Is a clean install now straightforward with M1 on 11.2?

[johnalan]

Is a clean install now straightforward with M1 on 11.2?

I know there were issues, just wondering if anyone did a clean install of 11.2, if its now working easily?

I'd like to install two copies of macOS, not sure if possible?

 

[Apple_Robert]

I did a clean install with 11.1 and 11.2 should be no different, as far as the process is concerned.

Do you have the instructions for doing a clean install on the M1?

 

[johnalan]

@Apple_Robert thanks for the reply! - I'm a long time user, so generally comfortable with this type of thing.

However, I understood that "clean installs" (disk utility, kill partition, recreate) was causing issues in 11.0.1, and even in 11.1 - just wondering if 11.2 makes clean installs frictionless, and indeed, if I can have two installs for testing?

 

[Apple_Robert]

If you don't have FileVault turned on the following process should work with no problems. Erasing the disk in Disk Utility like we used to is not advisable with the M1.

1. Power off the M1
2. Press and hold the power button to enter recovery mode
3. Click the Options icon and then press continue
4. In the upper left corner select Recovery Assistant
5. In that drop down menu, select Erase Mac
6. Follow the on-screen steps from there

 

[johnalan]

@Apple_Robert, haha I do have FileVault on, and I do want to do a clean install!

Thanks for the guide, a bit worrying that Apple discourage clean installs? What's up with that?

 

[Apple_Robert]

@Apple_Robert, haha I do have FileVault on, and I do want to do a clean install!

Thanks for the guide, a bit worrying that Apple discourage clean installs? What's up with that?

Since you have FileVault turned on, do the following steps 3 - 10 twice. Once you do that, you can go into utilities and reinstall Big Sur. Once you do the clean install, you will think this wasn't too bad. lol

If an error occurred while updating or installing macOS - Apple Support

The message might say that an error occurred while downloading, preparing, or installing, or that the software is damaged, could not be verified, or failed to personalize. The cause of messages like these can vary, and sometimes they're only temporary.

support.apple.com

I agree that Apple is making it a little harder to do clean installs versus the Intel days.

 

[johnalan]

Since you have FileVault turned on, do the following steps 3 - 10 twice. Once you do that, you can go into utilities and reinstall Big Sur. Once you do the clean install, you will think this wasn't too bad. lol

If an error occurred while updating or installing macOS - Apple Support

The message might say that an error occurred while downloading, preparing, or installing, or that the software is damaged, could not be verified, or failed to personalize. The cause of messages like these can vary, and sometimes they're only temporary.

support.apple.com

I agree that Apple is making it a little harder to do clean installs versus the Intel days.

Thank you!

I thought this would all be cleaned up by 11.2!

 

[Apple_Robert]

Thank you!

I thought this would all be cleaned up by 11.2!

More than likely, this is going to be the standard now (with FileVault on) with the M1.

 

[BLUEDOG314]

If you have another Mac and the appropriate cables, easiest and quickest thing to do is probably just a firmware restore.

 

[johnalan]

I do have but that seems nonsensical. Didn’t they say in state of the union multiple OS versions can be run side by side on M1?!

 

[Janeilfen]

Is 11.2 out now? I can't see it.

 

[harleymhs]

@Apple_Robert, haha I do have FileVault on, and I do want to do a clean install!

Thanks for the guide, a bit worrying that Apple discourage clean installs? What's up with that?

Just returned a M! air... erased and clean install went fine no issues at all .. Quick as well ! Must follow the M1 clean install instructions. DO not erase or format the SSD!

 

[Apple_Robert]

Is 11.2 out now? I can't see it.

Yes, it is.

 

[johnalan]

Just returned a M! air... erased and clean install went fine no issues at all .. Quick as well ! Must follow the M1 clean install instructions. DO not erase or format the SSD!

If you don't format the SSD how is it a "clean" install though?

 

[posguy99]

If you don't format the SSD how is it a "clean" install though?

Wondering what you think "format" means.

