How can I upgrade to the latest macOS before provisioning a Mac?

[everett4]

Hi All. I have a bunch of Mac Studios that came with macOS Monterey and I'd like to upgrade them all to macOS Sonoma before proceeding to provision them with JAMF autopilot.

With Intel Macs, one could boot while holding [OPTION]+[COMMAND]+R and then be presented with the latest compatible OS as the installable option, but with Apple silicon when you boot into Recovery mode you are only offered the OS that is already installed.

Does anyone know how to boot into the latest OS in Recovery mode on Apple silicon Macs?

[jamf-42]

"Configurator" is one option..  plug one Mac into another.. download the IPSW and update.. 

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/apple-configurator-mac/apdd5f3c75ad/mac

or if using ABM remove from scope.. do the update dance.. add to scope

[sdagley]

@ClassicII 's guide to doing a DFU Restore is much easier to follow than Apple's docs: https://mrmacintosh.com/restore-macos-firmware-on-an-apple-silicon-mac-boot-to-dfu-mode/

And his site has links to the various .ipsw downloads: https://mrmacintosh.com/apple-silicon-m1-full-macos-restore-ipsw-firmware-files-database/

[AJPinto]

Having videos of the process goes a long way. If only Apple would realize this.

[ImAMacGuy]

I asked Apple about this last week when trying to do the same thing (restore a different version of macOS via recovery).  Apparently this is no longer possible with the M series devices.  I've been using the Mr.Macintosh links listed above to accomplish the OS change.

[obi-k]

You could create a bootable external drive with the latest macOS you'd like to use.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/101578 
https://github.com/scriptingosx/DownloadFullInstaller/releases/tag/v1.1.1 
I usually grab the installers from the Download Full Installers app, then create a bootable drive for myself and techs.

[jamf-42]

there is also Mac Provisioner.. and MSD https://twocanoes.com/products/mac/mds/

and Mist for macOS downloader Mist