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Restored MacBook Pro and now can't install Mac OS

I restored my 2014 MacBook Pro by following Apples instructions as I am selling it. After erasing all data etc on the device, I am now unable to reinstall Mac OS. A pop up says "This item is temporarily unavailable. Try again later".


How can I fix this?

Posted on Oct 7, 2020 7:58 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 7, 2020 8:08 PM

Hard to tell you what to fix since you haven't provided much information. If the computer is from 2012 or later, then you can try an Internet Recovery:


Internet/Network Recovery of El Capitan or Later on a Clean Disk


You will need a fast, working Internet connection, preferably, Ethernet. If you must use Wi-Fi, you will be asked to select your network and enter the network password. This procedure will install the original version of macOS that came pre-installed from the factory.


  1. Restart the computer. Immediately, at or before the chime, hold down the (Command-Option-Shift-R) keys until a globe appears.
  2. The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
  3. Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
  4. When Disk Utility loads select the target drive (out-dented entry w/type and size) from the side list.
  5. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
  7. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs, only if installing Mojave or Catalina ) or Mac OS Extended, (Journaled.)
  8. Provide a volume name, usually "Macintosh HD."
  9. Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
  10. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  11. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


If your model is from an earlier year, then you will need the Software Restore DVDs that came pre-installed from the factory.


What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac

Factory reset of your Mac - Apple Support



1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 7, 2020 8:08 PM in response to saskia56

Hard to tell you what to fix since you haven't provided much information. If the computer is from 2012 or later, then you can try an Internet Recovery:


Internet/Network Recovery of El Capitan or Later on a Clean Disk


You will need a fast, working Internet connection, preferably, Ethernet. If you must use Wi-Fi, you will be asked to select your network and enter the network password. This procedure will install the original version of macOS that came pre-installed from the factory.


  1. Restart the computer. Immediately, at or before the chime, hold down the (Command-Option-Shift-R) keys until a globe appears.
  2. The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
  3. Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
  4. When Disk Utility loads select the target drive (out-dented entry w/type and size) from the side list.
  5. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
  7. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs, only if installing Mojave or Catalina ) or Mac OS Extended, (Journaled.)
  8. Provide a volume name, usually "Macintosh HD."
  9. Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
  10. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  11. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


If your model is from an earlier year, then you will need the Software Restore DVDs that came pre-installed from the factory.


What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac

Factory reset of your Mac - Apple Support



Restored MacBook Pro and now can't install Mac OS

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