That’s not all, now macOS Sierra 10.12.6 Recovery & Internet Recovery are also broken! Keep in mind, the is NOT the date and time issue. This is different issue that can be reproduced every single time. If attempt to install Sierra in recovery, the full installer will download (4.7GB) and then fail with this error:
An error occurred while preparing the installation. Try running this application again.
What the heck could this be? What’s going on?
Table of contents
What is the root problem?
How to fix the issue?
Fix #1 Boot to a NEWER version macOS Internet Recovery!
Fix #2 Create a macOS Sierra 10.12.6 bootable installer USB (NOTE: this has additional problems as thecreateinstallmediainstaller is BROKEN!)
Fix #3 Download the ONLY working version of macOS Sierra from Apple to recovery and use it to install Sierra!
Contrary to popular belief, Apple did not take down the High Sierra Internet Recovery server.
Since the beginning of 2023, macOS High Sierra Internet and local recovery broke. An investigation with OpenCore Legacy Patcher Co-Developer dhinak
Mid 2023, I started to see multiple posts about macOS 10.13 High Sierra recovery not working. We all know about the certificate expiring and date and time issues, but this issue was DIFFERENT. Near the end of 2023, I started investigating the issue. I was able to reproduce it every single time. Sure enough, Local hard drive command R and Internet Recovery are broken with the same “The Recovery Server Could Not Be Contacted” error. What does this mean and can it be fixed?
While I was able to identify the issue and reproduce it, I was not able to come up with an actual fix other than the #2 fix listed below and creating a macOS High Sierra Bootable install USB. Wonder if you only have 1 Mac and can’t create a recovery disk? You are stuck!
So I reached out to OpenCore Legacy Patcher co-author dhinakg. For those that don’t know dhinakg is an expert in all things involving Apple Software Update Server. After some time, he replied with the root issue and a perfect workaround solution! Jump to #1 for an explanation of what the problem is and # for the URL fix.
Thank You
I would like to thank dhinakg for helping me investigate this issue! You can follow him on twitter here = https://twitter.com/dhinakg
Up next? macOS Sierra Recovery install is also broken! who knows if we can also fix this issue.
My full demonstration walkthrough video on how to fix the recovery issue.
Table of contents
What is the root problem?
How to fix the issue?
Fix #1 Boot to a newer version macOS internet Recovery!
Fix #2 Create a macOS High Sierra bootable installer USB
Starting in early December, macOS Big Sur Internet Recovery was replaced by Catalina as the newest version available.
UPDATE 01/10/21: Apple has restored access to macOS Big Sur Recovery and it is now available to all compatible Intel Macs again!
Some of the first reports came from MacAdmins Slack members Calvin Cliff, Marcus Ransom and Eric Holtam. They confirmed that only Catalina Internet Recovery was available on Big Sur Compatible Macs. Any Mac that has Big Sur installed on it should be able to boot Big Sur Internet Recovery.
Note: This issue is only for Intel Macs. Apple Silicon M1 Macs do not have Internet Recovery.
Mr. Macintosh Video that goes over the Big Sur internet recovery issue.
How is the macOS internet recovery version determined?
It all depends on what model Mac you have and the keyboard command used.
From Apple
By default, macOS Recovery installs the latest macOS that was previously installed on your Mac.* You can get other macOS versions using one of these methods: On an Intel-based Mac, you can use Option-Command-R at startup to upgrade to the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.
Exceptions
If macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later was never previously installed, you will receive the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
If your Mac has the Apple T2 Security Chip and you never installed a macOS update, you will receive the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904
If you use Option-Command-R you should get the latest macOS version of Internet Recovery*
2013-2017 Mac = Big Sur 11.1
2018-2020 T2 Macs = Latest version of OS that is installed. (Example if Catalina 10.15.5 is installed, you will get 10.15.5 recovery) The version is based on the version of BridgeOS Installed.
Another example would be if you have a 2019 T2 Macbook Pro with Big Sur 11.0.1 installed. If you used Option-Command-R you should get 11.0.1 Big Sur Recovery.
Problem – All Macs are now getting Catalina Internet Recovery.
Why did Apple make this change? I didn’t report on this earlier because I figured it was a server side issue. Apple would probably fix it pretty quickly. The problem is it’s been almost a month now. Could this be a permanent change or is Big Sur Internet Recovery still having issues?
MacAdmins forum user gepeto42 had some information to share on this issue.
Apple is aware, they are telling me it is a server side issue that is being worked on right now. No ETA at all, on my side I will try when I get back from Holidays around Jan 4-5.
gepeto42
This sounds like Apple is aware and is working on fixing this issue. I will keep you updated as more info comes in.
