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dimitri28 Author

Level 1

9 points

Creating an older installer on a newer Mac

So I just upgraded to a new MacBook Pro M2. And I mistakenly erased the HD on my older MacBook Pro (late 2013) that was running BigSur without first creating a new installer (I know, not my best moment) . And no, it did not have a recovery drive set up either. Disk utility is now happy to help as soon as I tell it where the installation is coming from.

I tried downloading an installer on the newer MacBook Pro but it won't work and says it cannot be installed on the new one. My question, is it possible to create an installer from the newer computer, purchase one somewhere, or is the old computer bricked now? It has still been working great and I hate to see it go to waste.

Posted on Sep 20, 2023 10:42 PM

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3 replies

ku4hx

Level 7

23,604 points

Sep 21, 2023 7:37 AM in response to dimitri28

You can create the bootable flash on the new Mac: Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

Big Sur is available to be created ... page down to the command.

Follow all instructions precisely skipping nothing that applies to you.

Interesting ... I can't get Big Sur to work wither even though it has in the past.

I suggest you try the app Install Disk Creator. I've used it many times and it works perfectly.

I'm as baffled as you are now. Other's will undoubtedly tell us what we're overlooking. I blame it all on old age ...

Can't get Ventura to work either and I know it works.

Sep 21, 2023 7:55 AM in response to dimitri28

<<. And no, it did not have a recovery drive set up either. >>

Most Macs after 2011 models have Recovery in their ROM. It CAN'T be erased

Mac Pro 2013 has Recovery in its ROM. it does not requires a USB-Stick installer. It does not have the complexity of a T2 chip (added for the 2018 and later intel models.)

Launch recovery by holding Command-R at startup, and choose to re-install MacOS. it should download and install without incident, provided you have a drive on which it can be installed.

if you don't have a suitable DRIVE, you need to discuss preparing one with Disk Utility. If you have replaced the original internal SSD drive, that could make things MUCH more complex.

dimitri28 Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 21, 2023 9:56 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

That did the trick. I was still in the disk utility from erasing, and just needed to reboot and the installation option reappears. Thank you so much!

Creating an older installer on a newer Mac