A bug in the macOS recovery can disable MacBook Air, MacBook Pro or Mac mini with Apple’s M1 chip: The reinstallation may get stuck with a message about an error in “Personalization”, as Apple now does – in response to corresponding problem reports from users – in a support document.

Workaround without a second Mac The English version of the warning dialog reads “An error occurred while preparing the update. Failed to personalize the software update. Please try again”, in this case reinstallation of the operating system is no longer possible via the in macOS integrated recovery mode possible, as first buyers noticed last week. So far, a complete recovery of the Mac has been traded as a way out – this requires a second Mac.

But even without a second Mac, a Mac that is paralyzed during reinstallation can be disabled Put the M1-Mac back into operation, as Apple explains in the support document that was previously only available in English. To do this, users must use the command line in the macOS recovery and follow a guide consisting of a total of 17 steps. If help is needed or the workaround does not help, users should contact Apple Support.

Bootable USB stick also helps Alternatively, it is also possible to use a bootable USB stick or a bootable installation program to run macOS 11 Big Sur on an affected Reinstall Mac. The boot stick must of course already be presented or freshly created using another Mac.

Apple’s support document suggests that the reinstallation problems can only arise if on the ARM Mac the pre-installed macOS 11. 0 is still running. According to user reports, however, there could still be problems with the recovery with macOS 11. 0.1.

(lbe)