Unable to update MacBook Pro M1 to macOS 15.4

I can confirm that attempting the DFU revive did not work. I don't want to try the Restore at this point as this nukes the SSD and in a business environment I don't want to inconvenience my Devs (who all work remotely) by telling them they need to wipe their macs an reinstall everything.

What I did manage was to download an RC version of MacOS 15.4 from the Apple Beta Programme and would you believe it, it installed without any issues on the mac I've got that so far has failed every time to install the current Prod version!

Sadly though they are slightly different versions of the 15.4 update. The RC is v24E247 and the prod one is v24E248. When I reverted the mac back to it's normal update process (by turning off the beta update) it still thinks it needs to be updated to 15.4 which, of course, still fails!

Like Paula Abdul once said, "I take two steps forward, Apple takes one back"

I am having the exact same issue. Macbook Air M1 2020 fails to upgrade to 15.4. Upgrade from 13 to 14 worked via the Appstore, but then onwards to 15 does not. Tried safemode, etc, Apple support walked me through some steps (e.g. removal of VPN software, new admin account, renew macOS installation, ...) but so far without a solution. Current suggestion is to erase the Mac, but I am hesitant.

Just to add some more "don't work" scenario - I have the same issue on 2 different other Macs (2020 MacMini M1, and 2023 Mac Studio M2 Max) - both running MacOS Sequoia 15.3.1.

Tried all the suggestions here (safe mode, Find My etc. blank account login) except of course for installing a later OS, because there's no "later" than 15.3.1 besides 15.4.

I am really annoyed at this - and these 2 Macs have very different setup - one is from Employer, one private.

Things that are "alike":

1. Language and "region" (Israel)
2. Developer Tools installed (I'm a software engineer)
3. Same AppleID logged in.
4. Both Apple Silicon

Otherwise... I'm at a loss here. Gathering more and more Kernel Panic logs, and can't get Apple off my back nagging about the "great" upgrade I need to apply.

I've the same problem with M1 MacBook Pro.

So yesterday I've downloaded the update from macOS 15.3.2

After the download from Settings it starts to update.

After that it shows a window where it ask for my FileVault password (never seen before).

So, I've inserted it.

After that, only boot loop. No log given.

So, I've seen using Terminal that in Macintosh HD - Data there are all my folders and files.

I've tried:

• Restarting in Safe Mode: same problem
• Create a macOS 15.4 update from USB stick created from another mac: after install, it keeps bootlooping and no log provided.
• Using S.O.S. from Disk Utility it shows a lot of warnings on snapshots.
• Restore window shows "Install Monterey" that is four years old.

So, now, how can I do?

Since this morning I'm with Apple Support but no guidelines to solve the problem.

I don't want to loose all my data for a minor update (I've done a cp operation using Terminal on a external SSD but probably I've missed some path/folder to backup).

Having the same problem with a MacBook Pro M1. Tried updating from Sequoia 15.3.2 (24D81) to Sequoia 15.4 several times with both online and offline installer and always getting:

panic(cpu 0 caller 0x0): t6000dart 0xfffffdf039cbcd70 (dart-dispext1): Can't ignore lock validation @t6000dart.c:437
Debugger message: panic
Memory ID: 0x6
OS release type: Not set yet
OS version: Not set yet
Kernel version: Darwin Kernel Version 24.4.0: Wed Mar 19 21:16:34 PDT 2025; root:xnu-11417.101.15~1/RELEASE_ARM64_T6000
Fileset Kernelcache UUID: 64910CF20FBC3B619F5B9FEDE3E907C5
Kernel UUID: 0DBF4FC4-B7A0-303C-9143-63308FC1EA62
Boot session UUID: ***
iBoot version: iBoot-11881.101.1
iBoot Stage 2 version: iBoot-11881.101.1
secure boot?: YES
roots installed: 0
Paniclog version: 14
...

(I've redacted Boot session UUID and truncated the rest of the crash log)

Strange seeing dart-dispext1 is causing the error, as I didn't have an external monitor connected when I tried upgrading the system.

I'm a registered developer as well - but I can't recall where I can download the standalone 15.4 RC updater... Can you please share the link, or at least the "mother link" or how to navigate there?

I HATE auto-updates anyway, and would prefer download + manual installation anytime.

Although I understand re-installing rosetta didn't help - could you please share how you would do that? I'd like to reinstall rosetta on one of my Macs (who fail the 15.4 upgrade) because I have a reason to believe something I tried to execute may have damaged it. I was wondering if that was the cause of the 15.4 never-ending saga, but I'd like to rule that out specifically. Thanks.

Sorry for the confusion earlier. It turns out I didn’t successfully upgrade to 15.4. I failed during the second step, so I’m still on 15.3.2. It seems the latest macOS 15.4 version has some issues with the upgrade process. Hopefully, Apple will fix it soon.

I'm having this exact same problem with a M1 Max MacBook pro. Were you all able to find a solution? Thanks!

Yep, have the same problem

MacBook 14 M1 Pro 8c, 16/512. macOS 14.7.5 (23H527)

Me too. M1 mini upgrade from Sequoia 15.3.2. Exact same error message.

Your method works for me!

I have upgraded to 15.3.2 using your method, then updated via System Preferences to Apple's new 15.4.1 update. All good now! No DFU needed.

I upgraded to 15.4.1 without problems.