Is it safe to install 2+ copies of macOS 11.1 on M1?

[ebelinski]

I would like to install two or three copies of macOS on my M1 MBP using Apple's instructions involving multiple APFS volumes. I held off on doing this until now because of the "Failed to personalize the software update" error fiasco. Now that macOS 11.1 is out with bug fixes, has this issue been resolved?

 

[TrueBlou]

I haven’t tried it myself yet. But I do remember reading that people had achieved it without issue since the 11.1 update. I’m sure there’s a thread on these forums actually. I’ll to have a search around, I’m sure there were people saying they’d managed to do it on separate internal partitions in a thread asking about installing on external drives.

 

[ebelinski]

I haven’t tried it myself yet. But I do remember reading that people had achieved it without issue since the 11.1 update. I’m sure there’s a thread on these forums actually. I’ll to have a search around, I’m sure there were people saying they’d managed to do it on separate internal partitions in a thread asking about installing on external drives.

Interesting, I tried finding threads related to this, but couldn't.

 

[TrueBlou]

Interesting, I tried finding threads related to this, but couldn't.

Aye, finding them can be difficult, I've tried word combinations that I figured would make sense, but no dice.

We had some fixes related to dual booting the os during the 11.1 beta, I've just logged into my dev account and checked the release notes for the 11.2 beta and there's nothing relating to that issue. So I'd like to think it's completely fixed. But it's always nice to get confirmation from someone who's actually performed it.

 

[johnalan]

Do you guys know if this is possible / safe yet? I want to debug and use two copies on macOS on my m1.

Apple did state in platforms state of the union, that this was going to be supported...

 

[ivnj]

Why would anyone need 2 coppies? Just make another user.

 

[Roy G Biv]

I had 2 APFS volumes on the internal on 11.1 without issue, and I've since updated both to 11.2. I can switch between them in System Preferences > Startup Disk. If one stops booting, should be able to boot holding power button until you get “Loading startup options" and choose other volume.

 

[senttoschool]

Why would anyone need 2 coppies? Just make another user.

Perhaps to test risky updates such as MacOS 11.2?

I know a lot of people are reporting instability after updating to 11.2, in particular external monitor issues.

 

[johnalan]

Perhaps to test risky updates such as MacOS 11.2?

I know a lot of people are reporting instability after updating to 11.2, in particular external monitor issues.

Exactly, and other reasons like testing XNU kernels or applied cryptography work.

 

[ivnj]

Can't you install it on an external to to test and leave the internal alone?

 

[johnalan]

Can't you install it on an external to to test and leave the internal alone?

Yes but they said it was supported in PSOU, and it's faster and easier for me to use the 1TB disk I have.