New M2 Pro MBP hung on setup

[gradi]

I received my 16" M2 Pro MBP 32gb/1tb today. When I lifted the screen it automatically started the setup as I expected. It asked for my language, region, and wifi password. Then it informed me it needed to update to 13.2.1. I clicked continue and it started the update. The Software Update window was displayed and the blue progress bar at the bottom moved from left to right. The blue bar arrived at the right end and the Installing System Update message appeared. It has been stuck like this for 50+ minutes. No more screen updates, nothing changing, nothing moving on the screen. I can use the trackpad to move the mouse pointer.

I have done MacOS updates many times on my M1 Mac Mini and they never took this long. Those updates were always after it had already been setup though. Naturally, I am very concerned about my brand new, very expensive Mac. I do not know if it is still working and installing or if it is hung. Those two conditions look exactly the same on the screen.

Any ideas?

 

[Mr. Dee]

Try leave it running over night. If it does not progress by morning, then something is wrong.
I would hold down the Power (Touch ID) button to power off.
Hold down the power (touch id) button, don't release until it boots into the recovery environment then reinstall macOS from there.

 

[gradi]

Thank you for your reply.

It has been 3.5 hours now and still nothing has changed.

 

[Mr. Dee]

Give the second option a try, power off, power on then see if it progresses.

 

[gradi]

I waited 5 hours and then I decided to see what would happen if I first tried your #1 suggestion. I held the power button down and it powered off. Then I pressed it again to turn it on. It restarted the setup from the beginning and went through the same steps I did 5+ hours ago. It then again said it needed to update to 13.2.1. This time the download progress bar moved very fast -- probably because it had already been downloaded earlier and was stored on the SSD. It then spent about 15-20 minutes updating and the screen would change in a rather normal way for a MacOS update. Then the setup restarted from the beginning so once again I had to reenter all the same responses. Then it asked if I wanted to migrate data from another Mac. I connected my Time Machine USB 3 external HDD and right now it is processing that and copying stuff. My 512gb Mini SSD has 361gb free so not so much stuff to transfer. It said it would take over 40 hours though! After running for about 20 minutes it now says it will take 8 hours. I expected it would take less than half an hour. We shall see.

 

[dmccloud]

I waited 5 hours and then I decided to see what would happen if I first tried your #1 suggestion. I held the power button down and it powered off. Then I pressed it again to turn it on. It restarted the setup from the beginning and went through the same steps I did 5+ hours ago. It then again said it needed to update to 13.2.1. This time the download progress bar moved very fast -- probably because it had already been downloaded earlier and was stored on the SSD. It then spent about 15-20 minutes updating and the screen would change in a rather normal way for a MacOS update. Then the setup restarted from the beginning so once again I had to reenter all the same responses. Then it asked if I wanted to migrate data from another Mac. I connected my Time Machine USB 3 external HDD and right now it is processing that and copying stuff. My 512gb Mini SSD has 361gb free so not so much stuff to transfer. It said it would take over 40 hours though! After running for about 20 minutes it now says it will take 8 hours. I expected it would take less than half an hour. We shall see.

First rule of any sort of restore/transfer between Apple devices: ignore the time, just verify that the progress bar is moving. Those time estimates are like Whose Line Is It Anyways - the numbers are made up and the minutes don't matter...

 

[Mr. Dee]

In future, I would do migration after setup. You can always launch Migration Assistant from the Utilities folder in Finder.

 

[okkibs]

Nothing surprising here, just the average MacOS Ventura software quality you can expect from this bugged release. Mac crashing on first setup fresh out of the box? Ventura is up to the challenge!

If you had posted such an experience but with a Windows laptop a couple years ago, people would have told you that it serves you right for using Windows instead of going with a superior Mac.

 

[Mr. Dee]

Nothing surprising here, just the average MacOS Ventura software quality you can expect from this bugged release. Mac crashing on first setup fresh out of the box? Ventura is up to the challenge!

If you had posted such an experience but with a Windows laptop a couple years ago, people would have told you that it serves you right for using Windows instead of going with a superior Mac.

I really think Apple needs to slow down the software revisions and let some software versions cross over to new hardware revs. Look at when Jaguar had a 10.2.7 release just for the PowerMac G5 or iOS 6 for iPhone 4s and 5. The software is so commoditized now certainly they can have a version stretched over a couple years. Nothing wrong having macOS 14 run on a MacBook Pro M3 and M4 and iOS 17 on iPhone 15 and 16. Have point updates that might exploit whatever new feature that exist in the new hardware.

 

[gradi]

First rule of any sort of restore/transfer between Apple devices: ignore the time, just verify that the progress bar is moving. Those time estimates are like Whose Line Is It Anyways - the numbers are made up and the minutes don't matter...

It ended up taking about an hour.

 

[gradi]

In future, I would do migration after setup. You can always launch Migration Assistant from the Utilities folder in Finder.

