Rebuild an Apple Silicon Mac

On this page:

Overview

These instructions provide a quick reference guide and may not cover all current Macs.

Note:

For HTS-built Macs, refer to the rebuild process in You do not have sufficient permission to view this document., rather than the instructions here.

Before you start the rebuild process, make sure you have:

The Apple Silicon Mac that will be wiped and restored (the target Mac). This process does not work for Intel Macs.
An Intel or Apple Silicon Mac with a current macOS that has USB-C ports (the host Mac).
Apple Configurator 2 installed on the host Mac.
The appropriate .ipsw files on the host Mac and the target Mac. Download current macOS .ipsw files from the Apple Silicon M1/M2/M3 macOS IPSW Firmware Restore Files Database.
A USB-C cable.

On the host Mac, connect the USB-C cable to any USB-C port. On the target Mac:

Mac laptop: Connect the USB-C cable to the left hand side USB-C port that is closest to the back of the Mac or screen.
Apple Silicon Mac mini: Use the USB-C port closest to the Ethernet port.
Apple Silicon iMac: Use the USB-C port closest to the power plug.

On the host Mac, launch Apple Configurator 2.
Press and hold down the Power button, the right shift key, the left Optionkey, and the left ctrl key for 10 seconds.
After 10 seconds, release everything except for the Power button. Continue to hold down the Power button until the target Mac appears in Apple Configurator 2. The target Mac will not show any screen activity.
Drag the appropriate .ipsw file to the Mac icon in Apple Configurator 2. A prompt will appear and ask you to choose Restore or Refresh; to wipe the system and install a new OS, select Restore.
Once the Restore is finished, the target Mac will restart and you can disconnect the USB-C cable. The target Mac is ready to be configured.