Restore macOS Firmware on an Apple Silicon M1 Mac + Boot to DFU Mode

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With Apple Silicon Macs, you can install macOS just like you can with iOS! I will show you how to boot your Apple Silicon Mac into DFU Mode so you can Restore macOS.

UPDATED 06/04/21

This article will go over how to restore macOS on your new Apple Silicon Mac. Your first line of defense for installing macOS on Apple Silicon should be macOS Recovery. But if for some reason you are having problems with that you can boot your Apple Silicon Mac with a Big Sur USB installer drive. I wrote an article covering all the changes to macOS Recovery here.

mrmacintosh.com/how-to-reinstall-macos-on-your-apple-silicon-mac-everything-you-need-to-know/

Order of that you should follow for reinstalling macOS on Apple Silicon.

• 1. macOS Recovery – Hold down the power button to enter the Boot Picker Menu (downloads macOS Big Sur over the internet 1-2 hours)
• 2. System Recovery – (Separate hidden partition – Will boot automatically if macOS Recovery is erased or damaged)
• 3. macOS Big Sur USB Installer Drive – External boot for macOS Installers is enabled by default on Apple Silicon – (Installs from USB 30-40 Min)
• 4. Apple Configurator 2 REVIVE option – This option will reinstall macOS Recovery if erased or damaged (retains user data on the hard drive)
• 5. Apple Configurator 2 RESTORE option – This option will Reinstall macOS Recovery, ERASE your hard drive and reinstall macOS (Fast install! 10 min)

Use macOS Recovery on a Apple Silicon M1 Mac

Keep in mind, just like last time, some of the instructions for booting your Apple Silicon Mac are confusing. If you thought booting to DFU mode was a little difficult on T2 Macs… wait until you try on Apple Silicon. For one thing the ports used are the exact opposite of what was used on T2 Macs! Plus the process to get the Mac into DFU mode has changed! That’s why I’m writing this article, to better explain the instructions.

Table of Contents

• 1. Updates
• 2. List of Apple Silicon Compatible Macs
• 3. Setup and Cable Requirements before you begin
• 4. Download Apple Configurator 2 app
• 5. How to Boot your Apple Silicon Mac into DFU Mode
• 6. Which Firmware version is your Mac on?
• 7. Instructions for the M1 13″ MacBook Pro & Air (2020)
• 8. Instructions for the M1 Mac Mini (2020)
• 9. Instructions for the M1 24″ iMac (2021)
• 10. You made it! Apple Configurator 2 Steps
• 11. Download macOS ISPW file
• 12. Begin Apple Silicon macOS Revive / Restore
• 13. Finishing Up
• 14. Can I Downgrade from an older version of macOS via IPSW Files?
• 15. Thanks
• 16. Troubleshooting DFU Mode & Firmware Update Problems

1. Updates

UPDATE 11/16/21 – New section for 2021 14 & 16″ MacBook Pro Restore/Revive

UPDATE 6/04/21 – Added New 2021 24″ M1 iMac DFU Restore/Revive info!

UPDATE 4/13/21 – New DEEP DIVE video on using Apple Configurator 2 to reinstall macOS on multiple M1 Macs.

UPDATE 3/17/21 – I’ve added a new video that shows you how to use Apple configurator 2 to install macOS on multiple M1 Macs.

UPDATE 1/14/21 – Apple has released Apple Configurator 2 Version 2.13.3, be sure to update. I’ve also added a new Apple Silicon Mac Mini M1 Video above.

UPDATE 11/18/20 – Apple has released Apple Configurator 2 Version 2.13.2! Make sure you update. If you are still running 2.13.1 or below you will get an error when you click the restore button.

UPDATE 11/17/20 –Added a new section #6 to explain the problem booting to DFU mode if your Apple Silicon Mac is on it’s factory firmware of 6723.41.11

mrmacintosh.com/how-to-reinstall-macos-on-your-apple-silicon-mac-everything-you-need-to-know/

If you are looking for my article on how to restore BridgeOS on a T2 Mac, I’ve linked it below.

mrmacintosh.com/how-to-restore-bridgeos-on-a-t2-mac-how-to-put-a-mac-into-dfu-mode/

2. List of Apple Silicon Compatible Macs

This is a list of Apple Silicon Macs that this process is compatible with.

• 1. 2020 M1 13″ MacBook Pro
• 2. 2020 M1 MacBook Air
• 3. 2020 M1 Mac Mini
• 4. 2021 M1 24″ iMac

3. Setup and Cable Requirements before you begin.

You will need to meet the following requirements –

(The Host Mac will do the work and the Target Mac is the Mac you need to Restore)

• 1. USB-C Mac as the Host Machine.
• 2. The Host Mac must have at least macOS 10.15.6 and Apple Configurator 2.13.1 or newer installed.
• 3. Internet access on the Host Mac – “You may need to configure your web proxy or firewall ports to allow all network traffic from Apple”
• 4. USB-C to USB-C Cable – The white Apple USB-C Charge will work fine. (USB-C Cable MUST Support Power & Data). Apple notes that a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 3 cable is not supported but I’ve tested it and it works fine.
• 5. The Host Mac can have the cable plugged in anywhere.
• 6. The Target Mac MUST have the USB-C Cable Plugged in to the Left Hand side USB-C port. For Laptops the port closest to the back of the Mac or screen) For the Mac Mini it’s the port closest to the ethernet port. (BOTH LOCATIONS ARE OPPOSITE of the T2 Mac BridgeOS restore locations!)
• If you don’t meet all the prerequisites booting to DFU Mode or Upgrading macOS Firmware might fail.

