Cannot Boot From External Drive

(I am Reposting MY question from the MacOS Sonoma Forum )

I am using a 2023 Mac Mini M2 (256GB SSD-8GB RAM)

I am trying to install MacOS Sonoma on an external SSD to use Daily. Whenever I try to do a fresh install or clone on the external drive. It always restarts twice and goes into Recovery Mode with the error: “The current instance of macOS does not match what was expected by Apple. Please reinstall MacOS.” Whenever I try to reinstall, it gives the same error. I’ve tried everything from different cloning software like SuperDuper and CCC. With no luck, I even erased the external drive. PLEASE HELP, ITS URGENT

Mac mini (M2, 2023)

Posted on Mar 26, 2024 9:04 AM

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3 replies

Limnos

Level 10

424,463 points

Mar 26, 2024 9:11 AM in response to arav_301

I can't contribute much other than I use CCC and I remember them saying that post Big Sur, Apple made cloning a lot harder and more uncertain. You may wish to read CCC's web site and see if they have any suggestions.

den.thed

Level 10

89,350 points

Mar 26, 2024 12:50 PM in response to arav_301

See if anything at > Use an external storage device as a Mac startup disk - Apple Support helps.

Another option if your Mac mini has a small internal drive and you need more storage space...?

Is to startup and run macOS and other App's from the Mac mini's internal SSD drive.

Then move your Photos, Music and/or iMovie Libraries to the external SSD.

Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support

Change where your music files are stored on Mac - Apple Support

Move your iMovie for Mac library - Apple Support

tbirdvet

Level 6

16,795 points

Mar 26, 2024 1:07 PM in response to arav_301

See my response in the same posting under Sonoma.

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Cannot Boot From External Drive