When you put an Apple Silicon Mac into DFU mode and connect it to a host Mac, you have a choice. macOS Finder will automatically pop up asking if you want to Restore it. But Apple also offers a free app called Apple Configurator. Which one should you use to flash the Mac firmware?
Why Apple Configurator is the Superior Choice
While Finder works fine for iPhones, it is severely lacking when it comes to Mac-to-Mac restores. Apple Configurator provides visual feedback, diagnostic logs, and crucial features that Finder lacks.
1. The "Revive" Feature
Finder only offers a "Restore" button, which completely wipes the target Mac's SSD. Apple Configurator offers an Advanced menu with a "Revive Device" option. A Revive reinstalls the core firmware and recoveryOS without touching the user data volume. If your Mac crashed during a software update, a Revive can fix it while saving all your personal files.
2. Visual Status
Finder gives you a tiny spinning pie chart. Configurator visually shows the Mac entering DFU mode, switching to Recovery mode, downloading the IPSW, unzipping the firmware, and installing the system. If an error occurs, Configurator gives you a detailed console log.
3. Drag-and-Drop IPSW Support
With Configurator, you can simply drag a Universal Mac IPSW downloaded from our site directly onto the DFU square to begin the flash process, bypassing Apple's slow native download speeds.
Related Guides
If you are troubleshooting Apple firmware issues or managing device updates, explore our other step-by-step guides: