I have a 2017 Intel MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar that no longer has a bootable operating system. Internet Recovery hasn't worked, and the Mac won't boot from a USB installer. I also tried connecting it to a newer M1 Mac and entering DFU mode, using several USB cables and ports, but it never appears in Finder or Apple Configurator. I later managed to reach the installer using Option-Command-R, but Disk Utility reports that the internal drive has SMART errors that cannot be repaired and recommends replacing it. What are my recovery or repair options?
3 Answers
The initial behavior sounds like the Mac’s firmware can’t find a usable operating system. Try Internet Recovery with Option-Command-R, which attempts to install the newest macOS version supported by the Mac rather than reinstalling the version previously installed. If the installer identifies the internal disk, check its health before attempting a reinstall.
A 2017 MacBook Pro doesn’t have the T2 security chip, so it can’t be placed into DFU mode. T2-based DFU recovery was introduced on later Intel models, and using an M1 Mac to revive firmware won’t apply here. Also, DFU recovery on supported T2 Macs is mainly for repairing firmware, not installing macOS, so it wouldn’t normally solve an operating-system or failing-drive problem anyway.
That explains why nothing appeared when I tried the key combinations. I was hoping a firmware restore might at least let me boot from USB, but it sounds like I need to pursue another repair route.
A SMART error means the internal storage is reporting a hardware-level problem, not just a damaged macOS installation. Back up or copy off any important data if the disk is still readable, then plan on replacing the drive or having the Mac serviced. Reinstalling macOS or restoring firmware won’t repair a drive that is failing SMART checks.
That key combination got me further. The installer now sees the internal disk, but it reports SMART errors that can’t be repaired and says the drive should be replaced. So the storage device appears to be the actual failure.