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User profile for user: Hridayx24
Hridayx24 Author
User level: Level 1
13 points

Reinstalling macOS on 2018 MBA

Hi, I have an old MBA from 2018 with the Intel Core i5 (I'll attach an image below)One of my friends gave it to me and he had chromeOS Flex installed on it. I restarted the device while pressing CMD&R so I could reinstall macOS but it keeps saying it cannot connect to recovery server. I have reset the date and my Wi-Fi has no issues. With no success, I have no options but to ask you guys for support. (PS) If I need another computer for the process, the only other device I have is a 2020 M1 MBA.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 14.0

Posted on Aug 28, 2023 2:44 PM

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User profile for user: Encryptor5000
Encryptor5000
User level: Level 5
7,568 points

Posted on Aug 28, 2023 8:49 PM

Hi Hridayx24,


Thanks for the detailed post!


By default, the T2 Security Chip in your 2018 MacBook Air only allows starting up from internal storage and Internet Recovery. However, considering that your friend installed chromeOS Flex on it, they probably set the Startup Security settings to allow any OS to boot, and allow booting from external media.


Try these steps to see if your Mac will accept a bootable installer. You'll need your M1 MacBook Air, a 16 GB USB drive, and a fast Internet connection for this: Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support


If that doesn't work, try these steps:


  1. Try booting your 2018 MacBook Air from Internet Recovery using a different Wi-Fi network, or using an Ethernet (wired) connection.
  2. If all else fails, you can fully erase your 2018 Air and restore the T2 firmware on it by restoring it in Apple Configurator with your M1 Air: Revive or restore an Intel-based Mac using Apple Configurator - Apple Support (CA)


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User profile for user: Encryptor5000
Encryptor5000
User level: Level 5
7,568 points

Aug 28, 2023 8:49 PM in response to Hridayx24

Hi Hridayx24,


Thanks for the detailed post!


By default, the T2 Security Chip in your 2018 MacBook Air only allows starting up from internal storage and Internet Recovery. However, considering that your friend installed chromeOS Flex on it, they probably set the Startup Security settings to allow any OS to boot, and allow booting from external media.


Try these steps to see if your Mac will accept a bootable installer. You'll need your M1 MacBook Air, a 16 GB USB drive, and a fast Internet connection for this: Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support


If that doesn't work, try these steps:


  1. Try booting your 2018 MacBook Air from Internet Recovery using a different Wi-Fi network, or using an Ethernet (wired) connection.
  2. If all else fails, you can fully erase your 2018 Air and restore the T2 firmware on it by restoring it in Apple Configurator with your M1 Air: Revive or restore an Intel-based Mac using Apple Configurator - Apple Support (CA)


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Reinstalling macOS on 2018 MBA

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