Set up new Mac from Time Machine backup, stuck logging in for first time

[mosh.jinton]

I recently bought a new 2021 MBP to replace another 2021 MBP as I realised I needed more RAM. The devices are identical and I wanted to carry over seamlessly so I ran a Time Machine backup of the old MBP and setup the new one from the backup as soon as I turned it on, which seemed to go fine, but when it comes to logging in, I enter my password and it gets stuck on the loading page (after accepting my password.) At this point it also shows a dialog with 'This mac can't connect to iCloud because of a problem with [iCloud account]', and the options to Open iCloud Preferences or Later, regardless of which I select nothing happens. I left the Mac at this loading stage overnight the first time it happened in case it was part of the initial setup but it didn't progress anywhere. I've tried Safe Mode but that didn't help. Any advice?

Edit: FIXED: I booted to Recovery, re-installed macOS, and after that I could log in fine.

 

[IngoX]

Maybe the TimeMachine backup was made with a more recent version of Monterey than the new MBP is shipped with? Try if you kan update with a temporary user account and then do a restore from your backup.

 

[mosh.jinton]

Maybe the TimeMachine backup was made with a more recent version of Monterey than the new MBP is shipped with? Try if you kan update with a temporary user account and then do a restore from your backup.

Yeah, it did prompt me to update to 12.1 before restoring, which I did. Is it possible to create a temporary user account if I can't login though?

 

[IngoX]

No sorry, didn't think that through... And apple silicon macs needs a boot-volume blessed by a valid user even to boot after initial setup... I imagine you willl have to go in to Recovery mode and do a reinstall, probably an erase and install and start initial setup again?

Maybee use your 90-day Apple support if you have the time and patience...