The Apple Support Community will permanently close on November 20, 2026. Starting today, the site will no longer accept new posts and is available in a read-only state.

You can continue to find trusted guidance and support on the official Apple Support site.

We want to thank the community members who have contributed their time and expertise to help others with their Apple products.

sander70 Author

Level 1

10 points

macOS Monterey, error occurred before installation starts

I've downloaded the macOS Monterey installer en started it on my supported MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015). When the MacBook is preparing for the restart, the installer fails. See attached screenshot. I Have a 1 TB Solid State PCI-Express Drive HD (Samsung SSD 970 EVO 1TB) formatted as Apple_APFS. Anyone with an idea how to start this?

I've checked with Disk Utility and the HD is fine. Also booted in Safe Mode but same installer fail issue.

Posted on Oct 26, 2021 7:36 AM

Similar questions

8 replies

sander70 Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 28, 2021 6:24 AM in response to Owl-53

I've updated my Mac with the original SSD drive. Installed macOS Monterey on this drive to get the EFI firmware update and after that placed my Samsung SSD and installed macOS Monterey. Works great!

Level 10

123,799 points

Oct 26, 2021 8:47 AM in response to sander70

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253296956 - think the answer is there. Speak to maker of the SSD for EFI update

Level 10

123,799 points

Oct 27, 2021 2:20 PM in response to birchcape

The same answer applies

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253296956 - think the answer is there. Speak to maker of the SSD for EFI update

Level 10

123,799 points

Oct 28, 2021 6:33 AM in response to sander70

Ah - so in this Specific Case the issue was the After-Market SSD. as the source of the issue.

Good Work switching out and in the Original Apple SSD - Bravo :-)

sander70 Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 26, 2021 8:09 AM in response to sander70

I read on the Macrumors forum that its possibly an EFI update with Monterey that will only install if the drive is factory Apple. Any thoughts?

Level 10

123,799 points

Oct 26, 2021 8:11 AM in response to sander70

Question - aftermarket SSD ?

More Learned Contributors know more but maybe it comes into play ?

sander70 Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 26, 2021 8:24 AM in response to Owl-53

As is wrote: Samsung SSD 970 EVO 1TB, so yes, aftermarket.

Oct 27, 2021 1:11 PM in response to sander70

I have exactly same MacBook Pro 13" Retina (early 2015) but different SSD. I have Aura Pro X2 1TB drive.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

macOS Monterey, error occurred before installation starts

Welcome to Apple Support Community

A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.

Learn more