Boot Apple Silicon M1 Mac to DFU Mode & Reinstall macOS in 10 Minutes with 2nd Mac MacBook Pro & Air

With Apple Silicon M1 Macs, you can restore macOS just like you can with iOS & iPhone with Apple Configurator 2! I will show you how to boot your Apple Silicon M1 MacBook Pro into DFU Mode so you can Restore macOS Big Sur or macOS Monterey in under 10 minutes!
Restore macOS Firmware on an Apple Silicon Mac + Boot to DFU Mode
I 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.
Main Article
mrmacintosh.com/restore-macos...
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
2. System Recovery - (Will boot automatically if macOS Recovery is unavailable)
3. macOS Big Sur USB Installer Drive - (External boot for macOS Installers is enabled by default on Apple Silicon)
4. Apple Configurator 2 REVIVE option - This option will reinstall macOS Recovery (retains user data on the SSD hard drive)
5. Apple Configurator 2 RESTORE option - This option will Reinstall macOS Recovery, ERASE your SSD hard drive and reinstall macOS
Apple has just posted a new articles on macOS recovery, booting to DFU mode and how to restore macOS Firmware.
Revive or restore a Mac with Apple silicon with Apple Configurator 2
Apple Silicon M1 Mac Mini
Apple Silicon M1 MacBook Air
Apple Silicon M1 MacBook Pro 13"
Supplies - (Support Mr. Macintosh with Amazon Affiliate Links) As an affiliate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made using the link
Anker USB C Hub Adapter, PowerExpand+ 7-in-1 USB C Hub, with 4K USB C to HDMI, 60W Power Delivery, 1Gbps Ethernet, 2 USB 3.0 Ports, SD and microSD Card Readers, for MacBook Pro and Other USB C Laptops
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Anker USB C Hub [Upgraded], 5-in-1 USB C Adapter with 4K USB C to HDMI, Ethernet Port, 3 USB 3.0 Ports, for MacBook Pro, iPad Pro
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Belkin USB-C to USB-A for older Macs
amzn.to/3iBlcu0
AmazonBasics USB Type-C to USB-A 2.0 Male Charger Cable, 6 Feet (1.8 Meters), Black
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6.6ft (2m) Thunderbolt 3 Cable, 100W 20Gbps, Nylon Braided, Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 3 Cord, for Thunderbolt 3 (USB C) Hub, Adapter, Devices, 20V/5A
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Links
MrMacintosh.com - Apple Mac Enterprise IT Blog & macOS News for MacAdmins
Twitter
/ classicii_mrmac
Mac Transition to Apple Silicon Everything you need to know!
mrmacintosh.com/mac-transitio...
New Article How to reinstall macOS on your Apple Silicon Mac
mrmacintosh.com/how-to-reinstall-macos-on-your-apple-silicon-mac-everything-you-need-to-know/
macOS ISPW Firmware Database - Download Full macOS ISPW Files!
mrmacintosh.com/apple-silicon...
MacOS Big Sur Index of need to know changes! (UPDATED)
mrmacintosh.com/macos-big-sur...
macOS System Status (Issues) - OS, Xprotect & App Version Database
mrmacintosh.com/macos-system-...
Subscribe to "The Apple Ninja's" KZbin! If it wasn't for him, I would not even be on KZbin today. Thank you!!!
/ @appleninja

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Hopefully this video will help anyone who is still having issues booting an Apple Silicon Mac into DFU mode. Let me know if you have any questions!

[@grzegorzkotewicz1186]

Your DFU method dont work

[@jimmoyk]

It works! Successfully done, using Macbook Air 2018 to target Macbook Pro (M1) 2020. A very clear and helpful guide video. Thank you very much. (Note: Yes, it needs to be exactly 10 seconds to make it work, not more not less. Following a clock second will help you a lot. It took me 2 times to get it work.)

[@Kah7654]

Bricked my MacBook Air M1 (by using Migration Assistant). Tried this method using an older MacBook Pro with Usb a to Usb C adaptor. Worked putting it into DFU mode. But the last step (4/4) fails, giving an Error 53 shortly after showing the Apple logo on the M1. Tried it multiple times, it always fails with Error 53.

[@Dlightswitch_]

Hi Mr.Macintosh, my start up disk is not coming up, do you have any advise?

[@steevenmanzanares1974]

What if instead of using the ipsw from the website, I try the MacOS firmware downloaded from the mac appstore?

[@JuiceMan]

After 10 hours THIS THE ONE... Thank you

[@devinpettis3180]

No cap literally 10 hrs

[@lildog1s]

Does this actually work

[@nazimsayed5136]

I can never thank you enough for this super helpful tutorial. You are a lifesaver brother! After trying everything for two days this video made it a piece of cake. You are a TRUE LEGEND. ✌️

[@jesseself1562]

After an hour talking to Apple Support and 7 hours trying to figure this out myself, a 10 minute video walked me through it. You, my man, saved me a long trip to the Apple Store.

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Jesse, that is great news! Thank you for the comment and I'm glad you got your Mac up and running again 👍

[@michaellong8812]

This video enabled me to fix my bricked Mac M1. Thank you so much for the clear and succinct guidance.

[@variousd3507]

Did you revive or restore?

[@LaughingbirdSoftware]

Oh wow! THIS was excellent! I spent hours trying to make it work from the Apple help pages - then I found your video and within an hour I had my new Mac M1 up and running again! YOU are awesome! Thanks for being there for us!

[@grisogoesnuts]

Very logical and clear guide. Helped me restore a M1 Macbook with a formatted SSD. Thank you!

[@DeepakCG]

Unknowingly erased my M1 Macbook disk while trying revert to Big Sur from Monterey beta, once erased you have sort of semi bricked ur Macbook, I struggled for over 4 hours to get this sorted trying out different guides online, but nothing worked. Accidentally stumbled upon this video on KZbin and wow this was God sent, it took me just 20 mins to get my M1 Macbook booting back on BigSur again, perfect video with clear instructions especially the Key combination to get the M1 Macbook in DFU mode. Thanks a ton, you saved me from the hassle of going back to Apple service center.

[@twinjamin]

Mannnnnnn... If I was working on a pc then I wouldn't have never gotten this far to find this fix! Thank you so much. Saved my life!

[@igortrandafilov2504]

You are a bloody wizard mate. I tried many tricks and many videos but only yours worked! Your timing in the video (where you count) is a precision model!!!

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Glad it helped Igor thank you!

[@AdventureDaily]

Straight and to the point, thank you VERY much.

[@azeeproject]

The best Mac youtube page! Only power tips!!! Thanks, fro Brazil!

[@vineethgajula]

After countless tries, this worked for me. Thank you.

[@derekduvel405]

Logged in just to like and subscribe. I loved my M1 Air until I broke it and had to fix it, and the hardware fixes were by far the easiest part. Thanks for documenting what Apple refuses to!

[@MINDWITHMUSCLE]

Thank u for sharing this. After two days of hitting my head against the wall, I’ve been able to restore my Mac with the help of this video. Big thanks again

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Awesome! I'm really glad this video helped you 😀

[@rcruzthomas]

Still works in 2022! Updated my M1 Pro 16" MBP to macOS Monterey 12.1, then shut it down for the night. Next morning, immediately to the Explanation Point of Death. Could not boot to recovery or boot options. Phone call to Apple Support and a visit to the Apple Store did not help. Apple Store was using an older MacBook with a similar procedure in this video. I dont have a spare MBP lying around, so I got an M1 MacBook Air from the Apple Store used the USB-C cable it came with to follow the procedure in this video. Was able to do a Revive on the first attempt. YOU SAVED MY DATA THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO!

[@1Esteband]

Your DFU method worked at the first attempt. Thank you!

[@NicolasPare]

This video saved me this weekend. I bought a new computer and sold my M1 mac. I was going to reset to factory default from Beta 3 Ventura to Big Sur but the computer bricked and would not boot into recovery mode. I had another mac handy, download the IPSW from Mr. Macintosh's site, followed the process on this video and voila, the computer re-imaged and booted like nothing happened. Thank you.

[@bensti666]

You´re a BEAST. The video was helpful second to none. Thank you so much for this support!

[@colemanhoyt5437]

You saved my new laptop! I thought I would have to go to the apple store but this worked. I used a USB-A to USB-C cable and an older Mac. You are absolutely right that it's important to time the button presses correctly.

[@Mr.Macintosh]

I'm glad that you got your mac up and going again Coleman!!!

[@AleehDeJocabed]

What Macbook model did you use to make it work?

[@DiveInto]

Great video, some additional tips for using this video - 1) Make sure you use the correct usb-c port, certain ones are DFU capable, others are not. I was doing this on an M2 Macbook and I needed the top left, as per the video. 2) On some of these new macs, even touching a single key can turn it on, be careful when starting the process. 3) Don't bother trying to count this yourself, let the video count for you! Just be ready on the keypress and press the keys, as per the video, release as per the video, it's soooo much easier and with this approach I've been able to access DFU every time.

