My Macbook pro 2019 only starts on spinning globe mode after attempting to erase hard disk, and never finishes internet recovery process to the end. Doesn't reboot into target mode when selected from start up option.
MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 10.15
HWTech aka Grant,
Thanks for your prompt reply.
Short version:
I didn't understand the steps involved.
Long version
I was attempting to erase and install the system on my MacBook Pro in preparation to sending it to Apple to be used as trade-in for a new MacBook Pro 14". I am happy to say the issue was resolved by an Apple support agent. However, I am also embarrassed to say that the problem I was having was due to my not understanding that after reaching Apple's servers there is a second message that appears requesting connecting to a WiFi access point. At the start of the process, as you are aware, you have to connect to a WiFi access point. It was not clear to me why the second request appeared leaving me with the impression that somehow my connection had failed. The only options I could find were under the Apple menu, Erase and Startup Disk. Choosing first one Erase, resulted in a progress bar, followed by the screen going black. After the MacBook rebooted I chose Startup Disk and Startup in Target Mode since no disk was shown as available which resulted in a black screen and the continual loop of the MacBook rebooting into Internet Recovery Mode no matter what keyboard combination I tried such as pressing T for target mode plus attempting to zap p-ram.
The support agent was very patient with my frustration and explained I had to click on a very, very small greyed out WiFi icon in the upper right corner of the MenuBar! How small was it? It was so small even after the agent pointed me to it I did not recognize what it was until I clicked on it. I would have thought instead of simply presenting a request to choose a WiFi access point identical to the one at the start of the process somehow the UI would have pointed the user, me, to that icon and then the list of access points would appear. But my bad, I guess.
If you've read this far, WOW! and thanks again for your reply
PL11
HWTech aka Grant,
Thanks for your prompt reply.
Short version:
I didn't understand the steps involved.
Long version
I was attempting to erase and install the system on my MacBook Pro in preparation to sending it to Apple to be used as trade-in for a new MacBook Pro 14". I am happy to say the issue was resolved by an Apple support agent. However, I am also embarrassed to say that the problem I was having was due to my not understanding that after reaching Apple's servers there is a second message that appears requesting connecting to a WiFi access point. At the start of the process, as you are aware, you have to connect to a WiFi access point. It was not clear to me why the second request appeared leaving me with the impression that somehow my connection had failed. The only options I could find were under the Apple menu, Erase and Startup Disk. Choosing first one Erase, resulted in a progress bar, followed by the screen going black. After the MacBook rebooted I chose Startup Disk and Startup in Target Mode since no disk was shown as available which resulted in a black screen and the continual loop of the MacBook rebooting into Internet Recovery Mode no matter what keyboard combination I tried such as pressing T for target mode plus attempting to zap p-ram.
The support agent was very patient with my frustration and explained I had to click on a very, very small greyed out WiFi icon in the upper right corner of the MenuBar! How small was it? It was so small even after the agent pointed me to it I did not recognize what it was until I clicked on it. I would have thought instead of simply presenting a request to choose a WiFi access point identical to the one at the start of the process somehow the UI would have pointed the user, me, to that icon and then the list of access points would appear. But my bad, I guess.
If you've read this far, WOW! and thanks again for your reply
PL11
Boot into Internet Recovery Mode using Command + Option + R since it may be trying to boot into the local recovery mode.
You may need to perform a DFU firmware Revive.
Why did you erase this laptop? The reason why you are performing a clean install may be the same reason you are having issues booting into Internet Recovery Mode.
Did you ever modify the laptop's security settings to allow booting from USB? If so, then you can try creating & using a bootable macOS USB installer if you have access to another compatible Mac generally from 2012 to 2024.
Also make sure to disconnect all external devices from the laptop in case one of them is causing a problem.
internet recovery, as indicated by the spinning globe, may take a quarter hour to complete its download and be ready to go.
I'm glad you were able sort everything out. Thanks for the follow up.
My Macbook pro 2019 only starts on spinning globe mode
