I Need Help With Clean Install

[gregpod9]

I'm going to return my MBA tomorrow. I'm going restore it to factory settings with a clean install. I don't have a second Mac to do the DFU process. I updated to MacOS 11.0.1 a few weeks ago and I have the MacOS 11.0.1 USB boot installer in case I need it. My questions are:
1. Do I have to sign out of my icloud.com account on the MBA before doing the clean install? I do not want the MBA to show up in icloud.com account after I do the reinstall.
2. What are the steps to the clean install?
3. If the clean install fails, whats the best option?

 

[4sallypat]

Here's a detailed official Apple step by step:
What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I'm going to return my MBA tomorrow. I'm going restore it to factory settings with a clean install. I don't have a second Mac to do the DFU process. I updated to MacOS 11.0.1 a few weeks ago and I have the MacOS 11.0.1 USB boot installer in case I need it. My questions are:
1. Do I have to sign out of my icloud.com account on the MBA before doing the clean install? I do not want the MBA to show up in icloud.com account after I do the reinstall.
2. What are the steps to the clean install?
3. If the clean install fails, whats the best option?

Why are you returning it?

 

[Quackers]

Is it a M1 MBA?
The procedure for re-install may be very different
https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/reinstall-macos-m1-apple-silicon-macs/

 

[podycust]

You shouldn’t need to use dfu to restore! If you get the can’t personalise software update error Apple have a guide on their website-https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211983 which works as used the steps

 

[Buggs]

This is what worked for me
1. login to icloud on another computer
2. erase the new non-booting computer via icloud's Find iphone feature; the non-booting computer will be further erased and reboot to the language selection screen
3. activate the non-booting computer with your apple id and pw
4. reinstall Big Sur - which should now fully install

 

[gregpod9]

I tried most solutions that required no second Mac. The clean install failed this morning. It got the error "An error occurred preparing the update. Failed to personalize the software update. Please try again." even the MBA is on MacOS 11.0.1. I packed up the MBA and dropped it off at the FedEx Office at noon. One good thing is that the MBA does not show up in my iCloud account.

 

[anubis1980]

This is what worked for me
1. login to icloud on another computer
2. erase the new non-booting computer via icloud's Find iphone feature; the non-booting computer will be further erased and reboot to the language selection screen
3. activate the non-booting computer with your apple id and pw
4. reinstall Big Sur - which should now fully install

this was the only thing that worked for me, took me 5 hours of messing about 2 weeks ago to reinstall it on my MBA. Drove me mad!