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> I also wasted far too much time trying to get the DFU restore to work before discovering that you cannot use a Thunderbolt cable — it has to be done using a p

> I also wasted far too much time trying to get the DFU restore to work before discovering that you cannot use a Thunderbolt cable — it has to be done using a plain USB-C cable, otherwise the Apple Configurator simply won't detect the other Mac. I would have expected a Thunderbolt cable to be required, if either was. This is quite surprising to me. Usually, the more capable (higher bandwidth) cable works if one isn’t supported. I’ll hope to remember this is I ever find myself reviving a bricked Mac in the future.

vbezhenar 3y ago
I restored my Macbook just one hour ago with crappy USB-C USB-A cable, god bless the libimobiledevice creator.
spacedcowboy 3y ago
I am currently restoring an MBP using Configurator and a thunderbolt cable. You definitely can use one, perhaps your TB cable is buggered ?
brigade 3y ago
It's done over USB 2.0 largely because that's simpler than involving newer and faster specs, and partly because that's how the original iPhone did it. My understanding is that all complaint USB USB-C cables should work for USB 2.0, even USB4/TB4 cables, but active TB3 cables might not hook up the USB 2.0 pins.
phillco 3y ago
I've used a Thunderbolt cable as well successfully, but one note is that they're very picky about which port you use. On my Mac mini, I had to use the exact port outlined here or it did not show up: https://support.apple.com/guide/apple-configurator-mac/revive-or-restore-a-mac-with-apple-silicon-apdd5f3c75ad/mac https://support.apple.com/guide/apple-configurator-mac/reviv...
- microtherion 3y ago
  Yes, this is absolutely key. Only one of the USB ports per machine supports this functionality.
nnf 3y ago
From Apple’s support page on how to revive or restore after a failed upgrade [1]: > A supported USB-C to USB-C charge cable, such as the one sold by Apple (may not be available in all countries or regions) or a supported USB-A to USB-C cable > The USB-C cable must support both power and data. Thunderbolt 3 cables aren’t supported. [1] https://support.apple.com/guide/apple-configurator-mac/revive-or-restore-a-mac-with-apple-silicon-apdd5f3c75ad/mac https://support.apple.com/guide/apple-configurator-mac/reviv...

vbezhenar 3y ago

I restored my Macbook just one hour ago with crappy USB-C USB-A cable, god bless the libimobiledevice creator.

spacedcowboy 3y ago

I am currently restoring an MBP using Configurator and a thunderbolt cable. You definitely can use one, perhaps your TB cable is buggered ?

brigade 3y ago

It's done over USB 2.0 largely because that's simpler than involving newer and faster specs, and partly because that's how the original iPhone did it. My understanding is that all complaint USB USB-C cables should work for USB 2.0, even USB4/TB4 cables, but active TB3 cables might not hook up the USB 2.0 pins.

phillco 3y ago

I've used a Thunderbolt cable as well successfully, but one note is that they're very picky about which port you use. On my Mac mini, I had to use the exact port outlined here or it did not show up: https://support.apple.com/guide/apple-configurator-mac/revive-or-restore-a-mac-with-apple-silicon-apdd5f3c75ad/mac https://support.apple.com/guide/apple-configurator-mac/reviv...

microtherion 3y ago
Yes, this is absolutely key. Only one of the USB ports per machine supports this functionality.

nnf 3y ago

From Apple’s support page on how to revive or restore after a failed upgrade [1]: > A supported USB-C to USB-C charge cable, such as the one sold by Apple (may not be available in all countries or regions) or a supported USB-A to USB-C cable > The USB-C cable must support both power and data. Thunderbolt 3 cables aren’t supported. [1] https://support.apple.com/guide/apple-configurator-mac/revive-or-restore-a-mac-with-apple-silicon-apdd5f3c75ad/mac https://support.apple.com/guide/apple-configurator-mac/reviv...