Definitive and Simple Guide to Reset Mac M1 that actually works - Does it exist

[lightfire]

This is really rinky dink for apple to ship a product where one can't easily do a fresh install.

I tried this: https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/reinstall-macos-m1-apple-silicon-macs/

And it gets to the Step 5 part of "continue" and just hangs; will not go any further. Eventually, after a very long time I get "The recovery server could not be contacted". I can re-boot and try again, and it does the same thing over and over

I have read all the threads on this subject but if the solution is to use another Mac, that is preposterous for people who have only one. If the solution is to "take to Apple store" that is also preposterous; I live 3 hrs from one.

Will Apple fix this? When?

Should I just go back to the disk utilities and attempt to erase the disk? I am returning this Macbook Air and wanted to return it to factory software setup with all my info gone.

 

[AppleFeller]

I agree, its annoying, I restored mine twice to get stuck at "account creation failed" before finding out it requires a specific "erase Mac" button to be clicked that is hidden in the recovery toolbar before you actually wipe the SSD and then do the reinstall. I also had to log into iCloud.com and manually remove the MacBook Pro from my account because for some reason it wouldn't just remove from my phone under the "devices" in iCloud. It is a guessing game for all intents and purposes and using Configurator 2 on an extra Mac to do a DFU restore is not an option for most of us.

 

[lightfire]

It certainly shows lack of responsibility on Apple’s part. If t cant be fixed, purchasers should be made aware. If it can be fixed why haven’t they done so?

It looks like I have no options at all for mine. The only thing that it looks like I can do is erase purchased installed software, and delete from ID account. It is going back to Bestbuy

Unfortunately I purchased another of these not ready for prime time computers, a Mac Pro, and wondering whether to set it up or just send it back.

 

[MGLXP]

I agree, its annoying, I restored mine twice to get stuck at "account creation failed" before finding out it requires a specific "erase Mac" button to be clicked that is hidden in the recovery toolbar before you actually wipe the SSD and then do the reinstall. I also had to log into iCloud.com and manually remove the MacBook Pro from my account because for some reason it wouldn't just remove from my phone under the "devices" in iCloud. It is a guessing game for all intents and purposes and using Configurator 2 on an extra Mac to do a DFU restore is not an option for most of us.

I agree. You MUST use the 'Erase Mac' option to complete reformat the SSD of the M1 Mac, or you will get an 'account creation failed' error message. If you do it the old school way of going into Disk Utility and reformatting, it will not work. Took me a couple of hours to figure out that mess. For me, the DFU restore using Configurator 2 on a 2nd Mac doesn't always work either for some reason.

 

[MGLXP]

This is really rinky dink for apple to ship a product where one can't easily do a fresh install.

I tried this: https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/reinstall-macos-m1-apple-silicon-macs/

And it gets to the Step 5 part of "continue" and just hangs; will not go any further. Eventually, after a very long time I get "The recovery server could not be contacted". I can re-boot and try again, and it does the same thing over and over

I have read all the threads on this subject but if the solution is to use another Mac, that is preposterous for people who have only one. If the solution is to "take to Apple store" that is also preposterous; I live 3 hrs from one.

Will Apple fix this? When?

Should I just go back to the disk utilities and attempt to erase the disk? I am returning this Macbook Air and wanted to return it to factory software setup with all my info gone.

Do NOT go to Disk Utilities and erase the disk. It will lead to an incomplete erasure of the disk. On a M1 Mac, it will lead to the 'account creation error' during initial setup.

 

[lightfire]

I agree. You MUST use the 'Erase Mac' option to complete reformat the SSD of the M1 Mac, or you will get an 'account creation failed' error message. If you do it the old school way of going into Disk Utility and reformatting, it will not work. Took me a couple of hours to figure out that mess. For me, the DFU restore using Configurator 2 on a 2nd Mac doesn't always work either for some reason.

Yeah - but mine won’t get to that stage. Still get the same error as I listed above.

 

[lightfire]

Do NOT go to Disk Utilities and erase the disk. It will lead to an incomplete erasure of the disk. On a M1 Mac, it will lead to the 'account creation error' during initial setup.

Mine will not get past the error I listed above. Am trying a complete new download and install of MacOS then see if it will go any further.