M1 MacBook Pro not displaying retina resolution

We understand JoeGarvey,

At this point, try reinstalling macOS as described here: How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

"Start up from macOS Recovery

First make sure that your Mac has a connection to the internet. Then determine whether you're using a Mac with Apple silicon and follow the appropriate steps:

Apple silicon

Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window. Click the gear icon labeled Options, then click Continue.

Intel processor

Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold Command (⌘)-R until you see an Apple logo or other image.

If you're asked to select a user you know the password for, select the user, click Next, then enter their administrator password. 

Reinstall macOS

Reinstalling macOS does not remove data from your Mac. To begin installation, select Reinstall macOS from the utilities window in macOS Recovery, then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions. 

Follow these guidelines during installation:

• If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password you use to log in to your Mac.
• 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.
• If the installer offers you the choice between installing on Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD - Data, choose Macintosh HD.
• Allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. Your Mac might restart and show a progress bar several times, and the screen might be empty for minutes at a time.

After installation is complete, your Mac might restart to a setup assistant. If you're selling, trading in, or giving away your Mac, press Command-Q to quit the assistant without completing setup. Then click Shut Down. When the new owner starts up the Mac, they can use their own information to complete setup.

Other macOS installation options

When you install macOS from Recovery, you get the current version of the most recently installed macOS, with some exceptions:

• On an Intel-based Mac, you can use Shift-Option-Command-R during startup to be offered the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. Or you can use Option-Command-Rduring startup to be offered either the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac, or in some cases the macOS that came with your Mac or the closest version still available.
• If the Mac logic board was just replaced, you might be offered only the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.
• If you just erased your entire startup disk, you might be offered only the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. 

You can also use these methods to install macOS, if the macOS is compatible with your Mac:

• Use the App Store to download and install the latest macOS or an earlier macOS.
• Use a USB flash drive or other secondary volume to create a bootable installer."

We hope this helps.

Cheers!

Hello, JoeGarvey. Thank you for posting to the Apple Support Communities. 

We understand the situation and how you are noticing a limited number of display resolution options displayed for your MacBook Pro right now. We’d like to help. 

From what we understand, the issue started after installed software was used to make changes to your display settings. There are several ways to troubleshoot something like this. 

To start, we would suggest checking how your display settings appear while your Mac is in safe mode: 

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > Shut Down.

Wait for your Mac to shut down completely. A Mac is completely shut down when the screen is black and any lights (including in the Touch Bar) are off.

2. Press and hold the power button on your Mac until “Loading startup options” appears.

3. Select a volume.

4. Press and hold the Shift key, then click Continue in Safe Mode.

The computer restarts automatically. When the login window appears, you should see “Safe Boot” in the menu bar.

You can also find additional suggestions for isolating this issue in this last article: 

Diagnose problems with your Mac - Apple Support

We hope that this helps. 

Cheers!