Unable to restore MacBook Pro 2018 via DFU or bootable USB

Ransoni wrote:

1. I have an MacBook Pro 2018, model A1989.

Situation with it is that the startup disk got corrupted. And for some reason I'm unable to do the Internet recovery, since that always fails with some 200x serier of error.

I then tried to create an bootable installation media, on a hard drive I've been previously using for this purpose. But for some reason, when powering up the machine while pressing the Alt-key, it shows me this bootable media, but after I select it, it will still then start with the Internet recovery.

That 2018 MBP was running just fine before I decided to clean it ** doing the internet recovery, which then halted with that 2003F error, and after that I've been having more and more issuer with this recovery.

-2003F the Wi-Fi Network is inadequate error for some reason...

booting externally —

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

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

verify you are running the current version from the Apple Configurator app in the App Store

ref: How to revive or restore Mac firmware - Apple Support

In order to perform a DFU Firmware Revive or Restore will require access to another Mac running macOS 15.x Sequoia regardless of the information in Apple's documentation.

FYI, if you perform a DFU Firmware Restore, then you will then need to use Internet Recovery Mode in order to reinstall macOS since there will be no way for you to re-enable booting from USB until macOS is reinstalled and has a valid macOS admin user account enabled. To fix possible issues with Recovery Mode, you should first try a DFU Firmware Revive instead which should be enough to resolve most issues except for issues related to the internal SSD. AFAIK, that is the only difference between a DFU Revive & Restore.

I doubt that network error is related to anything a DFU Firmware Revive or Restore will fix.

As for putting the T2 Mac into DFU Mode, that can be very tricky. It can sometimes take a dozen attempts until you may get it right. Make sure the laptop is completely powered off. I personally like to press the Caps Lock key while the laptop is powered on so I know when the Caps Lock LED goes out, then the laptop is fully powered off. This is a critical first step. And pay attention to the instructions @leroydouglas linked......follow them exactly by pressing the power button & release it, then press all four keys/buttons simultaneously. It helps if Apple Configurator 2 is already open, or you have a Finder window open so you can see when the host Mac detects the other Mac in DFU Mode. And make sure the USB cable is connect to the correct USB-C port which for an Intel laptop is the front left port (always read the instructions since Apple does use different ports on different models for some unknown reason).