 

[alpez]

If you don't format the SSD how is it a "clean" install though?

Erase the container, not the disk, if you erase the disk you erase firmware and more too !
Configurator2 maybe restore system if you erase disk, forever bricked.
(Erase disk on the internal ssd should be disabled in diskutil)

Btw
If you find instructions to install multiple macos on the internal ssd, let me know 😁

 

[johnalan]

Wondering what you think "format" means.

Maybe being a bit over qualified here but it used to mean preparing the disk by zeroing it.

Maybe I just don't get what the kids are doing these days.

 

[gilby101]

Maybe being a bit over qualified here but it used to mean preparing the disk by zeroing it.

Not on an SSD and doubly not on an M1 Mac. If in anyway you erase the whole SSD, your Mac will not function.

Parts of the SSD are essential to the initial boot process and the SSD is tied to the logic board. In essence some of what used to be in firmware is now on the SSD. Have a read of https://eclecticlight.co/2021/01/17/last-week-on-my-mac-1-true-recovery/ and some of Howard's other blogs on the M1 which detail the layout of the M1 disk and the boot process.

 

[pers00]

I’m confused tbh. I have intel MacBook Pro 2018. As a new mack user (20+years Windows user) I wanted to clean install BigSur. I watched all videos and read some tutorials. The process seems easy till the point of erasing disc. I have 3 option:

Apple SSD -> Container disc 1 -> Mackintosh HD. I also have Bootcamp which I don’t want to touch.

In most videos I saw people erase main disc - Apple SSD. Some erase Mackintosh HD or container. I was thinking it would be good idea to erase container coz it includes not only Mackintosh HD but also VM and also 2 not mounted (whatever it means). Now after reading all the posts here I’m not sure and I would rather erase only Mackintosh HD.

I wish all these tutorials were more specific...

 

[Richard Tillard]

I have installed 11.2 from DFU - everything works well. Used this guide and had no problem. I also tried use "Erase Mac..." feature from recovery mode but all the same I've decided to do full restore.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I have installed 11.2 from DFU - everything works well. Used this guide and had no problem. I also tried use "Erase Mac..." feature from recovery mode but all the same I've decided to do full restore.

Speaking of restore, I was told by level 2 support that this is the new standard method from now on, and Apple is going to transition other devices to the same.

 

[Richard Tillard]

Speaking of restore, I was told by level 2 support that this is the new standard method from now on, and Apple is going to transition other devices to the same.

At first it seemed to me that all this was somehow unusual and strange, but then I realized that it was just unusual, especially for me. Because, for the last 15 years, I've been reinstalling the system in a completely different way, just like many other people. But still, over time, and it will be familiar. During the installation of the OS, I realized that this would now be a new and convenient way to fully restore the system in case something happened to the computer. In this case, you can always have the right IPSW at hand and quickly restore the system if there are suddenly serious problems with the interaction of the OS and hardware.

 

[johnalan]

At first it seemed to me that all this was somehow unusual and strange, but then I realized that it was just unusual, especially for me. Because, for the last 15 years, I've been reinstalling the system in a completely different way, just like many other people. But still, over time, and it will be familiar. During the installation of the OS, I realized that this would now be a new and convenient way to fully restore the system in case something happened to the computer. In this case, you can always have the right IPSW at hand and quickly restore the system if there are suddenly serious problems with the interaction of the OS and hardware.

so what is the way now for an actual clean install, where original user files are removed? Do I need another Mac for DFU?

 

[Apple_Robert]

so what is the way now for an actual clean install, where original user files are removed? Do I need another Mac for DFU?

I already provided the instructions for a 'clean install' where the original files are removed. DFU mode is only needed when your M1 won't boot or the firmware appears to be corrupt.

 

[johnalan]

I already provided the instructions for a 'clean install' where the original files are removed. DFU mode is only needed when your M1 won't boot or the firmware appears to be corrupt.

That's cool just Filevault should be on every Mac, and this doesn't rename the disk correctly, it's all just a little messy.