Big Sur killed my 2019 MacBook Air

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Level 1

8 points

Big Sur killed my 2019 MacBook Air

long story shorter: Big Sur froze my MacBook Air and would not finish loading. Had to wipe my disk in recovery mode (per apple support) and now I’m locked out completely. The only thing it can do is something called internet recovery mode - but it won’t connect. I’ve tried 10x on different WiFis (normal, hot spot, typing in the ID on the router) every time i get this:

a globe with an exclamation point

support.apple.com/Mac/startup

-1008F

I’ve done everything on the website linked, looked up the code. Nothing works. I’m terrified that my Mac is gone forever and i cannot lose it.

Posted on Aug 24, 2021 6:08 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

jeffreythefrog

Level 6

14,106 points

Aug 24, 2021 6:21 AM in response to evulcano

error -1008F is telling you that you are trying recovery with insufficient or no internet connection. you should connect the mac to your router with a wired ethernet connection. if ethernet is not possible, move the mac as close as you can to the router and also temporarily disconnect all of your other devices from the wi-fi. you want as much bandwidth as possible running to the mac in recovery mode.

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Answer 2

Owl-53

Level 10

102,415 points

Aug 24, 2021 7:09 AM in response to evulcano

Do you have access to another Apple Computer. Does that computer Qualify to Run the version of macOS the problematic computer can installed with ?? Being a MBA 2019 image it was Catalina.

Please advise and can take this further with this info in hand.

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Answer 3

Owl-53

Level 10

102,415 points

Aug 24, 2021 7:29 AM in response to evulcano

Any additional devices sharing the Bandwidth on the Router is taking it away from the download process.

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Answer 4

evulcano Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 24, 2021 6:59 AM in response to jeffreythefrog

Thanks for the tip! I disconnected everything and put the laptop right next to the router. Unfortunately, it still is giving me the same error message.

is this something that is fixable? Should i take it in for service? Or am i doomed.

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Answer 5

Aug 24, 2021 7:28 AM in response to evulcano

you're welcome. :) and, YES, leave your other devices disconnected during the upgrade. and if possible, do not use the mac during the process either.

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Answer 6

evulcano Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 24, 2021 7:26 AM in response to jeffreythefrog

I take that back - i realized my phone did not disconnect from the internet so i did that and tried again and it worked!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH. I am in recovery mode now reinstalling the OS. Estimated time is 1.5 hours. Should i stay disconnected on my other devices until that is done or am i safe to reconnect

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Big Sur killed my 2019 MacBook Air

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