Messed up Factory Reset on MacBook Pro Mid 2012 (A1278)

1. Start up from macOS Recovery

Option-⌘-R

Upgrade to the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.

In Disk Utility>View, select Show all Devices, highlight the top left entry.

APFS won't work for Sierra or earlier, Sierra or earlier needs MacOS Extended Journaled. High Sierra won't work for APFS on earlier Macs.

What has often worked for others is to use this Restore Method instead of CMD+r keys...

Option-⌘-R

Upgrade to the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.

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After spending hours trying out other methods - I am so grateful to come across your post! Worked a treat - thank you so much.

I did exactly the same thing, but when it tried to install the OS, I get an error message that installed failed and I should try again. I have tried numerous times and it fails every time. I'm at a loss as to what to do next. I have tried starting up off the installer disks or snow leopard retail CD and I get the great screen of death or code written on the screen.

I performed this reset years ago with no issues, has Apple removed the update to make these older machines useless?

There are 12 different A1278s!

https://everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/?search_keywords=A1278

Does this work???

Shift-Option-⌘-R

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

Great to hear my friend, take care! :)

Which exact Mac is this?

What method are you trying?

A1287

Start up from macOS Recovery

Option-⌘-R

Upgrade to the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.

i.e. the subject of this post.

I am having the same issue, but the solution does not work for me.

A1278

You may want to read my post ... IVE TRIED EVERYTHING. NOTHING WORKS.

Silly me, if you tried everything, why am I still trying to help?