Failed to install macOS Monterey to 2020 M1 MBP due to firmware

After resetting the Mac I just bought from someone else, I could not install the macOS Monterey.

I tried the normal recovery route and downloaded from internet and it failed. Then I created a bootable USB using a second Intel Mac I own, and it still fails with the same error:

Mar 16 23:22:38 macbook-pro osinstallersetupd[217]: Apply failed: Error Domain=SUMacControllerError Code=7760 "[SUMacControllerErrorApplyFailed=7760] Failed to perform Apply operation: [MobileSoftwareUpdateErrorDomain(MSU):1041_1_RamrodErrorDomain:1014_2_MSUFirmwareUpdaterErrorDomain:3_3_MSUFirmwareUpdaterErrorDomain:3_4_MSUFirmwareUpdaterErrorDomain:3_5_MSUFirmwareUpdaterErrorDomain:-536870198]" UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=Failed to apply the software update. Please try again., SUMacControllerErrorIndicationsMask=0, NSDebugDescription=[SUMacControllerErrorApplyFailed=7760] Failed to perform Apply operation: [MobileSoftwareUpdateErrorDomain(MSU):1041_1_RamrodErrorDomain:1014_2_MSUFirmwareUpdaterErrorDomain:3_3_MSUFirmwareUpdaterErrorDomain:3_4_MSUFirmwareUpdaterErrorDomain:3_5_MSUFirmwareUpdaterErrorDomain:-536870198], NSUnderlyingError=0x600002bf4390 {Error Domain=MobileSoftwareUpdateErrorDomain Code=1041 "failed to perform limited firmware update" UserInfo={NSUnderlyingError=0x600002bf4e40 {Error Domain=RamrodErrorDomain Code=1014 "update_iBoot: BootFirmware update failed" UserInfo={NSDescription=update_iBoot: BootFirmware update failed, NSUnderlyingError=0x600002bf5320 {Error Domain=MSUFirmwareUpdaterErrorDomain Code=3 "Updater <IODualSPIWriter: 0x600022be0460> failed to write to SPI" UserInfo=0x60000324fc00 (not displayed)}}}, NSLocalizedDescription=failed to perform limited firmware update, target_update=21E230}}}

Before going to Genius Bar, as someone technical, I would love to try any suggestions you might have.

Hi there,

You might have better luck asking this question over in Apple Support Communities run by Apple Support.

You could try restoring the M1 MBP from the second Mac...

  • Connect the two Macs using USB-C
  • Run Apple Configurator 2 on the second Mac
  • Put the M1 MBP into "DFU" mode

Then you can attempt a "Revive", or a "Restore" from Apple Configurator 2

More information here:
"Revive or restore a Mac with Apple silicon using Apple Configurator 2"
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/apple-configurator-2/apdd5f3c75ad/mac

Failed to install macOS Monterey to 2020 M1 MBP due to firmware
 
 
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