User profile for user: LXcheng
LXcheng Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

After erased partition, unable to get into recovery mode

It's a Macbook Air early 2014 11" Big Sur latest version. Use FileVault encrypted. Been running fine, no problem at all. But i suspect malwares (asking me to if i want to log out all applications, though i never click log out button).


Anyway, so i downloaded latest version Big Sur to reinstall MacOs to get rid of the malwares. Store it in my external hard drive with Exfat 32 format.

And i went to disk utility, erased partially the highest part (Apple SSD) but not the base system.

Then i start over and hold down Option, and turned out i can't install the pre-downloaded Big Sur from the external drive. Maybe it is because the external drive is supposed to be in MacOs Extended format. Ok. My bad.

Then i try to get into recovery mode by command R, or shift option command R, leads to spinning globe. I connect my wifi fine but i cannot get the administrator password. I entered the password i use to enter Mac whenever i open my Mac and i got rejected. I thought administrator password was log in password, same as privacy setting password. And i tried Apple iD. Both got rejected. Then i try use my previous log in password, it does not reject it but does not take me to the recovery mode either. It keeps spinning as if it is processing the access until my battery runs out.


I watched many videos on YouTube tried everything (SMC, Safe mode, etc) but nothing works. No similar case like i'm having now. I cannot get to Recovery mode. I cannot get Apple logo with processing bar like in the safe mode. All i get is the spinning globe only without ever getting into the recovery mode.

Help.

MacBook Air 11″, macOS 11.7

Posted on Dec 17, 2024 7:01 AM

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User profile for user: LXcheng
LXcheng Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Posted on Dec 19, 2024 7:42 PM

I tried WiFi password and log in password, didn't work. The next day i went to private service center, and i can get into recovery mode using THEIR store WiFi. Strange. Then i stopped it and and now using my WiFi. Now it detected my WiFi password. Very strange huh.

After that i got into recovery mode and downloaded the factory-setting MacOs Yosemite using hotspot from my cellphone and make bootable installer in my partitioned external hard drive for Big Sur and everything went smooth.


Experience to share:

When WiFi password rejected in spinning-globe mode to get into recovery mode, try OTHER WiFi. I used store WiFi with router. It worked for my case.


Other experience that might be useful to share:

I tried to upgrade from Yosemite to Big Sur. But When in Yosemite, i couldn't get into my Apple ID. I also tried to create new Apple ID and didn't work as "error in Apple server" notifications came up and everytime retried. As if my Apple ID password was wrong. Panic mode episode 1.

In Yosemite:

  • It is not recommended to upgrade from Yosemite straight to Big Sur, hence need High Sierra for a step-up
  • I couldn't access my Apple ID to get into Apps store to download High Sierra
  • I couldn't even create new Apple ID
  • Safari does not work on Yosemite due to support has stopped since 2019
  • I couldn't bypass Apps store through Terminal to download MacOs as many videos shown in YouTube. I guess it only works when Apple ID is already signed in.
  • Safari only gives the titles, but when i click the websites, nothing worked. Except Maxthon and Google chrome.
  • I created time machine backup on Yosemite and time machine name changed.
  • I couldn't access my Big Sur time machine backup as the name changed. (panic mode episode 2)
  • In this stage, it was like having a feeling that you lost your Mac, your backup and forget your Apple ID.


Here is what i did:

  • I didn't use upgrade method through High Sierra
  • With Yosemite i could access my external HD and create bootable installer for Big Sur.
  • And install straight, i didn't erase the core SSD partition.
  • When asked to choose to Replace or Keep both user account, i chose Replace.
  • It succeeded. And i could access my Apple ID. My Apple ID password is CORRECT.
  • And i get to choose between time machine backup made with different names.
  • Everything comes back as it was now.


If anybody has the same case in the future and need more detail more than i already mentioned, feel free to reply my post to contact me. Hope i still remember when that time comes.


Hope my shared-experience can add or contribute in some way as this community is very helpful and fast response when one is in need.


Thank you guys.

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User profile for user: LXcheng
LXcheng Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Dec 19, 2024 7:42 PM in response to HWTech

I tried WiFi password and log in password, didn't work. The next day i went to private service center, and i can get into recovery mode using THEIR store WiFi. Strange. Then i stopped it and and now using my WiFi. Now it detected my WiFi password. Very strange huh.

After that i got into recovery mode and downloaded the factory-setting MacOs Yosemite using hotspot from my cellphone and make bootable installer in my partitioned external hard drive for Big Sur and everything went smooth.


Experience to share:

When WiFi password rejected in spinning-globe mode to get into recovery mode, try OTHER WiFi. I used store WiFi with router. It worked for my case.


Other experience that might be useful to share:

I tried to upgrade from Yosemite to Big Sur. But When in Yosemite, i couldn't get into my Apple ID. I also tried to create new Apple ID and didn't work as "error in Apple server" notifications came up and everytime retried. As if my Apple ID password was wrong. Panic mode episode 1.

In Yosemite:

  • It is not recommended to upgrade from Yosemite straight to Big Sur, hence need High Sierra for a step-up
  • I couldn't access my Apple ID to get into Apps store to download High Sierra
  • I couldn't even create new Apple ID
  • Safari does not work on Yosemite due to support has stopped since 2019
  • I couldn't bypass Apps store through Terminal to download MacOs as many videos shown in YouTube. I guess it only works when Apple ID is already signed in.
  • Safari only gives the titles, but when i click the websites, nothing worked. Except Maxthon and Google chrome.
  • I created time machine backup on Yosemite and time machine name changed.
  • I couldn't access my Big Sur time machine backup as the name changed. (panic mode episode 2)
  • In this stage, it was like having a feeling that you lost your Mac, your backup and forget your Apple ID.


Here is what i did:

  • I didn't use upgrade method through High Sierra
  • With Yosemite i could access my external HD and create bootable installer for Big Sur.
  • And install straight, i didn't erase the core SSD partition.
  • When asked to choose to Replace or Keep both user account, i chose Replace.
  • It succeeded. And i could access my Apple ID. My Apple ID password is CORRECT.
  • And i get to choose between time machine backup made with different names.
  • Everything comes back as it was now.


If anybody has the same case in the future and need more detail more than i already mentioned, feel free to reply my post to contact me. Hope i still remember when that time comes.


Hope my shared-experience can add or contribute in some way as this community is very helpful and fast response when one is in need.


Thank you guys.

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User profile for user: varjak paw
varjak paw
User level: Level 10
183,286 points

Dec 17, 2024 7:20 AM in response to LXcheng

First, you can't just copy the macOS installer to an external drive and have it work. You would have had to build a bootable installer:


Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support


As to the issue with Recovery, perhaps something here will help:


If you can't start up from macOS Recovery - Apple Support


If not, you will probably need to find someone - a friend, a service center, etc. - with a Mac capable of running Big Sur and build a bootable installer and try that.


Regards.



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After erased partition, unable to get into recovery mode

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