[@danielmunoz88]

dude you have no idea how much I love you

[@leighparsons]

Many thanks for this absolutely brilliant video. My new Mac Mini M1 kept failing to complete the update from 11.1 to 11.2. I tried all sorts of solutions (which involved downloading the update files around 10 times!) before I discovered this video. I connected the Mini to my old Macbook Air, dowloaded the ispw file as you suggested and it worked like a treat. Again, many, many thanks for your clear and concise video.

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Thank you Leigh! I'm really glad you found this video and fixed your Mac!!!

[@JukkaRuuskanen]

Thank you for this video. This solved my issue with computer account creation failing every single time. Reinstalling the system from scratch didnt help but putting it in dfu mode exactly like in this video solved my issue within 10minutes like mentioned in your title.

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Awesome Jukka!! I'm glad this worked for you 👍

[@Billy123bobzzz]

Excellent! Very useful, very well presented! Keep up the great work!

[@prakingg]

This video is really a life saver. Two days ago i was trying to clean install mac os ventura on my mac air m2 2023. But i erased the Mackintosh hd and it restartd and got a circle with an exclamation ❗ mark. I was in disarray. Panicked and contacted apple care . They asked to submit the device. Apples warrenty terms are horrible and i had not opted for apple care. I was dreading its cost even it was just 2 month old. Then i came across this video on youtube. Arrangef a intel mac air of 2015 model , installed apple configurator and followed the step . I used my vivo mobile charger cable usb a to c and on first instance it failed to revive my device but when i opted the erase and restore option , it worked ! Unbelievable! A 7 year older mac is restoring life on 2023 mac! Really thanks a lot.

[@mikepeebles]

Awesome video and tutorial! It helped on my new m1 mba get out of a jam today.

[@Fastar76]

THIS is the only fix that allowed me to restore my M1 MBP. USB, recovery, and terminal restore all failed after M1 MBP was upgraded to 11.0.1. Thank you so much for providing this fix.

[@Mr.Macintosh]

You bet Song! Thank you for the comments, it was frustrating for sure. macOS Big Sur 11.1 should fix this issue but sadly its too late for everyone who got the first Apple Silicon Macs!

[@okitsugu]

I followed apples site, tried 100 times, failed, watched your video once, followed along exact and worked perfectly. Thank you!

[@moschisikochenbacken4630]

Awesome! Thanks a lot, this tutorial helped me a lot. I needed to retry more than 10x, but finally it worked!

[@jmontoya5485]

The info in this video is priceless! 3yrs later and it's still helping ppl

[@johnbrandt570]

This video was the answer. Phone support failed. All the Apple stores in my region are closed. Apple was about to have me send my M1 MB pro back and have me reorder a new one. Then I found this video. You saved me a 4+ week turn around on a new M1. Thank you so much!

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Awesome John! I'm really glad you got your M1 pro back up and running again!

[@user-kj2cm6qe5t]

I have MacBook Pro 2017 and its latest update is Ventura 13.6.4. And it says it’s up to date. Apple configuratir needs update 14 and because of this doesn’t download (((

[@jlinwinter]

Wow thanks so much! I read more than a dozen articles on DFU mode for M1 Mac (including apple's own docs) and this is the ONLY one that worked!!! Thanks very very much. So annoying though.

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Jonathan, I'm glad this worked for you! The process is annoying for sure!!!

[@sankarsanadas5203]

Your information is brilliant and applicable Keep up the good work

[@IndianVloggerSmita]

Thank you so much for nice and useful explaination

[@qazaq2222]

Many thanks! Spent couple of hours trying to find a solution. Also had issues with Apple Configurator 2 on Catalina. Big Sur (prise) tho worked fine.

[@user-js3vk4oq2h]

Thank you SOOOOO MUCH! this saved me! Also GREAT video - you included just the need to know and not all the babble! I will always remember this act of kindness you put out in the world. Thank you so much again!

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Thank you very much @user-js3vk4oq2h !!👍

[@kjacobi]

Thanks for the video. BTW, for anyone interested, I just faced this issue but didn't have an older Mac. I did pull it off with VMware and Big Sur 11.1. It was a process but it worked without suprises. Good luck all. Saved a trip to visit 'the Geniuses' lol.

[@snake7726]

Thanks a lot...almost 8hours finally I saw this vedio, it helps me a lot to solve my problem !! Really appreciate you to upload this vedik

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Thank you Yi Ying!!!

