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How to get into “TRUE” DFU mode on M1?

Does anyone know how to get into “TRUE” DFU mode. Currently, trying to reinstall ventura os and getting libusrestore error: 21 [com.apple.MobileDevice.MobileRestore - 0x15 (21)].


Already wiped everything and can’t even get into start-up options to try and boot with an external drive. It goes straight to the exclamation mark with the support.apple.com/mac/restore.


I noticed that “TRUE” DFU mode has “Apple Configurator” at the bottom of the dotted square but I currently have “Macbook Pro” showing.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Feb 18, 2023 10:40 PM

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Posted on Feb 19, 2023 10:06 AM

If you have a 2018+ Mac with a T2 security chip or an Apple Silicon Mac, then here are the Apple articles for "Restoring" the firmware & macOS using DFU Mode:

Revive or restore an Intel-based Mac using Apple Configurator - Apple Support


Revive or restore a Mac with Apple silicon using Apple Configurator - Apple Support


You will need access to another Mac running macOS 10.15+ in order to perform the "Restore".


In order to boot to an external USB drive or installer, then you will first need to boot into Recovery Mode (Command + R) or Internet Recovery Mode (Command + Option + R) where you will need to use the Apple Startup Security Utility in order to modify the Mac's security settings to allow for booting from USB:

About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip - Apple Support


Here is an Apple article with instructions for creating a bootable macOS USB installer which requires access to another Qualifying Mac which is compatible with the OS you are trying to create:

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support


The firmware "Restore" option may be required for T2 and Apple Silicon Macs when other options fail.


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Question marked as Best reply

Feb 19, 2023 10:06 AM in response to benjlee74

If you have a 2018+ Mac with a T2 security chip or an Apple Silicon Mac, then here are the Apple articles for "Restoring" the firmware & macOS using DFU Mode:

Revive or restore an Intel-based Mac using Apple Configurator - Apple Support


Revive or restore a Mac with Apple silicon using Apple Configurator - Apple Support


You will need access to another Mac running macOS 10.15+ in order to perform the "Restore".


In order to boot to an external USB drive or installer, then you will first need to boot into Recovery Mode (Command + R) or Internet Recovery Mode (Command + Option + R) where you will need to use the Apple Startup Security Utility in order to modify the Mac's security settings to allow for booting from USB:

About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip - Apple Support


Here is an Apple article with instructions for creating a bootable macOS USB installer which requires access to another Qualifying Mac which is compatible with the OS you are trying to create:

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support


The firmware "Restore" option may be required for T2 and Apple Silicon Macs when other options fail.


How to get into “TRUE” DFU mode on M1?

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