How to Reinstall macOS on your Apple Silicon Mac. – Everything you need to know!!
Apple Silicon M1 Mac Recovery has changed! The interface, options and the way you reinstall macOS is all new. I will show you everything you need to know.
UPDATED 09/25/21
Apple Silicon Macs started to arrive in customers hands on Tuesday November 17th, 2020. One of the first things we need to understand is how to reinstall or factory erase macOS on Apple Silicon. All the old rules that you had to follow with Intel Macs has now changed. I will show you 3 different ways to reinstall macOS Big Sur on a Apple Silicon Mac.
If you are looking for more information on Apple Silicon Macs, I’ve wrote an article going over everything you need to know.
Right off the bat, we need to understand that Mac Internet Recovery on Apple Silicon is DEAD! Finally you don’t have to worry about IR errors and the problems that come with them.
Internet Recovery will still remain for Intel based Macs. For Apple Silicon we now have 4 different ways to reinstall macOS.
1. macOS Recovery = First line of recovery.
2. System Recovery = Hidden partition for when normal macOS recovery is not available.
3. macOS Big Sur USB Installer Drive. = Boot to a createinstallmedia based Big Sur full installer.
4. macOS System Restore via DFU mode + Apple Configurator 2.
Reinstall macOS on Apple Silicon Table of Contents
1. macOS Recovery
2. macOS System Recovery
3. Both macOS Recovery and System Recovery are not available?
4. macOS Big Sur USB Install Drive
5. How to Use Apple Configurator 2 to reinstall macOS on Apple Silicon
6. Apple Silicon Security Policy
7. Apple Silicon Compatible Versions of macOS
8. Can I downgrade macOS on Apple Silicon?
9. Where can I get macOS ISPW Firmware files?
10. Signed? What does that mean?
1. Apple Silicon macOS Recovery
Apple Silicon macOS Recovery is almost exactly the same as it is on Intel Based Macs. One of the major things that has changed is the way that you get into macOS Recovery. Instead of having to remember a bunch of keyboard commands you can now use the power button to get right to the boot picker macOS recovery menu!
Mr. Macintosh video on how to get to the macOS recovery menu on Apple Silicon Macs
Mr. Macintosh How to – Boot to recovery + Erase & Reinstall macOS on your Apple Silicon M1 MacBook Pro & MacBook Air!
Mr. Macintosh How to Video – Boot to Recovery + Erase & Reinstall macOS on Apple Silicon Mac Mini M1. I will also show you how to boot from a Big Sur USB installer to reinstall macOS twice as fast!
The video above shows you how to factory restore / erase your Apple Silicon Mac and reinstall macOS.
First line of defense, is macOS Recovery.
2. Apple Silicon System Recovery
Apple Silicon System Recovery is a new hidden recovery option in addition to macOS Recovery. If for some reason macOS Recovery becomes corrupt, System recovery will load which is the same as macOS recovery. You can use it to reinstall macOS and macOS Recovery.
3. Both macOS Recovery and System Recovery are not available?
If something serious goes wrong with your Mac and it can’t boot into macOS you will see a new startup screen. (The blinking folder icon has been retired). You will now see a screen like this
Apple Silicon Startup problems – Prohibited sign – Credit Martin Nobel – https://twitter.com/martinnobel_/status/1321645315502432256
This screen has a new Apple Support URL support.apple.com/mac/restore which will tell you that you need to restore macOS firmware via Apple Configurator 2 and a 2nd mac running 10.15.6 or newer. Restoration will now work the same on the Mac as it does on iOS iPhones and iPads.
4. Apple Silicon External Boot Options – USB Installer
On Apple Silicon external boot remains, but has changed.
External Boot for the macOS installer is now enabled by default
You no longer need to enter Security Options to enable External Boot!
Now you can build out an USB Installer of macOS Big Sur and boot your Apple Silicon Mac to it.
Mr. Macintosh Video on how to create a macOS Big Sur USB Install Disk for Apple Silicon or Intel.
Mr. Macintosh Video on how to use a USB Installer to reinstall macOS on Apple Silicon!You can now boot a USB macOS installer without enabling external boot in Security options! It’s enabled by default.
5. How to Use Apple Configurator 2 to reinstall macOS on Apple Silicon
If all options to reinstall macOS fail you can now use Apple Configurator 2.
1. Revive = Will restore macOS Recovery Only. (User data remains)
2. Restore = Will will download macOS and macOS recovery and reinstall them (THIS WILL ALSO ERASE YOUR HARD DRIVE)
This will help with rapid deployment in lab / school situations.
