How do I recover a bricked M4 Mac mini after using 'Erase All Content and Settings'?

Question

How do I recover a bricked M4 Mac mini after using 'Erase All Content and Settings'?

Pre-Note: I understand this isn't a forum that Apple may monitor themselves, but I wanted to come here in case someone else comes across this issue. Its a serious issue, because Apple doesn't provide a more simple solution, for one to assume that every Mac purchaser has unlimited cash flow to even suggest one may have one or more extra Macs laying around is appalling to me. Since Apple touts the iPad (Pro/Air) especially the Apple Silicon M series versions as computer replacements you would think that fixing this issue would be something we could do with an iPad or iPhone to Mac. But, NO! (unless I am missing something.) and BTW, before someone snaps at me I followed Apple's instructions clearly step by step and no where in their instructions does it show that this could happen.

But here is my issue...

I've been a loyal Apple user since 1991—my first device was a Macintosh. I've always trusted Apple to deliver products that "just work," and I've stuck with the ecosystem for over 30 years.

That’s why this recent experience was so disappointing.

I recently used the “Erase All Content and Settings” feature on my new M4 Mac mini. I followed the process exactly as outlined in Apple’s own documentation. But after rebooting, the Mac became completely unresponsive—just a flashing amber light. It wouldn’t boot, and I had no tools or secondary Mac to restore it.

I ended up paying close to $100 just to travel to the nearest Apple Store to have it restored. As a disabled user, this wasn’t just an inconvenience—it was an enormous stressor and financial hit.

The problem isn’t just that it happened—it’s that there was no warning from Apple that this could happen. Apple should make it crystal clear that using this option may render your device inoperable and require in-store repair or advanced recovery tools.

I’m shocked that such a well-promoted feature has this level of risk with no disclosure.

I hope Apple takes this feedback seriously. Please update the system messaging, improve recovery options, and support those of us who can’t easily get to a store. For a company with Apple’s resources and reputation, this is something that needs to be addressed immediately.

Thank you.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Mac mini, macOS 15.4

Posted on May 9, 2025 12:20 AM

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Answer 1

Ingo2711

Level 9

77,769 points

May 9, 2025 12:54 AM in response to MobileMeKevin

Did you also use the Feedback link to tell Apple directly about your issues and wishes for future macOS updates?

Feedback - Mac mini - Apple

Did the people at the Genuis Bar find any hardware or software issues?

Erase your Mac and reset it to factory settings - Apple Support

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

66,758 points

May 9, 2025 02:28 PM in response to MobileMeKevin

I would suggest contacting Apple corporate to let them know about your less than stellar experience.

Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple

I agree Apple products are very unfriendly when something goes wrong with the recent models. Expecting a user to have access to another Mac currently running macOS 15.x Sequoia to perform a DFU Firmware Revive or Restore is crazy. It should be able to be accomplished with access to any other computer running any other OS. If that is not possible, then there is a design flaw in their product that needs to be addressed. Of course that is just one of many issues with the recent Macs.

FYI, you are correct that Apple does not participate on these forums and I highly doubt they even look at them to look for problem issues.

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Answer 3

May 25, 2025 02:11 PM in response to MobileMeKevin

UPDATE: 05/25/2025:

I wanted to provide an update to this issue and say that on my end the issue was resolved. This does not mean that the issue is resolved on Apple's end or not. But I would suspect that it was corrected in macOS 15.5

So, if you plan to resell your Apple Silicon Mac (M4 Mac mini for me) you may want to make sure its been updated to macOS 15.5 before you do the "Erase All Contents and Settings." as suggested by Apple if you want to wipe your Mac clean and have it ready for a new owner.

The rest of the details below describe the incident, how it made my new M4 Mac mini unusable and because not everyone owns more than one Mac let alone have known friends the can lend you theirs to do a Firmware recovery via DFU mode. I was lucky enough for my sister who lived several miles away drive me 50 miles to the nearest Apple Store but, even while the M4 Mac mini was recovered it wasn't until I attempted to use the Wallet and Apple Pay on the Mac that I ran into another issue with security. Hopefully, this long read will be useful to others...

Subject: Case Summary – M4 Mac mini: Erase All Contents and Settings Issue & Resolution

Device: M4 Mac mini

macOS Version at Onset: Pre-15.5 (15.4.1. or before)

Initial Issue Date: Sunday, May 18, 2025

Final Resolution Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025 - of Second Erase All Contents and Settings.

Issue Summary:

After initiating Erase All Contents and Settings on my new M4 Mac mini, the system became unresponsive and failed to reboot. This rendered the device unusable without external intervention. The event required the Mac mini to be placed into DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode and restored at an Apple Store.

Following the recovery, I lost access to Wallet and Apple Pay on the Mac due to security flags triggered during the restore process.

This issue appears to have been caused by firmware corruption in the initial version of macOS running on the M4 Mac mini, which made the Erase All Contents and Settings function unstable.

⸻

Resolution Process:

After the DFU recovery, the following steps were taken (with guidance from ChatGPT) to ensure the issue would not reoccur and to restore full system functionality:

1. Initial Setup Post-DFU:

• Completed the standard setup workflow.

• Signed in with my Apple Account.

• Allowed iCloud and system services to fully sync and initialize.

• Avoided installing third-party apps or altering system settings.

2. System Update:

• Verified and installed the macOS 15.5 update, which included stability and firmware-related fixes likely aimed at resolving this known issue.

3. Second Attempt of Erase All Contents and Settings:

• Performed Erase All Contents and Settings again, now on macOS 15.5.

• This time, the reset completed successfully without rendering the device unusable.

• The Mac mini rebooted and allowed me to set up the device as expected.

4. Security Feature Restoration:

• The previous Wallet and Apple Pay restrictions, likely triggered during the DFU restore process, were now lifted.

• I regained full functionality of these services on the Mac.

⸻

Outcome:

• The issue appears to have been caused by a firmware-level flaw in the macOS build that shipped with the M4 Mac mini.

• Updating to macOS 15.5 resolved the instability, allowing a successful use of Erase All Contents and Settings.

• Wallet and Apple Pay access was fully restored after the second reset.

• The problem has not recurred since completing these steps.

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How do I recover a bricked M4 Mac mini after using 'Erase All Content and Settings'?

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