I have a 2017 Intel MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar that no longer has a working operating system. Internet Recovery initially failed, and the Mac also wouldn't boot from a USB installer. I tried using a newer M1 MacBook Pro to place the older Mac into DFU mode, using the recommended key combination, several USB cables, and different ports, but it never appeared in Finder or Apple Configurator. I've since learned that this model may not support the DFU process I was attempting. Internet Recovery can now reach the disk-selection screen, but selecting the internal drive produces a warning that the disk has SMART errors and cannot be repaired. What are my options for replacing or working around the failed internal storage and reinstalling macOS?
2 Answers
A 2017 MacBook Pro doesn’t have the T2 chip, so it can’t be restored through the newer Mac DFU process. T2-based DFU support starts with later Intel models, and even there it’s mainly for repairing the security chip’s firmware—not reinstalling macOS. The USB connection also has to use the designated DFU port, so changing ports wouldn’t help on a compatible model.
The fact that Internet Recovery reaches the installer suggests the main problem is the internal drive rather than firmware. Try Option-Command-R to request the newest macOS version supported by the Mac, but the SMART warning is serious: it means the drive is reporting hardware failure and Disk Utility generally can’t repair that. Back up anything important if the disk is still readable, then replace the internal SSD or have the machine serviced before reinstalling macOS.
Using that recovery shortcut got me further, but the installer identified SMART errors on the internal disk. I’ll need to focus on replacing the drive before trying the installation again.
That explains why the Mac never appeared in Configurator. I had hoped a firmware restore would make it boot from USB, but it looks like I need another approach.