My Mac T2 BridgeOS Restore article will show you this process. It has not changed except for one thing. In the future the “RESTORE” option will automatically download the newest macOS ISPW file for you and install it. For now you will need to download it and and drag it over to the DFU icon.
Mr. Macintosh quick overview video on how to boot your Apple Silicon Mac to DFU mode. I will also show you how to reinstall macOS in 10 minutes with Apple Configurator 2 and a 2nd Mac.
How to reinstall macOS on a M1 Mac Mini UPDATED VIDEO!
Mr. Macintosh Deep Dive video that goes over the entire process and explains how the enter DFU and Apple Configurator 2 works + Troubleshooting!
How to install macOS on multiple Apple Silicon M1 Macs in about 10 minutes!
I’ve also written an article that goes over the entire new DFU + Apple Configurator 2 Apple Silicon Restore process below.
1.Full Security = “iOS Security” – Only the latest signed version of macOS can be installed on an Apple Silicon Mac.
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.
WWDC 2020
2. Reduced Security = Any version of macOS that was signed by Apple.
Reduced Security
Allows any version of signed operating system software ever trusted by Apple to run.
WWDC 2020
With the new Apple Silicon Security Policy, you can set a security policy for each container! On an Intel based Mac the security policy would be set on the entire system.
New Apple Silicon Security Policy can be set differently on each container.
7. Apple Silicon Compatible Versions of macOS
Will you be able to install older versions of macOS? A quick review;
Full Security = iOS based security, only the latest signed version of macOS can run on the system.
Reduced Security = Any version of macOS that was signed by Apple can run on Apple Silicon
Note: The shipping OS version will be the oldest OS available to install
8. Can I downgrade macOS on Apple Silicon?
Yes!
Note. The “Shipping version” of macOS on Apple Silicon is the lowest OS that can be installed. An example of this is the M1 iMac which came with 11.3. You can not install Big Sur 11.2 on it.
9. Where can I get macOS ISPW Firmware files?
I started a new database page that will keep track of all macOS Apple Silicone IPSW Firmware files.
Starting with Apple Silicon, macOS OTA (Over The Air) Firmware will be signed by Apple. This means that they control which version of macOS can be installed on your Mac. The difference this time around is that Apple gives us the option to turn Signed Checking OFF. So you will still be able to install older versions of macOS.
Mac Transition to Apple Silicon – Everything you Need to Know!
Apple Silicon Macs will be here soon!
Apple said the first Apple Silicon Mac will launch before the end of 2020. The launch date is quickly approaching, now is the time to get up to speed! I will be following my “Everything you need to know” format from my previous articles.
This article will be updated as new Apple Siliconinformation comes in.
The feedback that I’ve received from these has been really great. The big takeaway is that everyone really likes how all the information is all in one place. You are not wasting time looking for that one article, command or link.
NOTE: Everything in this article is public knowledge from Apple. Once the first Apple Silicon Mac ships, I will post more in depth articles.
Apple Silicon changes the way in which we enter recovery on the Mac. In the past, we had to remember multiple keyboard commands. On Apple Silicon, all you need to do is hold down the power button. In a few seconds, you will see the new Apple Silicon Startup Manager.
7. How to use the new start manager on Apple Silicon
To enter Apple Silicon Startup manager follow these steps.
1. Hold down the power button
2. You will see the message “Continue holding for startup options”
3. The next message will say “Loading Startup Options…”
4. You will now see the new Apple Silicon Startup Manager.
Apple Silicon Mac Startup Manager Options
The startup manager will show you the main boot disk (Macintosh HD) Boot icon and Recovery Options. Click “Options” to boot into macOS Recovery.
8. Internet Recovery is dead on Apple Silicon
Have you had trouble booting into Internet Recovery in the past? You are not alone. Now with Apple Silicon, Internet recovery is officially retired. It will still remain for Intel based Macs. For Apple Silicon we now have 3 different ways to reinstall macOS.
1. macOS Recovery = First line of recovery.
2. System Recovery = Hidden partition for when normal macOS recovery is not available.
3. macOS System Restore via DFU mode + Apple Configurator 2.
9. Apple Silicon macOS Recovery
Apple Silicon macOS Recovery is almost exactly the same as it is on Intel Based Macs. The only difference is Security Policy options was moved from the Menu bar to the “Startup Disk”.
First line of defense, is macOS Recovery.
10. Apple Silicon System Recovery
Apple Silicon System Recovery is a new hidden recovery option in addition to macOS Recovery. If for some reason macOS Recovery becomes corrupt, System recovery will load which is the same as macOS recovery. You can use it to reinstall macOS and macOS Recovery.
