iMac 2017 base line 8 GB(RIP) - still the same effect
3. bought second MacBook 2011 4GB and max it up 16 GB - good but processor is too old , still good to bring to customer. The reason i bought Huawei d15 Ryzen because the MacBook cannot open 1XX mb pdf and i have to re-check with iPad mini 2019 which the part i need to upload to iCloud first(2012 MacBook above only can share using air drop).

** still freakin` messy since iPad mini 2019 cannot check file from USB even thou I bought apple camera kit usb.

** I maybe go to second version arm if really really good but really maybe after 3 years this laptop. For now, consider not.

 

[kaschool]

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.

I’ve tried everything to get it into DFU mode (you instructions and the apple silicon Mac instructions ) and cannot get it to. So the apple configuratator 2 method is not working for me. Spent 6 hrs on this problem so far. Very frustrating.

 

[alien3dx]

Yeah but it's a command line tool and not everyone wants to venture into Terminal. And then you still have to get the stupid App Store to LET you download it. Right now on my Mac Mini 2018, upgraded to Big Sur, if I am on the App Store, and I search for Catalina or Mojave (Both supported), it finds nothing. They are now effectively locking you out from downgrading if you don't have the install media created previously.

Why can't they just provide a GUI version in System Preferences? So you can install every OS your Mac supports at the click of a button.

I've had issues with Internet Restore too on some Macs.

yeah. on windows i rarely using the dos command prompt while in mac, terminal much faster then finder. .When some youtuber famous show he has tips on apple product and have to use terminal. For normal people would said, wow a hacker.

 

[Nrwrit3r]

I’ve tried everything to get it into DFU mode (you instructions and the apple silicon Mac instructions ) and cannot get it to. So the apple configuratator 2 method is not working for me. Spent 6 hrs on this problem so far. Very frustrating.

Sorry to hear - did you see my other post and try this?

First hold power button to completely shut off Mac. Then hold power button (only power button) as it turns on, keep holding until it says something like “other settings” loading (gets you to disk utility and stuff). Once there, *then* follow the instructions on the website Apple has to hold the power button along with the other ones to get it into DFU. it’s very unintuitive!