Unable to update MacBook Pro M1 to macOS 15.4

I am having the exact same issue. Macbook Air M1 2020 fails to upgrade to 15.4. Upgrade from 13 to 14 worked via the Appstore, but then onwards to 15 does not. Tried safemode, etc, Apple support walked me through some steps (e.g. removal of VPN software, new admin account, renew macOS installation, ...) but so far without a solution. Current suggestion is to erase the Mac, but I am hesitant.

Related topic here: Kernel panic during Sequoia 15.4 installa… - Apple Community

Looks like this still isn't getting any actual recognition from Apple yet.

Has anyone managed to find a fix yet?

I have 5 M1 macs in my org that have this particular Issue.

Tried all of the following options (fixes) with no success:

• updating in Safe mode
• downloading the update via terminal: softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 15.4 (though I can confirm that the last stable update is: softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 15.3.2 and this does work
• reinstalling Rosetta
• disabling Docker from start up (https://forums.docker.com/t/docker-desktop-causing-kernel-panic-on-macos-15-4-developer-beta-1-apple-silicone/146811)

I spoke with Apple support who could only suggest the nuclear option of a wipe and reinstall of MacOS

I'm about to test this out How to revive or restore Mac firmware - Apple Support ....

This WORKED, even though a live Apple agent said it wouldn't.

How to revive or restore Mac firmware - Apple Support

You will need a USB-C to USB-C cable, and another Mac with a USB-C port that is already running Sequoia. The Apple agent said that the MBP that was giving me trouble wouldn't accept a macOS higher than what was installed, but it did. It took several attempts to get the Sequoia computer to see that I was trying to connect the MBP I was trying to upgrade. You know how it is when instructions say to hold a combination of keys for X number of seconds... it has to be exactly precise for the computer to interpret your command or it doesn't register. I found this video to help get me through it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-FsB2onSx0 Just keep trying and eventually they will connect. When given the option to revive or restore, select restore. Expect status bars on both screens, and for the process to take at least several minutes.

IMPORTANT. I have no idea what info will be preserved or erased when you do this. I only know that after several hours of unsuccessfully trying to upgrade my factory reset 2021 MacBook Pro with M1 Max to Sequoia, this was the one thing that worked.

Other things to check to rule out hardware issues

• open Disk Utility and run First Aid on your internal drive
• Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support

I would also disconnect everything from both Macs except power (and the cable connecting them together, obviously), and internet I suppose if you have/need a physical connection; I used wifi (my wifi internet is strong and stable)

Good luck!

Yep, have the same problem

MacBook 14 M1 Pro 8c, 16/512. macOS 14.7.5 (23H527)

Mishmich wrote:

Cleared out space (300GB available).

Find My was not turned on.

Start of error log:

panic(cpu 0 caller 0x0): t6000dart 0xfffffdf034198d70 (dart-dispext0): Can't ignore lock validation @t6000dart.c:437

Debugger message: panic

Memory ID: 0x6

OS release type: Not set yet

OS version: Not set yet

Kernel version: Darwin Kernel Version 24.4.0: Wed Mar 19 21:16:34 PDT 2025; root:xnu-11417.101.15~1/RELEASE_ARM64_T6000

Fileset Kernelcache UUID: 64910CF20FBC3B619F5B9FEDE3E907C5

Kernel UUID: 0DBF4FC4-B7A0-303C-9143-63308FC1EA62

Boot session UUID: F441831E-AD36-4128-B453-40C434AA9830

iBoot version: iBoot-11881.101.1

iBoot Stage 2 version: iBoot-11881.101.1

secure boot?: YES

roots installed: 0

Paniclog version: 14

unplug all non-essential peripherals when testing...

reboot into SafeBoot mode and try again your update:

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

Download it on another Mac or download a Sequoia installer from the internet (I personally don't recommend trying download it from the internet, because the source can be insecure) and make a bootable drive (like a pen): Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support. If this don't work, consider doing a Time Machine backup and erasing the Mac.

bucketofish wrote:

This WORKED, even though a live Apple agent said it wouldn't.

How to revive or restore Mac firmware - Apple Support

Just keep trying and eventually they will connect. When given the option to revive or restore, select restore. Expect status bars on both screens, and for the process to take at least several minutes.

IMPORTANT. I have no idea what info will be preserved or erased when you do this.

The "Revive" resets the security enclave chip & system firmware. Normally this won't affect any data on the internal SSD, but if the process fails to complete, then who knows if the data on the internal SSD can still be accessed.

The "Restore" does the same thing as the "Revive", but also resets the internal SSD thereby destroying all data on the internal SSD. The "Restore" also pushes a clean copy of macOS onto the internal SSD (I'm not sure what version of macOS is installed). The user will need to restore their data from a backup made prior to the DFU Firmware Restore process.

I've the same problem with M1 MacBook Pro.

So yesterday I've downloaded the update from macOS 15.3.2

After the download from Settings it starts to update.

After that it shows a window where it ask for my FileVault password (never seen before).

So, I've inserted it.

After that, only boot loop. No log given.

So, I've seen using Terminal that in Macintosh HD - Data there are all my folders and files.

I've tried:

• Restarting in Safe Mode: same problem
• Create a macOS 15.4 update from USB stick created from another mac: after install, it keeps bootlooping and no log provided.
• Using S.O.S. from Disk Utility it shows a lot of warnings on snapshots.
• Restore window shows "Install Monterey" that is four years old.

So, now, how can I do?

Since this morning I'm with Apple Support but no guidelines to solve the problem.

I don't want to loose all my data for a minor update (I've done a cp operation using Terminal on a external SSD but probably I've missed some path/folder to backup).

I'm having this exact same problem with a M1 Max MacBook pro. Were you all able to find a solution? Thanks!

Me too. M1 mini upgrade from Sequoia 15.3.2. Exact same error message.

Having the same problem with a MacBook Pro M1. Tried updating from Sequoia 15.3.2 (24D81) to Sequoia 15.4 several times with both online and offline installer and always getting:

panic(cpu 0 caller 0x0): t6000dart 0xfffffdf039cbcd70 (dart-dispext1): Can't ignore lock validation @t6000dart.c:437
Debugger message: panic
Memory ID: 0x6
OS release type: Not set yet
OS version: Not set yet
Kernel version: Darwin Kernel Version 24.4.0: Wed Mar 19 21:16:34 PDT 2025; root:xnu-11417.101.15~1/RELEASE_ARM64_T6000
Fileset Kernelcache UUID: 64910CF20FBC3B619F5B9FEDE3E907C5
Kernel UUID: 0DBF4FC4-B7A0-303C-9143-63308FC1EA62
Boot session UUID: ***
iBoot version: iBoot-11881.101.1
iBoot Stage 2 version: iBoot-11881.101.1
secure boot?: YES
roots installed: 0
Paniclog version: 14
...

(I've redacted Boot session UUID and truncated the rest of the crash log)

Strange seeing dart-dispext1 is causing the error, as I didn't have an external monitor connected when I tried upgrading the system.

I am also in this situation But I have already resolved it

1. Prepare a normal Mac and download the app configurator from the App Store

2. The problematic computer enters DFU mode

3. Use app configurator to restore the system

Related topic is here: macOS 15.4 update failed on external disk - Apple Community