System Recovery is a hidden non deletable container. It’s a new way to reinstall macOS when recovery is not available.
11. Both macOS Recovery and System Recovery are not available?
The blinking folder icon is now retired. If the Mac is not bootable, you will now see an old friend.
The sad Mac returns when Macintosh HD, Recovery and System recovery are not available.
12. Apple Silicon External Boot Options – USB Installer
On Apple Silicon external boot remains, but has changed.
External Boot for the macOS installer is now enabled by default
You no longer need to enter Security Options to enable External Boot!
You can build out a USB Installer of macOS Big Sur and boot your Apple Silicon Mac to it. The big difference that ONLY the installer is available for a reinstall of the OS. You can NOT erase the drive in this mode.
You can now boot a USB macOS installer without enabling external boot in Security options! It’s enabled by default.
13. How to Use Apple Configurator 2 to reinstall macOS on Apple Silicon
If all options to reinstall macOS fail you can now use Apple Configurator 2.
This will help with rapid deployment in lab / school situations.
14. Apple Silicon Security Policy
We know that an Apple Silicon Mac will have 2 Security modes.
Apple Silicon Security Policy menu
1.Full Security = “iOS Security” – Only the latest signed version of macOS can be installed on an Apple Silicon Mac.
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.
WWDC 2020
2. Reduced Security = Any version of macOS that was signed by Apple.
Reduced Security
Allows any version of signed operating system software ever trusted by Apple to run.
WWDC 2020
With the new Apple Silicon Security Policy, you can set a security policy for each container! On an Intel based Mac the security policy would be set on the entire system.
New Apple Silicon Security Policy can be set differently on each container.
15. Apple Silicon Compatible Versions of macOS
Will you be able to install older versions of macOS? A quick review;
Full Security = iOS based security, only the latest signed version of macOS can run on the system.
Reduced Security = Any version of macOS that was signed by Apple can run on Apple Silicon
Note: The shipping OS version will be the oldest OS available to install.
16. Can I downgrade macOS on Apple Silicon?
Yes! But only with your Apple Silicon Security Policy set to “Reduced Security”.
17. How to use SMB Mac Sharing Mode (Replaces Target Disk Mode – TDM)
Target Disk Mode has been retired on Apple Silicon. It was replaced with Apple Silicon Mac Sharing Mode.
Boot to macOS recovery and then select “Mac Sharing Mode” you will be able to transfer data over USB-C cable. You will need to authenticate with a SecureToken User that is on the host Mac.
Mac Sharing MOde replaces Target Disk Mode.
18. Apple Mac Mini Developer Transition Kit (DTK)
New Mac Developer Transition Kit with Apple Silicon, a comprehensive set of resources, and one-on-one technical support, you’ll have everything you need to get your Universal apps ready before Apple Silicon Macs become available to customers.– developer.apple.com/programs/universal/
Universal App Quick Start Program – Get your Universal apps ready. The Universal App Quick Start Program includes all the tools, resources, and support you need to build, test, and optimize your next-generation Universal apps for macOS Big Sur. – developer.apple.com/programs/universal/apply/
5. What’s New for Enterprise and Education WWDC 2020 June 2020 (v1.0) (AppleSeed Account Required)– appleseed.apple.com
6. AppleSeed – macOS 11.0 Big Sur Beta Release Notes(AppleSeed Account Required) – appleseed.apple.com
23. WWDC20 Video Links
Port your Mac app to Apple Silicon – Your porting questions, answered: Learn how to recompile your macOS app for Apple Silicon Macs and build universal apps that launch faster, have better performance, and support the future of the platform. We’ll show you how Xcode makes it simple to build a universal macOS binary.developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10214/
What’s new in managing Apple devices. – iOS, macOS, tvOS We’ve made significant strides in bringing crucial device management features to macOS. Discover how these features can help you manage your all your devices using the same tools and technologies. Get details on changes coming this year and how they will impact your deployment workflows– developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10639/
iPad and iPhone apps on Apple Silicon Macs. – Apple Silicon Macs can run many iPad and iPhone apps as-is, and these apps will be made available to users on the Mac through the Mac App Store. Discover how iPad and iPhone apps run on Apple Silicon Macs, and the factors that make your apps come across better.– developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10114/
Explore the new system architecture of Apple Silicon Macs – Discover how Macs with Apple Silicon will deliver modern advantages using Apple’s System-on-Chip (SoC) architecture. Leveraging a unified memory architecture for CPU and GPU tasks, Mac apps will see amazing performance benefits. developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10686/
24. MacAdmin Blog Links
This list is specifically for MacAdmins. This will be an ongoing list of articles and posts that will help you learn the latest 11.0 changes.
