Cannot install Ventura during recovery on iMac M1 2021

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Level 1

9 points

Cannot install Ventura during recovery on iMac M1 2021

I have erased my Mac M1 prior to selling it.

When it restarts in recovery mode, it gives the option of reinstalling Ventura and eventually fails saying that the operation cannot be completed due to an error whilst installing..

I have tried everything I can think of. First Aid on drive hasn't detected any issues, it is connected via Ethernet cable and not Wifi, etc.

I need to get this done quickly as I already have a buyer, and I've googled everything I can think of but all solutions I've read have failed to date. I have plugged the keyboard directing into one of the USB-C ports too, although I don't know if that works and if it needs Bluetooth connectivity, but I can't imagine the keyboard would be an issue due to the fact the process runs for around 20-30 minutes, gets to a certain stage and the the time remaining drops suddenly to 10 minutes and the error appears shortly after.

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Oct 18, 2023 10:19 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Barney-15E

Level 10

121,238 points

Oct 19, 2023 03:51 AM in response to SMTS

SMTS wrote:

I have erased my Mac M1 prior to selling it.

How did you erase it?

Erasing the entire drive will render it useless.

Revive or restore a Mac with Apple silicon using Apple Configurator - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Owl-53

Level 10

100,105 points

Oct 19, 2023 04:33 AM in response to SMTS

If using a Bootable Installer of Ventura.

You are going to be required changing the Security Setting to Allow Booting the Silicon Computer from an External Drive

link below

Change security settings on the startup disk of a Mac with Apple Silicon

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Answer 3

Owl-53

Level 10

100,105 points

Oct 19, 2023 05:12 AM in response to Barney-15E

Perhaps and I mean this in a friendly manner

The below only applies to " Before a legacy system extension (also known as a kernel extension or kext) can be installed on a Mac computer with Apple silicon, the security policy must be changed to Reduced Security. "

Got it and hopeful hence forth 😎

Select one of the following security options:

- Full Security: Ensures that only your current OS, or signed operating system software currently trusted by Apple, can run. This mode requires a network connection at software installation time.
- Reduced Security: Allows any version of signed operating system software ever trusted by Apple to run.

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Answer 4

SMTS Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 19, 2023 03:55 AM in response to Barney-15E

I used the Erase Assistant and have followed the instructions to a tee in respect of then rebooting, which it does automatically, into Recovery Mode. It isn't rendered useless as it comes up with the Recovery screen and begins to commence the Ventura installation. The time remaining begins at around 2 hrs 55 mins but when it gets to approximately 2 hrs 30 mins it then suddenly drops to 11 minutes, and when it gets to just after 10 minutes remaining it gives the error saying the operation could not be completed.

I am going to try creating a USB boot drive as I think it might be that it is defaulting to Ventura (which it was running) and not the OS it was originally shipped with (or at least that's what I've just read online has resolved the issue for others).

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Answer 5

Barney-15E

Level 10

121,238 points

Oct 19, 2023 04:43 AM in response to Owl-53

You keep posting that and it is completely untrue. Apple Silicon is not T2. You do not need to change any settings unless you need to boot from an unsigned (unapproved) operating system. Ventura is signed, sealed, and current.

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Answer 6

SMTS Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 19, 2023 06:10 AM in response to Owl-53

Ok, thanks all, I had (coincidentally), just read about Apple silicon not requiring the boot drive permissions changing, so it wasn't a big problem and I appreciate all the replies. I shall update on whether the boot drive or revive/restore option works.

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Answer 7

SMTS Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 19, 2023 10:50 AM in response to Owl-53

Ok, update.

It is now running but should not be attempted with a Big Sur bootable USB in my experience.

The Big Sur OS did install, but creates problems during the configuration of the set up. Firstly, the Magic Mouse does not function. Secondly, the keyboard will not respond properly. You can try tabbing through options and using accessibility shortcuts (Option-Space for Enter/Return) but even they fail at the Apple ID stage when you cannot tab beyond the second option so therefore cannot skip set up.

I created a Ventura bootable USB instead and this worked first time. Flew through the set up without issue and the machine is now operating correctly.

I think the issue might be something to do with a bug I have now read about with Big Sur on M1 when attempting reinstallation, seemingly affecting keyboard/mouse functionality. A wired keyboard might have overcome this but I have read reports from people saying it didn't.

However, as I said, the Ventura bootable USB has fixed the problem. What is very odd about that is that it was Ventura I was attempted to do the Recovery installation of.

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