macOS Sonoma Simplifies Restoring a Mac in DFU Mode

With the macOS Sonoma update that's coming this fall, Apple is making it simpler to revive or restore a Mac that is stuck in DFU mode. With the new software, you can initiate a Mac-to-Mac restoration process right from the Finder app.

mac studio green
In macOS Ventura and earlier, reviving or restoring a Mac requires a second Mac that has the Apple Configurator app installed, but in ‌macOS Sonoma‌, Apple Configurator is no longer required.


Restoring or reviving using Finder is basically the same process as restoring with Configurator, just without the need for additional software. The two Macs will still need to be connected to one another through a USB-C cable, and the same steps will likely apply. Both machines will need to have ‌macOS Sonoma‌ installed to use Finder for a restore.

DFU mode can occur when there is a power failure during a macOS update or upgrade, leading to a Mac that is unresponsive. In this situation, a second Mac is required to get the affected Mac back to a functional state.

‌macOS Sonoma‌ is in beta testing at the current time, and is expected to see a launch in a month or two.

Related Roundup: macOS Sonoma
Related Forum: macOS Sonoma

Top Rated Comments

Darren.h Avatar
6 weeks ago
wow. you still need 2 Macs to rescue your Mac from death. why cant they make it like Intel Macs ? Boot with a USB drive or something and re install?

your already in trouble if the SSD on the SOC goes bad. data gone forever.

Long live the External Hard Drives!
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HiVolt Avatar
6 weeks ago
You know what would be nice, that on the upcoming iPhones with USB-C, if they could have an app on the iPhones that could do that.

Perhaps they might at some point. and on the iPads that have had USB-C for quite some time.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheOldChevy Avatar
6 weeks ago
Why isn't there a ROM function for that purpose ? Security reason ?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mxrider88 Avatar
6 weeks ago
It stands for Dont ****ing Update.

That’s because they crippled macOS so much that we should really stop updating to avoid issues.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
noraa Avatar
6 weeks ago

I want internet recovery back :(
Internet recovery is still there, it’s just been merged with the regular recovery. If you boot into recovery mode, internet recovery will automatically happen if the built-in recovery partition is damaged, otherwise you’ll boot off that partition. However, as far as I can tell, there is no way to force an internet recovery.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
markfc Avatar
6 weeks ago
Wait! You cant just restore from USB? I need to buy two Macs now in case one messes up?
Jesus Christ. ?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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