A few days ago in another thread it was recommended to not use Migration Assistant for a new Mac, but to do the transfer during setup. My original plan was what you suggested, but then I saw this thread and decided to do it at setup:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/if-i-purchase-a-new-mbp-will-migration-assistant-transfer-everything-100.2380452/

I guess it is all just opinions and everyone has their own.

It ended up taking an hour to do the migration step. Three of my Topaz programs though were screwed up in the transfer. When I ran them each one got a popup window saying they were corrupt and were moved to the trash. I will need to download those from Topaz again and reinstall. The other Topaz program was okay though. Lightroom Classic, Photoshop, Xnview MP, and FreeFileSync transferred and are working.

Thank you for your help yesterday!

 

[gradi]

Yesterday after the migration, but while it was finishing up the setup there was a popup window that said something about the network name for my new MBP was already being used so it would give a new name. I do not recall exactly what the 2 names it showed were, but it was obvious from the name that it was the name of my Mini and the new name that was created was exactly the same name with -2 appended. I do not know what these names are used for and looking through System Preferences I cannot find the names in the Network settings on either the MBP or the Mini. I am not sure if it even matters, but it is strange that MacOS named this MBP with the same automatic name with Mini in it. I assume it stupidly copied that from the migration. I am not sure what to do about it.

 

[Mr. Dee]

A few days ago in another thread it was recommended to not use Migration Assistant for a new Mac, but to do the transfer during setup. My original plan was what you suggested, but then I saw this thread and decided to do it at setup:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/if-i-purchase-a-new-mbp-will-migration-assistant-transfer-everything-100.2380452/

I guess it is all just opinions and everyone has their own.

It ended up taking an hour to do the migration step. Three of my Topaz programs though were screwed up in the transfer. When I ran them each one got a popup window saying they were corrupt and were moved to the trash. I will need to download those from Topaz again and reinstall. The other Topaz program was okay though. Lightroom Classic, Photoshop, Xnview MP, and FreeFileSync transferred and are working.

Thank you for your help yesterday!

Something has changed in how macOS is handling apps. I remember the days when people use to go to the Apple Store and copy the Microsoft Office folder from OS X computer and copy to their Mac at home. You can’t do that anymore. There are some unusual dependencies in newer versions that make migration not what it use to be.

 

[gradi]

Apparently, the Mac Setup Assistant getting stuck is yet another long time bug that Apple will not fix.

How to Fix Mac Stuck on Setting Up Your Mac

https://appuals.com/how-to-fix-mac-stuck-on-setting-up-your-mac/

To start off, whenever you either install a newer version of macOS or boot up a new mac machine, the mac automatically turns on what is called the Setup Assistant. This Setup Assistant basically does the initial configuration for you by asking for your country, Wi-Fi network, language, and much more. During this initial phase, you are displayed the “Setting Up Your Mac” screen. However, as we mentioned, in some cases the screen gets stuck. This means that the installer won’t go ahead and you won’t be able to interact or use the mac during this period. This is a pretty common issue and nothing to worry about.

It often happens to various users but the good thing is that it can be easily fixed.



Long standing never fixed basic bugs that users must live with and constantly be annoyed by is just part of the Apple Tax, I guess. I keep finding them. Not obscure things, basic things. Not a good way to go for a company that if it was a country would be the 8th richest in the world.

Apple’s GDP Makes it 8th Richest Country in the World

https://www.macobserver.com/news/apple-eighth-richest-country/

Apple has 165k employees. Surely a couple could spend a few weeks to fix some of the simple, basic bugs that have been around forever.

It just goes to show the whole "it just works" stuff was just good marketing.

 

[gradi]

I just discovered something weird about my new MBP that I received yesterday. Looking at About it shows my Limited Warranty expiration date is exactly the same date as my Mini waranty expiration date (which I bought last year). That can't be right. My Mini is nearing the end of the one year warranty, but now my brand new MBP shows the warranty for it will expire on exactly the same day a few months from now as my Mini warranty.

Anyone know what I can do about this?

 

[Mr. Dee]

I just discovered something weird about my new MBP that I received yesterday. Looking at About it shows my Limited Warranty expiration date is exactly the same date as my Mini waranty expiration date (which I bought last year). That can't be right. My Mini is nearing the end of the one year warranty, but now my brand new MBP shows the warranty for it will expire on exactly the same day a few months from now as my Mini warranty.

Anyone know what I can do about this?

They were planning to release these back in October, so maybe that has something to do with it. Apple is so big and complex these days it’s probably hard for them to maintain the legacy they once had.

 

[gradi]

They were planning to release these back in October, so maybe that has something to do with it. Apple is so big and complex these days it’s probably hard for them to maintain the legacy they once had.

My Mini I bought last year in July and my MBP that I got yesterday both show the same day in July 2023 as the warranty expiration. It is hard to believe that the exact day is a coincidence. Yet another bug.

