Trying to install MacOS from recovery

[DMGuy]

Hello all. I’m trying to install a fresh copy of MacOS from recovery mode. I’m being prevented by “The recovery server could not be contacted.” This is from recovery mode with a blank SSD. Thanks.

 

[Fishrrman]

If you expect to get help, you better give some more information:
WHAT MAC do you have?
WHAT YEAR was it made?
WHAT VERSION of the OS are you trying to install?

 

[DMGuy]

If you expect to get help, you better give some more information:
WHAT MAC do you have?
WHAT YEAR was it made?
WHAT VERSION of the OS are you trying to install?

2016 MBP with Catalina.

 

[Fishrrman]

Everymac.com says the 2016 MBP came with OS 10.12 pre-installed and can go up to OS 12 Monterey.

If there's nothing on the SSD, and you MUST have Catalina, you're going to need to make a USB flash drive installer (on another Mac). Then boot the 2016 from the flash drive and install that way.

If it doesn't have to be Catalina, you can do this:
1. Boot to INTERNET recovery (NOT the same as "the recovery partition")
Command-OPTION-R
at boot.

You'll need your wifi password.
Be patient as the globe spins and the utilities load.

2. When the utilities are loaded, open disk utility.

3. VERY IMPORTANT STEP: go to the view menu and choose "show all devices".

4. Look at "the list on the left". The topmost item should be the physical drive inside. Click on it to select it, then click "erase".

5. Erase to "APFS, GUID partition format".

6. When the erase is done, quit disk utility and open the OS installer.

7. Start clicking through. The Mac will restart one or more times, and the screen will go dark for a minute or more, with no other indication of activity.
BE PATIENT.

8. When the install is done, you should see the initial setup screen (choose your language). At this point you can either click through and set up a brand-new account, OR, have your backup drive connected and use setup assistant to move things over when it asks.

Good luck.

 

[DMGuy]

Everymac.com says the 2016 MBP came with OS 10.12 pre-installed and can go up to OS 12 Monterey.

If there's nothing on the SSD, and you MUST have Catalina, you're going to need to make a USB flash drive installer (on another Mac). Then boot the 2016 from the flash drive and install that way.

If it doesn't have to be Catalina, you can do this:
1. Boot to INTERNET recovery (NOT the same as "the recovery partition")
Command-OPTION-R
at boot.

You'll need your wifi password.
Be patient as the globe spins and the utilities load.

2. When the utilities are loaded, open disk utility.

3. VERY IMPORTANT STEP: go to the view menu and choose "show all devices".

4. Look at "the list on the left". The topmost item should be the physical drive inside. Click on it to select it, then click "erase".

5. Erase to "APFS, GUID partition format".

6. When the erase is done, quit disk utility and open the OS installer.

7. Start clicking through. The Mac will restart one or more times, and the screen will go dark for a minute or more, with no other indication of activity.
BE PATIENT.

8. When the install is done, you should see the initial setup screen (choose your language). At this point you can either click through and set up a brand-new account, OR, have your backup drive connected and use setup assistant to move things over when it asks.

Good luck.

Thanks for the info. 👍