Can't reinstall macos Big Sur after I wiped the disk clean

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Can't reinstall macos Big Sur after I wiped the disk clean

Hi, I'm giving my 2020 Macbook pro (13 inch with M1 chip) to a family member, so I attempted to follow directions to erase everything on it and start fresh.

I think everything is erased. But when I got to the step to reinstall the operating system ( MacOS Big Sur), II click on the "install" choice, select "agree" to the license terms. Then I get the question "Select the disk where you want to install macOS. There aren't any choices! What can I do.

I've already searched in this community forum and saw someone gave instructions to add APFS volume to container. I attempted this but it failed. I went into disk utility, under the main APP6SSD SM024G Media, I wasn't allowed to partition anything. I saw "add volume" and selected the container under "Disk 5" and tried to add a volume there. I selected format "APfS" (the first on the list). It failed.

What can I do to reinstall MacOS Big Sur? So far the instructions I've tried to follow for all of this haven't fit what's actually on my computer. So I end up guessing what to click on - something that seems close. I looked all over for instructions that would match my computer but couldn't find them.

Thanks in advance!

MacBook Pro (2020 and later)

Posted on Jun 4, 2022 9:21 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 4, 2022 12:23 PM in response to Connirae

You are allowed to re-install the ORIGINAL, 'ships in the box' version of MacOS after a deep erase. Then the new owner sets it up, provides a fresh Apple-ID, and can upgrade to a later version if desired. All Upgraded versions of MacOS are tagged with the Apple-ID of the person who downloaded them, so do not do this upgrade using your own Apple-ID unless you are willing to turn over your password as well.

You may need to re-initialze your boot disk in Disk Utility. The ERASE function does this as a side-effect of the ERASE.

Be sure to select the DRIVE by its immutable manufacturer-given device-name, NOT Macintosh_HD or any other user-created name. if not visible, be sure to select "show all devices".

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Answer 2

Jun 5, 2022 7:02 AM in response to Connirae

MacOS Base System of size about 1000 MB is Internet Recovery itself, in the computer's ROM. That is NOT where you can install.

Apple SSD AP2048K media is your boot drive. It shows that it is formatted APFS and has an APFS Container Disk.

From the article:

If the installer doesn't see your disk, or it says that it can't install on your computer or volume, you might need to erase your disk first.

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Answer 3

Connirae Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 4, 2022 11:15 AM in response to leroydouglas

Yes it did. It had big sur on it originally.

I did use that second link you provided, ...

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

I tried to follow those instructions. I couldn't get all the way through because of there being no options for "select disk where you want to reinstall macOS Big Sur."

I haven't tried that first link of "revive or restore a mac with apple silicon using apple configurator - apple support." Is that what I need to do? It sounds kind of radical so I want to be sure i'm on the right track before doing that.

Thanks for your input!

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Answer 4

Connirae Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 5, 2022 1:53 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks! I'm not tech savy but I think I can follow instructions on how to fix this if I know what to do. Here is a screen shot that may help? It shows the disk utility screen - I think this shows how my computer is partitioned? Perhaps this gives a clue as to what I need to do? The second screen shot shows what I see when I attempt to install macOS Big Sur (and it doesn't show any locations to use for the install). Thanks again...

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Answer 5

Connirae Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 5, 2022 5:47 AM in response to Connirae

One more piece of information. My daughter-in-law thinks the problem might have to do with the fact that after erasing the hard drive, there are no "user accounts". Before I had two user accounts set up on this hard drive. These have been erased.

She got a message related to "no user accounts" when she was attempting to go forward with this.

Thanks for any ideas!

Connirae

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Answer 6

leroydouglas

Level 10

202,896 points

Jun 4, 2022 10:37 AM in response to Connirae

Connirae wrote:

Hi, I'm giving my 2020 Macbook pro (13 inch with M1 chip) to a family member, so I attempted to follow directions to erase everything on it and start fresh.

I think everything is erased. But when I got to the step to reinstall the operating system ( MacOS Big Sur), II click on the "install" choice, select "agree" to the license terms. Then I get the question "Select the disk where you want to install macOS. There aren't any choices! What can I do.

I've already searched in this community forum and saw someone gave instructions to add APFS volume to container. I attempted this but it failed. I went into disk utility, under the main APP6SSD SM024G Media, I wasn't allowed to partition anything. I saw "add volume" and selected the container under "Disk 5" and tried to add a volume there. I selected format "APfS" (the first on the list). It failed.

What can I do to reinstall MacOS Big Sur? So far the instructions I've tried to follow for all of this haven't fit what's actually on my computer. So I end up guessing what to click on - something that seems close. I looked all over for instructions that would match my computer but couldn't find them.

Thanks in advance!

Did your Mac ship with Big Sur originally(?) ...this would be a limiting factor if it did not.

If necessary use the —Revive or restore a Mac with Apple silicon using Apple Configurator - Apple Support

How to reinstall macOS

Recovery (both M1 and Intel) — How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

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Can't reinstall macos Big Sur after I wiped the disk clean

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