Can't install Big Sur on external ssd

[ericsokoine]

I have a 13 inch macbook pro 2015 model. The internal ssd died but thanks to the internet recovery mode, i managed to install El Captain 10.11.6 on an external ssd drive.

I'm trying to upgrade to Big Sur, but the option to choose my external ssd during installation is greyed out

Same error if i try to install High Sierra. This is what shows after running diskutil list

 

[chabig]

Maybe reformat the SSD as APFS while your are booted to internet recovery?

 

[ericsokoine]

Maybe reformat the SSD as APFS while your are booted to internet recovery?

APFS option isn't there

 

[padams35]

Can you upgrade the external El Capitan drive to Big Sur?

Can you create a bootable USB Big Sur installer to bypass internet recovery?

 

[ericsokoine]

Maybe reformat the SSD as APFS while your are booted to internet recovery?

I just tried internet recovery mode again and it showed up. I managed to get big sur installed and working!