Resolved How to update to the latest OS without bypassing setup?

[TheMountainLife]

Hi Everyone.

I'm gifting a M1 MBA to my parents for Christmas and trying to keep things simple. In the past I've used internet recovery which would install the latest Mac OS which appears to be only available on Intel based Macs. This MBA had Ventura installed originally and I updated it to Sequoia just now. When I erased it to factory settings it reinstalled Ventura. So I then used disk utility from the recovery menu and wiped it manually which it then installed Sonoma.

It looks like I could create a bootable recovery USB but my only other current gen Mac is my work one where the app store app is completely blocked from launching so I can't download Sequoia directly. I guess I could use this MBA but seems like a lot of trouble.

My goal is to get this to Sequoia without going through the setup screen so its still a new unboxing experience for my parents and can immediately start using without me playing tech support over the holidays. Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[Mike Boreham]

Erase all Content and Settings restores the Mac to factory conditions so it seems like a first unboxing new machine. It does this by deleting the -Data volume leaving the SSV (Signed Sealed System Volume).

However since your machine is currently on Ventura, you need to run Software update now to get it up to Sequoia, then do the Erase all Content and Settings.

Software Update is the way to get it up to Sequoia. No need to do anything in Disk Utility or Recovery.

 

[TheMountainLife]

Erase all Content and Settings restores the Mac to factory conditions so it seems like a first unboxing new machine. It does this by deleting the -Data volume leaving the SSV (Signed Sealed System Volume).

However since your machine is currently on Ventura, you need to run Software update now to get it up to Sequoia, then do the Erase all Content and Settings.

Software Update is the way to get it up to Sequoia. No need to do anything in Disk Utility or Recovery.

Thanks for the reply. I'll try again but just using the erase all content option. Feels weird that I have to create a user, update then erase. Just doesn't feel like a clean install but will trust the system.

 

[Nermal]

Feels weird that I have to create a user, update then erase.

Think of it from the perspective of selling a used computer: you already have an account (from when you used it), and you've probably already updated it, so all that's left is to erase the Data volume.

 

[iStorm]

Put the MBA in DFU mode and restore it using Finder on your other Mac. It'll download and restore the latest IPSW for you. That's the great thing about Apple Silicon Macs; they can be restored the same way you would restore an iPhone or iPad. It's what I do and is super quick and easy. It'll also replace the two or three hidden recovery volumes/containers with whatever version you restore. Then, you shouldn't run into the problem of it going back to Ventura or Sonoma in the future. ('Erase all Content and Settings' nor does reinstalling from a bootable USB replace these hidden recovery volumes/containers.)

How to revive or restore Mac firmware - Apple Support

Rarely, a Mac with Apple silicon or the Apple T2 Security Chip might stop responding and need its firmware to be revived or restored by another Mac.

support.apple.com

 

[TheMountainLife]

Put the MBA in DFU mode and restore it using Finder on your other Mac. It'll download and restore the latest IPSW for you. That's the great thing about Apple Silicon Macs; they can be restored the same way you would restore an iPhone or iPad. It's what I do and is super quick and easy. It'll also replace the two or three hidden recovery volumes/containers with whatever version you restore. Then, you shouldn't run into the problem of it going back to Ventura or Sonoma in the future. ('Erase all Content and Settings' nor does reinstalling from a bootable USB replace these hidden recovery volumes/containers.)

How to revive or restore Mac firmware - Apple Support

Rarely, a Mac with Apple silicon or the Apple T2 Security Chip might stop responding and need its firmware to be revived or restored by another Mac.

support.apple.com

Sweet thank you this is more so what I was looking for. I've been out the game for a bit but use to do something similar to this when I had certification with Apple and IBM and had access to GSX. Lots and lots of top case replacements...ugh

 

[Mike Boreham]

Sweet thank you this is more so what I was looking for. I've been out the game for a bit but use to do something similar to this when I had certification with Apple and IBM and had access to GSX. Lots and lots of top case replacements...ugh

IMO there is absolutely no need to use DFU mode, which is not as straightforward as @iStorm implies and needs a second Mac, and certainly not as easy as the Erase All Content and Settings which is the way Apple intends for your situation.

Yes a DFU restore would restore the firmware and hidden partitions but this is pointless for you since you are updating to Sequoia anyway, so they will be updated to the latest Sequoia versions. DFU would be appropriate if you wanted to roll back and were obsessive about having the original hidden partitions and firmware, or having other problems.

DFU mode method would not alter the unboxing experience at all.

 

[TheMountainLife]

IMO there is absolutely no need to use DFU mode, which is not as straightforward as @iStorm implies and needs a second Mac, and certainly not as easy as the Erase All Content and Settings which is the way Apple intends for your situation.

Yes a DFU restore would restore the firmware and hidden partitions but this is pointless for you since you are updating to Sequoia anyway, so they will be updated to the latest Sequoia versions. DFU would be appropriate if you wanted to roll back and were obsessive about having the original hidden partitions and firmware, or having other problems.

DFU mode method would not alter the unboxing experience at all.

I get what you're saying. The MBA was purchased off of Swappa this week so I don't mind going the extra mile to ensure the remnants of the previous owner is completely gone.

Lucked out as this M1 MBA only has 30 charging cycles with a battery health of 97%.

 

[Mike Boreham]

I get what you're saying. The MBA was purchased off of Swappa this week so I don't mind going the extra mile to ensure the remnants of the previous owner is completely gone.

It's all in your mind....no difference on the machine and end result. Good Luck.

 

[Alameda]

Sweet thank you this is more so what I was looking for. I've been out the game for a bit but use to do something similar to this when I had certification with Apple and IBM and had access to GSX. Lots and lots of top case replacements...ugh

I think if you keep the Mac in Find My Mac, it’s not fully transferred. But you can do this any time, or never.

 

[Mike Boreham]

I think if you keep the Mac in Find My Mac, it’s not fully transferred. But you can do this any time, or never.

Yes it is essential that Find My is turned off which turns off Activation lock. Erase all Content and Settings forces you to do this.

 

[benwiggy]

I have to concur with Mike -- Apple now designs Macs with the OS on one volume (which cannot be altered); and "everything else" on the Data volume. The other volumes on the disk are the boot partition and Restore Partition.

There is never any need to wipe the entire disk and reinstall the OS. Erasing the internal drive can brick the Mac -- and that's when you need to use a second Mac with Apple Configurator to repair the disk.