4. Download Apple Configurator 2

If you do not have Apple Configurator 2, you can download it now from the Mac App Store with this link.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apple-configurator-2/id1037126344?mt=12

5. How to Boot your Apple Silicon Mac into DFU Mode

With all the startup keyboard commands you can issue a Mac, booting into DFU Mode should be pretty simple right?

NOPE! (x2 this time for Apple Silicon!)

You have to follow a very particular sequence to get this to work. I have attempted to find the exact way to get this to work every time. Even then sometimes the system will refuse to Boot into DFU mode.

Apple’s Instructions

You can find Apple’s instructions for booting into DFU mode here.

https://support.apple.com/guide/apple-configurator-2/revive-or-restore-a-mac-with-apple-silicon-apdd5f3c75ad/mac

Prepare the Apple notebook computer

If these instructions do not work fo you continue below.

1. Press the power button.
2. While holding down the power button, at the same time press all three of the following keys for about 10 seconds:
   • The right Shift key
   • The left Option key
   • The left Control key
3. After 10 seconds, immediately release the three keys but continue to hold down the power button until it appears in Apple Configurator 2.Note: You won’t see any screen activity from the Apple notebook computer.

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6. Which Firmware version is your Mac on?

Did you update your Mac to Big Sur 11.0.1 from 11.0 when it arrived? If you didnt the firmware will be

6723.41.11

To find the firmware version click the Apple icon > About this Mac > System Report.

Look for System Firmware Version.

If you are on Big Sur 11.0 and firmware version 6723.41.11 you will need to boot to the macOS Recovery selection screen first before attempting to boot into DFU mode.

If you updated your Mac to 11.0.1 and are running Firmware Version 6723.50.2 or newer you can follow the normal instructions. You can boot to DFU mode from power off instead of booting to the macOS recovery selection screen first.

7. My Instructions for the M1 13″ MacBook Pro & MacBook Air

It has proven difficult to get an Apple Silicon Mac into DFU mode. You could try Apple’s instructions above multiple times and STILL not get into DFU mode.

Once you have meet all of the pre requisites above, follow the instructions below to should get you into DFU Mode every time.

• 1. The Target Mac must be OFF to begin.
• 2.Hold down the Power button, Right Shift, Left Control and Left Option keys for 10 Seconds (count 1 one thousand) then let go of every key except for Power . Keep holding down the power button for an additional 8 seconds until you get to 18 seconds total. If you count more than 20 seconds and don’t see the DFU icon, you will have to try the process again.
• 3. When the Target Mac is booted into DFU mode correctly, the host will show a big DFU icon in Apple Configurator 2.
• 4. After you see the DFU picture pop up on the AC2 Host Mac you can let go of the Power Button.

8. Instructions for the M1 Mac Mini (2020)

The Mac Mini 2020 instructions are to use the USB-C port is closest to the Ethernet port.

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• 1. Disconnect the power cord from the Mac Mini.
• 2. Plug USB-C/Thunderbolt cable into the USB-C port next to the ethernet port.
• 3. Plug the other end into the Host Mac.
• 4. While holding down the power button, connect the Mac Mini to power and continue to hold the power button for about 3-5 seconds
• 5. You should now see the DFU logo on the Host Mac.

9. Instructions for the M1 2021 24″ iMac

The 24″ M1 iMac (2021) instructions are to use the USB-C port is closest to the magnetic power port. The instructions are the same for both the 2 and 4 port version.

• 1. Disconnect the magnetic power cord from the iMac.
• 2. Plug USB-C cable into the USB-C port next to the power port.
• 3. Plug the other end into the Host Mac.
• 4. While holding down the power button, connect the iMac magnetic power plug continue to hold the power button for about 3-5 seconds
• 5. You should now see the DFU logo on the Host Mac.

10. Instructions for the M1 2021 24″ iMac

11. Instructions for the M1 2021 14″ and 16″ MacBook Pro

12. Instructions for the M1 2022 Mac Studio

10. You made it! Apple Configurator 2 Steps

The hard part is now over. Now we can restore macOS on the Target Mac. When you first open Apple Configurator 2 the screen will look like this.

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Once your Mac is booted to DFU mode, you will see this screen on Apple Configurator 2. You are now ready for the next step.

11. Download macOS ISPW file (Optional)

Apple Configurator 2 version 2.13.2 will automatically download needed IPSW file just like it can for iOS. Let’s say that you want to download the IPSW so you can restore multiple times for testing, you can get it from my database below.

mrmacintosh.com/apple-silicon-m1-full-macos-restore-ipsw-firmware-files-database/

Once you’ve downloaded the macOS IPSW file, you are ready for Restore.

