M1 Mac Question

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Fidelio_1980 Author

Level 1

4 points

M1 Mac Question

Hi Everybody!

Currently I own an Intel based Mac and will at some point in the future be upgrading to an M1 Mac

Usually when I want to do a clean install on my Mac I erase the drive either using the eraseDisk command in Terminal or sometimes I just erase the disk at the top level in Disk Utility and then I reinstall Mac using a USB installer method.

My question is if I was to erase an M1 Mac using the methods I have described above and then tired to boot into recovery mode from a USB installer would that work or would I have to revive the M1 Mac using Apple Configurator and DFU mode.

I am also aware of the method that apple recommends to do an erase and restore of an M1 Mac but I just wanted to know what would happen if I erased the drive via terminal or via Disk utility at the top level of the disk.

I hope this makes sense, if you would like me to elaborate more on anything then please do not hesitate to contact me and I look forward to your reply

Stay safe and well

Posted on Jul 11, 2021 4:15 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 11, 2021 7:20 AM in response to Fidelio_1980

The following apply to the M1 Macs:

Startup security in macOS - Apple Support

Boot process for a Mac with Apple silicon - Apple Support

Boot modes for a Mac with Apple silicon - Apple Support

The first two provide an explanation as to why there are the modes in the third.

And one other about the security policy on M1 Macs:

Startup Disk security policy control for a Mac with Apple silicon - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Owl-53

Level 10

102,133 points

Jul 11, 2021 4:29 AM in response to Fidelio_1980

Extra Special Notation regarding the Touch ID equipped Apple Computer. About Startup Security Utility and Must Enable from Recovery Mode the ability to boot from External Drive Before Attempting

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Answer 3

keg55

Level 6

11,755 points

Jul 11, 2021 8:24 AM in response to Fidelio_1980

Apple Configurator 2 really only needs to be used when you can not boot your Mac or get into Recovery OS. In other words, it's not usable.

The video below from MrMacintosh.com should be useful to you. He has a lot of good videos and information about M1s.

Reinstall macOS on a M1 iMac 3 different ways

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Answer 4

etresoft

Level 9

56,182 points

Jul 11, 2021 7:59 AM in response to Fidelio_1980

If you purchase a new M1, there will be no need to ever do an erase and install. The computer will come already setup like that. Furthermore, with modern versions of macOS, there is no need to ever boot from a USB. All 3rd party files would be on the "Data" volume. You can just boot into recovery, erase the hard drive, and reinstall.

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