Apple recently launched their new M1 Macs, which have been met with widespread acclaim for their impressive performance and energy efficiency. However, some users who have been restoring or reinstalling their software on these devices have encountered issues.
The issues arise when people attempt to reinstall or perform a restore before updating to macOS 11.0.1 Big Sur. Apple has now released detailed instructions on how you can fix this issue.
If you erased your Mac with Apple M1 chip before updating to macOS Big Sur 11.0.1, you might be unable to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery. A message might say “An error occurred while preparing the update. Failed to personalize the software update. Please try again.”
Use either of these solutions to reinstall macOS. You should then be able to use macOS Recovery as expected when reinstalling macOS in the future.
Understanding the Issue
The problem primarily affects users who have erased their M1 Mac’s hard drive before updating to macOS Big Sur 11.0.1. When they try to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery, they encounter an error message that reads, “An error occurred while preparing the update. Failed to personalize the software update. Please try again.” This issue can be particularly frustrating for users who rely on their Macs for work or personal use and need to get their systems up and running quickly.
Steps to Resolve the Issue
Apple has provided two solutions to help users resolve this issue and successfully reinstall macOS on their M1 Macs. Here are the steps you can follow:
1. Use a Second Mac and Apple Configurator 2: If you have access to another Mac, you can use Apple Configurator 2 to revive your M1 Mac. This process involves connecting the two Macs using a USB-C cable and following specific steps to restore the firmware and reinstall macOS. Detailed instructions for this method can be found on Apple’s support page.
2. Create a Bootable Installer: Another solution is to create a bootable installer for macOS Big Sur. This method requires a USB drive with at least 16GB of storage and a second Mac to download the macOS Big Sur installer. Once you have the installer, you can create a bootable USB drive and use it to reinstall macOS on your M1 Mac. Apple provides a step-by-step guide on how to create a bootable installer on their support page.
These solutions should help you get your M1 Mac back up and running. It’s important to note that once you have successfully reinstalled macOS, you should update to macOS Big Sur 11.0.1 to avoid encountering the same issue in the future.
Additional Tips and Considerations
While the solutions provided by Apple are effective, there are a few additional tips and considerations to keep in mind:
– Backup Your Data: Before attempting any major changes to your system, it’s always a good idea to back up your data. This ensures that you don’t lose any important files during the process.
– Stay Updated: Keeping your macOS updated to the latest version can help prevent similar issues in the future. Apple regularly releases updates that include bug fixes and improvements.
– Seek Professional Help: If you’re not comfortable performing these steps on your own, consider seeking help from an Apple Authorized Service Provider or visiting an Apple Store. They can assist you with the process and ensure that your Mac is restored correctly.
You can find out full instructions on how you can fix this issue on the new M1 powered Mac over at Apple at the link below.
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