12. Begin Apple Silicon macOS Revive / Restore

1. Revive Option

The revive option will ONLY reinstall macOS Recovery. Go to step 2 for Restore.

You are now ready to restore either macOS Recovery with revive by Clicking  Actions > Advanced > Revive Device.

Revive will reinstall macOS Recovery on your Apple Silicon Mac. This option retains user data.

2. Restore Option.

Restore will Reinstall macOS Recovery, ERASE your SSD hard drive and reinstall macOS.

You will now see a warning message. Do you want restore “MacBook Pro” to it’s Factory settings and latest firmware version?

Click the Restore Button to begin. Step one will download the latest macOS IPSW Firmware file directly from Apple.

You can also drag the macOS IPSW File over to the DFU icon to begin the restore.

After dragging the macOS 11 IPSW File over to the DFU logo you will get this pop up. You can select Restore to erase your drive and reinstall macOS. The process will only take about 15 minutes.

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Step 2. Unzipping macOS

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Step 3. Installing macOS

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13. Finishing Up

If you would like to see more information you can click View and see a new activity window.

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The entire process will only take a while. Most of the time is spent downloading the huge 13GB macOS Big Sur IPSW File. This is why it’s nice to keep the IPSW on an external hard drive or something. When you drag the IPSW File over to Apple Configuator 2, the restore will be super quick! Normally it only takes about 10 min!

When complete the Mac will automatically Boot up.

14. Can I Downgrade from an older version of macOS via IPSW Files?

The answer is YES, follow the link below for an explanation.

But only if the IPSW file is still signed by Apple. If Apple stops signing the IPSW file you will need to change the Boot Security to allow this. (Keep in mind Apple has not stopped signing any macOS installers yet, so we will see.)

15. Thanks

Hat tip goes out to macrumors forum user Nrwrit3r for the macOS Recovery menu workaround for older firmware!

16. Troubleshooting DFU Mode & Firmware Update Problems

NOTE 11/17/20! UNTIL I’M ABLE TO GATHER APPLE SILICON DATA I WILL LEAVE THE T2 BRIDGEOS TROUBLESHOOTING SECTION HERE.

• I can’t get my Mac to boot into DFU mode. This is the toughest part of the whole process as I mentioned above. Keep trying the steps I listed above. Sometimes it takes multiple attempts to get his to work.
• You can use System Information to see if the USB-C port lists your Mac in DFU Mode.

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• BridgeOS Restore Error 79- The OS Cannot be restored on this device. The Operation couldn’t be completed. (AMRestoreErrorDomain error 79 – Failed to handle message type StatusMsg) [AMRestoreErrorDomain – 0x4F (79)] – If you get this error it means that the BridgeOS update has failed and is unable to complete. The system will be unable to boot. When powered on the screen will be black. The Mac will have to be brought to an Apple Store for Service.

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BridgeOS Restore Error 10 – The BridgeOS Restore failed! This is most likely because the host Mac was 1 or 2 OS Versions behind the Target Mac. The Host and Target Mac need to be on the same OS Version.

If your Target Mac is on 10.15, then your Host Mac needs to be on 10.15.

The OS Cannot be restored on this device.

The operation couldn’t be completed. (AMRestoreErrorDomain error 10 – Failed to handle message type StatusMsg) [AMRestoreErrorDomain – 0xA (10)]

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Host Mac and Target Mac Disconnected during restore. – Error 4005

The OS Cannot be restored on this device.

Gave up waiting for device to transition from RestoreOS state to BootedOS State. [com.apple.MobileDevice.MobileRestore – 0xFA5 (4005)]

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This error will come up when the restore process has been interrupted.

Or, you might get this using Apple Configurator 2 version 2.12.1, as the process never seems to complete properly. If the Target Mac awakes to the login window the process is complete even though the progress bar is at 100%. After unplugging the USB-C cable you will get the error above.

Apple Configurator 2 Reports RECOVERY instead of DFU Status.

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• If you see RECOVERY this means that BridgeOS is unable to boot and is the default status when you power on the Mac.
• Failed BridgeOS Restore due to OS Version Mismatch! The Target Mac is a previous OS i.e 10.14 trying to restore a 10.15 Mac, the update will fail with an Error 10
• If the Mac already failed the Upgrade, it could already be in this status. If so, you can attempt a BridgeOS restore.

Configurator could not perform the requested action. Apple Controller devices do not support this action.

This means that you selected Actions > Update, which is not supported. You need to select Actions > Advanced > Revive Device

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Apple Configurator 2 BridgeOS Firmware Download Location.

Thanks MrMacintosh Reader Max C for letting me know the location of the BridgeOS Firmware files.

~/Library/Group Containers/Group.com.apple.configurator/Library/Caches/Firmware

Apple Configurator 2 Log Location

~/Library/Group Containers/xxxxxxx.group.com.apple.configurator/Library/Logs

Note that for version 2.12.1 the log does not seem to be working.

Restore macOS Apple Silicon

If you have any additional information or questions Contact Me!

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