could not create a preboot volume for APFS install

Hello everyone.

Earlier today I wanted to reformat and do a fresh install of macOS High Sierra.

My process =

-Signing out on iTunes, iMessage, and iCloud

-Going to the CMD+ R screen

-Going to Disk Utilities

-Erasing Macintosh HD

-Rebooting and going back to CMD+R screen

-Clicking on install macOS

-Clicking on install High Sierra

-Once the process reached 100%, I got the error “could not create a preboot volume for APFS install”

Now I am unable to install a macOS

My mac is a Macbook Pro 2014 model

Posted on Nov 6, 2017 12:31 PM

Top-ranking reply

bgin

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Nov 19, 2017 11:22 AM

I had the same problem too. To fix it I did:

Reboot w/ option+command+R

Open terminal, and execute:

"diskutil list"

Then, find the drive name that you want to erase and reinstall macOS on, in my case it's "disk0"

Then use:

"diskutil eraseDisk JHFS+ NewVolume disk0"

(As a warning, this will erase everything that is on the physical drive, not just a single volume on the drive, so you will need to have backed up your data elsewhere.)

Now you should be able to go ahead with the "install macOS" option as your describe above.

(For some reason the "preboot volume" error only happens when trying to install High Sierra on an AFS drive, but does not occur if you use a JHFS+ drive to start).

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19 replies

Esmith15

Level 1

12 points

Jan 30, 2018 2:33 AM in response to gardnerpa

I followed all your steps and this keeps on happing when internet recovery is done

Feb 21, 2018 12:33 PM in response to gardnerpa

Hi I am getting the same warning message, I am getting quite desperate, I need to restore my mac asap. Please guys help me on that .

Mar 13, 2018 11:16 AM in response to gardnerpa

Thanks, I was having the same issue trying to re-install OS. Your steps worked out for me.

Jan 11, 2018 4:40 AM in response to jgarcia_gt

Hi jgarcia_gt:

Basically I paid them to reset the computer. My computer is a MacBook Pro 2017 pre-installed with High Sierra and they said that they would try to install an older system and then upgrade with High Sierra once the system was up and running. It worked, but it was not something I could have fixed on my own. 😟

I hope it helps.

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could not create a preboot volume for APFS install