How in the world do unsophisticated computer users ever manage with Apple? I have no idea. While not an expert, I have used many computers over a few decades and yet basic, confusing, no-idea-how-to-proceed problems crop up very often on Macs. I can only imagine Apple must get tons of returns and requests for refunds by people who just want something that works. This is the most expensive computer I have ever bought...

 

[Technerd108]

My Mini I bought last year in July and my MBP that I got yesterday both show the same day in July 2023 as the warranty expiration. It is hard to believe that the exact day is a coincidence. Yet another bug.

How in the world do unsophisticated computer users ever manage with Apple? I have no idea. While not an expert, I have used many computers over a few decades and yet basic, confusing, no-idea-how-to-proceed problems crop up very often on Macs. I can only imagine Apple must get tons of returns and requests for refunds by people who just want something that works. This is the most expensive computer I have ever bought...

Did you buy it from a 3rd party or from Apple?

Your entire experience seems off. I don't use backup programs to restore any device I have because I have found they all have issues and bugs.

Best thing is to start fresh and add all your programs and settings. I know it is a pain but generally solves problems before they happen.

I would reinstall MacOS in recovery, wipe the drive and start over. If you still have problems then you may have a lemon machine and will have to get a replacement.

Hours setting up a new M2 MBP is not right. My M2 Air was super fast to setup and I would imagine the M2 MBP would be even faster.

Hope you get everything sorted out so you can enjoy your new Mac.

 

[gradi]

Did you buy it from a 3rd party or from Apple?

Your entire experience seems off. I don't use backup programs to restore any device I have because I have found they all have issues and bugs.

Best thing is to start fresh and add all your programs and settings. I know it is a pain but generally solves problems before they happen.

I would reinstall MacOS in recovery, wipe the drive and start over. If you still have problems then you may have a lemon machine and will have to get a replacement.

Hours setting up a new M2 MBP is not right. My M2 Air was super fast to setup and I would imagine the M2 MBP would be even faster.

Hope you get everything sorted out so you can enjoy your new Mac.

I bought it from the Apple website -- as my previous 3 Macs were also bought.

Yes, I would agree with you that my whole experience seems off. To put it mildly. Nothing I have experienced so far indicates any hardware problems though. It all seems to be yet more buggy Apple software.

I am thinking along the same lines as you. I am not clear about how exactly I go about reinstalling MacOS in recovery because I have never done anything like that before. I will search to try to find out, but if you have a link that explains what I need to do then that would be very appreciated. At this point I am willing to do that if it would fix the strange warranty date issue and the network name issue that I mentioned above.

If I do as you suggest then do you think it would be okay to use the Migration Assistant afterwards (not during setup)? I wonder if following the Apple suggested and preferred method during setup with their buggy software is the root of the problems I am having?

I realize, of course, manually downloading and reinstalling all my apps, getting them activated and logged in, manually copying all my data in various folders, redoing my Mac configurations in various places in System Settings that mostly I do not recall because they were set up over time during use of the Mini, etc. would be the cleanest way, but it makes me tired thinking about it because the initial part would take hours and hours and then over days I would find things that were not configured properly and with Ventura it is all in different places than Monterey. Gives me a headache thinking about the hassle.

After all the pain of the last 24 hours it seems to be running well, but I am very concerned about the warranty date thing.

 

[Technerd108]

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

You can use macOS Recovery, your computer's built-in recovery system, to reinstall the Mac operating system. Reinstalling macOS doesn't remove your personal data.

support.apple.com

Call Apple support about the warranty. They will rectify it. Since you bought it from them they have a record of your purchase. That way you will know it will be correct.

It is a hassle when these issues happen but I think it is best to do a clean install. Just do it when you aren't tired. But if you really don't want to do that....

Of course you can reinstall and then after setup try the migration assistant. If that fails then you know what you have to do.

 

[gradi]

Thank you. I had just found that same page after searching.

When you say "wipe the drive" is there something specific I need to do? That page says:

Reinstalling macOS does not remove data from your Mac.

 

[Technerd108]

Use Disk Utility to erase a Mac with Apple silicon - Apple Support

How to erase (format) the built-in startup disk of a Mac with Apple silicon.

support.apple.com

Sorry wrong link..Yes using disk utility you delete the drive Mac os was installed on then reinstall MacOS otherwise just reinstalling you will have the same problems.

 

[gradi]

Update: The warranty date is correct now. I reinstalled MacOS and now the warranty date is shown correctly as February 2024. Whew!

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

I decided to try the simpler thing first and if that did not work then I would try the more complicated thing (Disk Utility and wipe everything). Fortunately, I did not have to go nuclear and destroy everything. Fingers crossed that I am at the end of the problems.

As far as I can tell all is working well now. I have my 2 monitors connected, my wired mouse, and my 2tb external SSD.