[@Loserkidwac]

OMG you are a life saver. Just got an open box macbook air and trying to wipe it cause me to end up with the exclamation point. Followed apple guide for DFU mode and had zero luck. Ironically your method works and apple seems to list the step wrong. Press and release the power and then hold the combo of keys...That didn't work. Followed along with you and the video and instantly got DFU mode. Twice in a row too since I tied to revive with no luck and had to do the restore. Thank you so much. I think I am tech savvy but this one was a real struggle. Very much appreciate you posting this and other videos that have been very helpful!

[@swupetey05]

Seems like it’s near impossible to get it in DFU mode without this video. Just wanted to say thanks. Such a lifesaver. Really wish Apple would consider the end user before making these type of changes. 🤦‍♂️

[@omakarim]

This is amazing, THANK YOU Mr. Macintosh!

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Thank you very much!!!

[@C-Rockwell]

Legendary. it sucks you have to have a 2nd Mac, but if you can get your hands on a 2nd device this video saved me. I even took this to a MAC reseller and they couldn't accomplish this. Thank you so much!

[@ml24ml]

My guy, you just saved my data and my laptop another trip to apple support. You are awesome 😊

[@robertflores8789]

absolutely amazing video! Thank you so much!!

[@TonyToneFixMyPhone]

Changed USBCs like 3 times and getting same damn 5V 0.0A. This was the issue. Thank you !!!!

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Glad you got it Tony!!

[@lisandrocuello]

Thank you so much! I had my working Macbook Air M2 connected to power so everytime I tried turning off my dead Macbook Pro M1 it auto-restarted and couldn't ever turn it off with the cable plugged between them. Watching your video helped me realize I had to unplug my Macbook M2 from power and leave only the USBC cable between both macbooks.

[@husniddintogizov7324]

Finaly I find good tutorial for that! Thank you so much

[@Rawrenzify]

THANKYOU SO MUCH! Apple support couldn’t even help me 😭

[@Mr.Macintosh]

You bet Yeety!!!

[@asuengineer]

Thank you so much! Appreciate you and this video so much! Saved my Mac

[@cmatrix6720]

You are a great teacher. Thanks and keep going

[@sergiomguedes]

Mr. Macintosh thank you very much, your explanations are very good! Get DFU Mode easily, because as I pressed the MAC keys, I heard your count :-)

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Glad I could help Sergio! You will always remember 1-one-thousand - 17-one-thousand haha!

[@gij0nesy]

Amazing video. so clear and helpful.

[@ivayloangelov1200]

Really helpful. Thank you!

[@Bstall20]

This is awesome, thank you so much. I actually used windows macOS VM and Apple configurator and it worked a treat surprisingly!!

[@memotech1977]

Bro Can you help me

[@Doyle69]

I love the new boot mode on my M1 Macbook pro, for DFU mode I just wish when it says 'Keep holding to boot recovery mode' it had something like "Keep holding to boot into recovery mode" then something like "Release now for boot options or keep holding for DFU mode" then a little countdown started before enter DFU incase you no longer need it.

[@deontamorris4982]

EXTREMELY HELPFUL!!!! THANK YOU!

[@Mr.Macintosh]

You're welcome Deonta!!

[@aminrostamzade4938]

it worked greatly man ! you are my hero bro thank you so much for your great and easy solution man ❤️

[@techtiptroy]

As others have said, your counting was the key! So simple. I wish Configurator 2 would count us down too.. .but this was perfect. After HOURS of frustration. Thank you!!!

[@Mr.Macintosh]

I'm really glad this helped you @techtiptroy! I'm not sure why apple made it so hard.

[@serendipity1328]

​@@Mr.MacintoshI forgot my recovery key and don't remember apple id either and Mac setting does not allow me to boot from external drive either as it's kept on High Security mode. Will this method work so I can reinstall OS on my Mac?

[@ilhamramadhan4336]

You, saved me a long trip to the Apple Store. Thanks!

[@philipmatey4436]

This video is a life saver. Counting on my own didn’t help. This video is genius. If you follow you will get the time sequence perfectly

[@bharath9561]

Thank you so much. This worked and helped me recover my macbook pro m1.

[@joshbrock335]

OMFG! Bro you've saved my life! I've been trying to get into my iMac I had bought and it was stolen and then recovered and the thief locked me out remotely of my own computer! This worked first try and didn't cost me any additional money! Thank you so much! Seriously!

[@b20inside]

Did it work after connecting eternet?

[@nelsonpared9445]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Excellent instructions!

[@aminrostamzade4938]

You Are My Hero Man ! You save my life 😀 ! Thank you for create this useful video ! And Again Thank you for your great Content and your good channel ❤️

[@mostafaahmed1874]

It is realy very helpful,, thanks 😊.