Boot to Internet Recovery, Recovery Partition or Diagnostics from macOS using nvram or Recovery Selector.app
How to Boot to Internet Recovery, Recovery Partition or Diagnostics from inside macOS.
UPDATE 01/25/21 – Martin Nobel @martinnobel_ – If you want to make an Intel Mac boot into the Startup Manager automatically, type into terminal: “Sudo nvram manufacturing-enter-picker=true”
This means that we can boot to almost every single recovery mode EXCEPT for Internet Recovery!
When an undocumented macOS command or option is discovered, the MacAdmin community gets pretty excited. This is one of those times, as a new nvram key and value was uncovered over the weekend.
If you need to boot to Internet Recovery, you first need to remember the Mac Boot Up Keyboard Combination. Can you remember all of them? I can’t and I work on this stuff every day! Below is the complete list Mac Startup Key Combinations. The second article adds two additional keyboard combinations bringing the total to twelve! The first one will “Reinstall the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.” The second command will “Upgrade to the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.”
Tim, announcing the first version of Recovery Selector.app that could boot to the Recovery Partition from macOS.
Tim found an undocumented nvram command that you could use to boot your Mac to the Recovery Partition from macOS! From there, he had an idea to create an open source app that would allow you to boot to the Recovery Partition without knowing the exact command.
Someone found additional nvram keys and values!
I replied to Tim’s tweet letting him know that I put in an Apple Enterprise Support ticket to see if we could uncover if an Internet Recovery key existed. Before I could hear back from support, someone found and sent the new key internet-recovery-mode over to Tim. He then improved the app allowing you to boot into four different modes!
Nvram Keys and Values
The commands that we needed are set with two different keys and four different values.
The new values and keys are
recovery-boot-mode = Local Recovery Partition Value
unused Boot to Recovery Partition
internet-recovery-mode = Internet Recovery Value
RecoveryModeNetwork Internet Recovery (Shift-Option-⌘-R)
RecoveryModeDisk Recovery Partition (⌘- R)
DiagsModeDisk Boot to Local Apple Hardware Diagnostic (D)
DiagsModeNetwork Boot to Internet/AST Diagnostic (Option-D)
Let’s put it all together, keep in mind you must run the nvram as an administrator.
All four different nvram internet-recovery-mode values and keys
Your Mac will immediately reboot and start up in Internet Recovery Mode.
Compatibility, Caveats and Requirements
UPDATE 01/27/20
I tested the above commands with the following hardware and OS versions.
2018 T2 15″ MacBook Pro = 10.15.3 Beta 2
2016 13″ MacBook Pro = 10.14.6
2010 13″ MacBook Air = 10.13.6
This should confirm that the command works from 10.13.6-10.15.3 and on Mac Hardware from 2010-2019.
Network Requirements (For Internet Boot Options)
Wired Ethernet Connection
Wifi = Any WPA2 saved connection.
WPA2 Enterprise WIFI is NOT Supported
The WiFi network Internet Recovery will the Top “Preferred Network” listed to boot to Internet Recovery. If for some reason the Mac can’t connect to that network you will be prompted in firmware to connect to a different WiFi network or ethernet network.
Boot Security Requirements
Firmware Password Protection – can be ON or OFF. If ON then you will be required to enter in the firmware password.
Secure Boot – can enabled , the commands works fine.
FileVault – can be enabled, you do not have to enter in your FV2 password.
Restart Requirements
You do not have to reset the boot disk, clear out nvram commands or reset anything. When you restart the Mac, it will boot right back into macOS.
Twocanoes Recovery Selector.app = Easy Mode!!!
Are you going to remember all of the different nvram keys and values?
Probably not
Why not use one simple open source application to do this for you?
Recovery Selector.app menu = easy mode for your test Mac or VM!
Tim had the great idea to take all the above command options and put them into one application. Two clicks gets your Mac rebooted to the Recovery Partition, Internet Recovery, Local HW Diagnostics or Internet HW Diagnostics.
Note: Admin access to reboot is not required, the app uses a LaunchDaemon.
You can download and try Recovery Selector.App below.
We are only missing one critical nvram Internet Recovery Value.
We are only one nvram value away from perfect.
Option-⌘-R
“Upgrade to the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.“
I am going to change my Apple Enterprise Support ticket into an Enhancement Request. If this final value is added we will have all 5 boot modes available in macOS.
If you have any questions please comment below or Contact Me!
