11.6 failed to personalize error

volk65 wrote:

11.6 failed to personalize error

Hello. I'm trying to update to 11.6 from 11.5.2 on an M1 iMac and having some issues. First, I have to mention that my internet connection is very slow (1Mb/s) and unreliable (satellite system, connection is lost when it rains). Nevertheless, I managed to download the update patch twice before but recieved "failed to personalize the software update" error at the end of both downloads. Now I'm trying to download it a third time. My questions are:

1) I'm hoping that this is an unreliable connection/busy Apple server issue. If so, do I need to clear a download cache or something before starting a new download?

2) Software Update reports that the download size is 3.54GB. Is it normal on an M1 iMac?

3) I've also found a direct link to full installer of 11.6. It's thankfully resumable but its size is more than 12GB. If I download and install this, will it be an update or will it be a clean install, deleting all my applications?

Thank you in advance.

If you get a personalization error when reinstalling macOS on your Mac with Apple M1 chip

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211983

If successful in getting the Full Installer of 11.6 - option to Create a Bootable Installer

The below is an option But - will wipe the entire drive and all content - there are not do overs - period.

To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer. This will have to be performed from a Qualifying Computer to run the version of macOS to be made on the Bootable Installer. Example : Bootable Installer of Big Sur would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Big Sur.

Once that is done read on for preparing the Destination computer  >> Special Notation - works on Intel Based Apple Computers & on Apple Silicon M1 CPU

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 

1 - Shutdown computer and disconnect all external drive Except the newly created Bootable Installer.

2- Restart and immediately hold the OPTION key until the Startup Manager appears and choose the USB Drive. 

3 - It will present options >> Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Drives. 

4 - Choose the Upper Most Drive ( not the volumes indented and list below ).

5 - The drive normally is called Apple Media or Apple SSD - that is the drive to Erase and format as APFS with the GUID Partition Map. 

6 - Once that is done >> backup out of Disk Utilities and choose install macOS. 

7 - Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time. 

8 - Upon a final reboot - Setup Assist will present with the newer version of macOS.

All right 25th of the month an option.

This is the newest 24" M1 unit right ? If the Full installer is available but just checked as writing this reply, from Canada here, Apple Apps Store is still only offering the Full Installer of 11.5.2.

Running with such a slow Internet Connect is going to be a challenge at best if not impossible IMHO. Is there not other option available to connect to Internet even a friend or some other means ??

As @leroydouglas has shared the link for possible solution

Good news !!