[@sonicgirl3582]

Will storage from the device used to fix the m1 macbook be wasted? Or will storage not be taken up? And once you get to the start up screen can you unplug the cable? Sorry for all the questions lol

[@rubisingh6922]

This worked like a charm for me. Thanks alot

[@Mr.Macintosh]

You're welcome Rubi! 👍

[@dennisvandenplas6425]

thanks, this helped me a bunch!

[@naiga6833]

You're the real MVP! Thank you!

[@Fernramirez1]

You're a legend. Thank you!

[@diyfixtool830]

good job!!! Your work is detailed and useful!

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Thank you diyfixtool!!! 👍

[@andybizgan4481]

Thank you, really helpful

[@soyoungshin4131]

Thank you so much, this worked for me. You saved my life! Thank you so so much!!

[@Mr.Macintosh]

You're welcome Soyoung!!!

[@Josf1234]

I tried going through the Apple help pages and got super frustrated with it! They don’t mention that it only works when you plug in the USB-C cable in the first port. Thank YOU!

[@XInfinity2024]

Good video on how to do this. Can you make a video showing us how we can make our own MacOS IPSW files?

[@annahutchinson6354]

Thank you. I tried various things until I found this video. Solved! :-)

[@patrykk7967]

Thanks a lot, about 10 minutes and everything works :) Apple support 3 hours and nothing

[@buckbugs]

Nice tutorial. U saved my life. Thanks alot :)

[@Mr.Macintosh]

You bet @buckbugs!! I'm glad you are back up and running 👍

[@darienmoncree3980]

Can’t thank you enough. Heads up for future watchers: Make sure the second MacBook is using the same OS - OpenCore Legacy Patcher for older Macs Try a different cable. Two of the three ones I bought specifically because they claimed it’d do power + data didn’t work, and I couldn’t enter DFU mode without it

[@AndiSeven21]

thank you for the helpfull video bro

[@Dlightswitch_]

Thank you. this is a life saver

[@Alidesuga]

Amazing video and very helpful i want to buy an ID locked m1 MBP so will the password disappear after I use your DFU mode method

[@masonlawn8515]

you're a LEGEND! thank you SO MUCH!!

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Thank you masonlawn!!!!

[@Chomchom92]

Thanks for the video Mr Macintosh. It really helped out. I was wondering if you can use the Apple Configurator that is iCloud locked?

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Yes, you can BUT as soon as you boot it back up it will ask to activate and continue to be locked.

[@paperlessmovement]

You are awesome!! Thank you so much!

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Thank you very much Tom! 👍

THANKSS UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU ! you save my life ! i was block on recovery lock pending my Jamf Trial period and don't have the recovery Key ! And i have to say that i tried over 10 times de combo touch to go in dfu and then !!! Succefully go in DFU mode and restore my M1 ! again Thank U🥰😇🥳

[@NileshPatel_]

Great video! How to download IPSW for INTEL MAC?

[@Wagdi.Y.ALansi]

شكرا لك لقد افدتني كثيرا وتم حل مشكلتي مع الماك بوك برو وتمت العميلة من ماك بوك اير ❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@idpsalm3331]

Good this method will also allow u to remove efi locked code on ur t2 /m1 MacBook

[@techie_shivay]

Thankyou is not enough.. u saved me

[@NNNavarro]

Worked Great!!! thank y ou very much

[@Mr.Macintosh]

You're welcome Jorge!!

[@itzmeimmu9426]

helpfull this video. thanks

[@diegobilly1008]

Hello my friend great video.Formatting the M1 and re-installing MacOs will disable icloud? .Thanks in advance

[@shayarhashim7567]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@d.se1]

awesome! thx a lot !!! very good explained and showed, no unusual talks !))

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Thanks @baikoffski6548 !!!

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Hello @CONALMASPAINUK, The OCLP devs are still working on the patches for Sonoma and is not supported yet. As soon as OCLP is supported for Sonoma I will let everyone know asap.

[@johngoodger4082]

I have a 2021 M1 iMac and would like to know if I could safely try the process - entering DFU mode on it was a practice in case I have a serious issue

[@navjitgill]

Thanks for this! 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@Mr.Macintosh]

Glad it was helpful Navjit!

[@dedderina]

May I use this process to take the data from a macbook pro with m1 pro that has hardware issue and doesn't start?

[@Max-de2rt]

Hey @Mr. Macintosh ! Nice video, do you know if DFU mode will work on a Macbook air (M1) continuously booting with Black Screen of death. We used a brand new Logitech m360 keyboard and few seconds after been in the Driver installation process, the Mac went on this black screen infinite booting .