Failed back up

Start up from macOS Recovery

To start up from macOS Recovery, turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold one of the following combinations on your keyboard. Command-R is generally recommended, especially if you never installed macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later… How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

Command (⌘)-R

Install the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac.

Option-⌘-R

Upgrade to the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.

Shift-Option-⌘-R

Install the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.

2. Decide whether to erase (format) your disk

If you need to erase your disk before installing macOS, select Disk Utility from the Utilities window, then click Continue. You probably don't need to erase, unless you're selling or giving away your Mac or have an issue that requires you to erase. Learn more about when and how to erase.

3. Install macOS

After starting up from macOS Recovery, follow these steps to install macOS:

1. Choose Reinstall macOS (or Reinstall OS X) from the Utilities window.
2. Click Continue, then follow the onscreen instructions to choose your disk and begin installation.
3. If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password you use to log in to your Mac. If it 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. 

1. Please allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. During installation, your Mac might restart and show a progress bar several times, and the screen might be empty for minutes at a time.

If your Mac restarts to a setup assistant, but you're selling or giving it away, 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.

If you never installed macOS Sierra 10.12.4

If macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later was never installed on your Mac, macOS Recovery works differently:

• Command-R is still the recommended way to start up from macOS Recovery. This combination makes sure that the installation isn't associated with your Apple ID, which is important if you're selling or giving away your Mac.
• Option-Command-R installs the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
• Shift-Option-Command-R isn't available.

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support 

Of course you may need to make a USB installer...

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Su

Kiwi_medic Said:

"Failed back up: [...]when I attempt to reinstall the OS, I get this message 'The Installer information on the recovery server is damaged'. Not entirely sure of it's age, but it wants to install Sierra. Any thoughts?"

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Upgrading to Sierra:

I assume you are using an installer that is corrupt or damaged. So, use a USB Bootable Installer. I would highly recommend that you upgrade to the most-recent macOS version that is compatible with your Mac.

Create a Time Machine Backup;

Take this as a learning experience, knowing to always start by creating a Time Machine backup of your Mac, so that you can have something to restore your Mac from, should anything go wrong with the upgrade. Go Here: Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support

Kiwi_medic Said:

"Failed back up: A bit more info. The Cmd-R command gets me the globe, I can connect to the internet, I can search google from the disk utility menu, cannot access any other apps at all."

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You are welcome:

Try Using Internet Recovery Mode: Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-Based Mac - Apple Support

You'd see a globe, and it would install right off of Apple's servers. Contact using Ethernet, if an available option, as a way to have a more reliable connection.

Find out your MBA model...

Identify your MacBook Air model - Apple Support

Kiwi_medic Said:

"Failed back up: [...]when I attempt to reinstall the OS, I get this message 'The Installer information on the recovery server is damaged'. Not entirely sure of it's age, but it wants to install Sierra. Any thoughts?"

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See if this helps...

Upgrading the macOS:

Determining which Upgrade(s) will Install:

I. Verify Compatibility:

A. Start Here: Learn About Compatibility and how to Identify your Specific Mac Model - Apple Support

B. How to Verify:

I Reveal your Model:

What is the Model of your Mac? To find out...

1. Go to: Apple menu
2. Click: About this Mac
3. View: Second Line-Down

then...

II. Compare the Results:

See if the Model you found is shown here:

• macOS Ventura is Compatible with these Computers - Apple Support
• macOS Monterey is Compatible with these Computers - Apple Support
• macOS Big Sur 11 Hardware Requirements - Apple Support
• macOS Catalina 10.15 - Hardware Requirements - Apple Support
• macOS Mojave 10.14 - Hardware Requirements - Apple Support
• macOS High Sierra 10.13 - Hardware Requirements - Apple Support
• macOS Sierra 10.12 - Hardware Requirements - Apple Support
• OS X El Capitan 10.11 - Hardware Requirements - Apple Support
• OS X Yosemite 10.10 - Hardware Requirements - Apple Support

III. If Compatible:

Back Up your Mac First:  Be certain you Create a Time Machine Backup of your Mac, so that way you can have something to restore your Mac from, should anything go wrong with the reconfiguration.