Wifi asking for username in recovery mode

I am trying to reinstall the OS on a 2012 MacBook after replacing the drive after a hard drive failure. I can enter recovery mode, but when I try to reinstall the OS, I am not connected to the internet. When I try to connect, it asks for a username for my wifi, even though my network is set to WPA2 Personal.


I have a backup, but it does not fit on the new drive.

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Aug 27, 2023 8:25 PM

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Aug 30, 2023 7:21 AM in response to ahumblelich

ahumblelich,


Let's attempt to create a bootable installer using these steps:


"Use Terminal to create the bootable installer

Terminal window showing the completed process

  1. Plug in the USB flash drive or other volume that you're using for the bootable installer. 
  2. Open Terminal, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
  3. Type or paste one of the commands below into Terminal, then press Return to enter the command. Each command assumes that the installer is in your Applications folder, and MyVolume is the name of the USB flash drive or other volume you're using. If the volume has a different name, replace MyVolume in the command with the name of your volume.
  4. When prompted, type your administrator password. Terminal doesn't show any characters as you type. Then press Return.
  5. When prompted, type Y to confirm that you want to erase the volume, then press Return. Terminal shows the progress as the volume is erased.
  6. After the volume is erased, you may see an alert that Terminal would like to access files on a removable volume. Click OK to allow the copy to proceed. 
  7. When Terminal says that it's done, the volume will have the same name as the installer you downloaded, such as Install macOS Ventura. You can now quit Terminal and eject the volume."


Additional details can be found here: Create a bootable installer for macOS



If the issue persists, can you provide additional details on what happens when you attempt to reinstall macOS with the bootable drive?


Cheers!

Aug 28, 2023 4:44 PM in response to ahumblelich

Hi ahumblelich,


Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities. We understand you need to reinstall macOS after replacing the hard drive. You'll need to connect to the Internet in order to download macOS. This article has some helpful information: Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac.


"Start up your Intel-based Mac in macOS Recovery

  1. Restart your Mac.
  2. Immediately press and hold one of the following key combinations until you see the startup screen:
    • Command-R: Start up from the built-in macOS Recovery System. Use this key combination to reinstall the latest macOS that was installed on your system, or to use the other apps in macOS Recovery.
    • Option-Command-R: Start up from macOS Recovery over the internet. Use this key combination to reinstall macOS and upgrade to the latest version of macOS that’s compatible with your Mac.
    • Option-Shift-Command-R: Start up from macOS Recovery over the internet. Use this key combination to reinstall the version of macOS that came with your Mac or the closest version that’s still available.

3. If you see a lock, enter the password for your Mac.

4. If you have multiple volumes on your disk, select the volume you want to recover, then click Next.

5. If requested, choose an administrator account, click Next, enter the password for the account, then click Continue.

When the Recovery app appears in the menu bar, you can choose any of the available options in the window or the menu bar.


Connect to the internet using Wi-Fi

If the Wi-Fi menu icon (in the upper-right corner of the screen) contains one or more bars , Wi-Fi is turned on and connected to a wireless network. If the Wi-Fi menu icon doesn’t contain any bars , Wi-Fi is turned on but isn’t connected to a wireless network. If the Wi-Fi menu icon has a slash through it , Wi-Fi is turned off. Wi-Fi needs to be turned on before you can join a wireless network.

On your Mac, do any of the following:

  • Turn on Wi-Fi: Click the Wi-Fi menu icon, then choose Turn Wi-Fi On.
  • Turn off Wi-Fi: Click the Wi-Fi menu icon, then choose Turn Wi-Fi Off.
  • Join a network: Click the Wi-Fi menu icon, then choose a network. If requested, type the network’s password.
  • Join a closed network: Click the Wi-Fi menu icon, then choose Join Other Network. Enter the network’s name and, if requested, the network’s password."


We hope this helps.


Take care.

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Wifi asking for username in recovery mode

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