Stuck in internet recovery mode with 2003f or 2001f or 1008f failure.

I wiped my mbp 2018 15 inch model SSD for partition and clean install. After doing so I enter internet recovery mode (command + R, command + option + R, command + option + shift + R) all leading to the same internet recovery option which is ending with error like 2001f, 2003f, 1008f. Tried to install from bootable usb but irrespective of selecting the bootable drive it is moving to internet recovery options. I am stuck please help me!!

MacBook Pro (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Sep 7, 2025 8:07 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 7, 2025 12:46 PM

Unless you modified the system security settings for the T2 laptop (2018-2020 Intel) using the Startup Security Utility before erasing the T2 laptop, then a bootable macOS USB installer is worthless at this time until you get an OS installed & set up on it.


If you did have the laptop configured to boot from USB, then you will need access to another Mac compatible with macOS 10.14 to 15.x so that you can use the instructions in the following Apple article to create a bootable macOS USB installer:

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support


A Mac generally from 2012 to 2025 can be used to create a USB installer (that Mac can only create USB installers compatible with itself). For example a MBPro 13" (mid-2012) laptop can create a bootable macOS 10.14 to 10.15 USB installer for your 2018 laptop.



Otherwise, your only option to reinstall macOS is by using Internet Recovery Mode.


Those large negative errors are all related to network related issues. You must solve the network issues in order to access Internet Recovery Mode. Unfortunately Apple does not provide any details on what the various mysterious error codes mean except for the -1008f code:

If your Mac starts up to error -1008F - Apple Support


Otherwise, you can try power cycling your router and waiting at least five minutes for the router to finish booting before trying to boot into Internet Recovery Mode again. It is also possible your router is configured in a way that is blocking access, but your ISP could also be blocking it, or your network connection is too slow, or any number of other issues some of which are out of your control.


You can try connecting the laptop directly to the router using an Ethernet Cable and a USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter, or try booting into Internet Recovery Mode at another physical location where you will have a different router & local network and possibly using a different ISP. You can also go to the Apple Store for assistance or an Apple Authorized Service Provider although the latter will likely charge you for assistance.


You can also try performing a DFU Firmware Restore which resets the T2 security chip, system firmware, and internal SSD. Afterwards you will need to boot into Internet Recovery Mode to reinstall macOS. Unfortunately this procedure for the DFU Firmware Restore requires access to another Mac currently running macOS 15.x Sequoia (soon it will require macOS 26 Tahoe).


Also, why are you wiping & reinstalling macOS on this laptop? That same reason could be why you are having issues reinstalling macOS.


3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 7, 2025 12:46 PM in response to Perfect047

Unless you modified the system security settings for the T2 laptop (2018-2020 Intel) using the Startup Security Utility before erasing the T2 laptop, then a bootable macOS USB installer is worthless at this time until you get an OS installed & set up on it.


If you did have the laptop configured to boot from USB, then you will need access to another Mac compatible with macOS 10.14 to 15.x so that you can use the instructions in the following Apple article to create a bootable macOS USB installer:

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support


A Mac generally from 2012 to 2025 can be used to create a USB installer (that Mac can only create USB installers compatible with itself). For example a MBPro 13" (mid-2012) laptop can create a bootable macOS 10.14 to 10.15 USB installer for your 2018 laptop.



Otherwise, your only option to reinstall macOS is by using Internet Recovery Mode.


Those large negative errors are all related to network related issues. You must solve the network issues in order to access Internet Recovery Mode. Unfortunately Apple does not provide any details on what the various mysterious error codes mean except for the -1008f code:

If your Mac starts up to error -1008F - Apple Support


Otherwise, you can try power cycling your router and waiting at least five minutes for the router to finish booting before trying to boot into Internet Recovery Mode again. It is also possible your router is configured in a way that is blocking access, but your ISP could also be blocking it, or your network connection is too slow, or any number of other issues some of which are out of your control.


You can try connecting the laptop directly to the router using an Ethernet Cable and a USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter, or try booting into Internet Recovery Mode at another physical location where you will have a different router & local network and possibly using a different ISP. You can also go to the Apple Store for assistance or an Apple Authorized Service Provider although the latter will likely charge you for assistance.


You can also try performing a DFU Firmware Restore which resets the T2 security chip, system firmware, and internal SSD. Afterwards you will need to boot into Internet Recovery Mode to reinstall macOS. Unfortunately this procedure for the DFU Firmware Restore requires access to another Mac currently running macOS 15.x Sequoia (soon it will require macOS 26 Tahoe).


Also, why are you wiping & reinstalling macOS on this laptop? That same reason could be why you are having issues reinstalling macOS.


Sep 8, 2025 7:17 AM in response to Perfect047

Perfect047 wrote:

The reason for clean wiping is for partitioning SSD for seperate macos and application drive and other for my usage.

Do not partition the drive. There is absolutely no need to have multiple partitions these days. If you want to have a separate area on the drive, then make a new APFS volume which acts just like a partition, but does not require you to specify any size limitations. All APFS volumes within a single Container will share the same storage pool, but can be mounted & unmounted individually, plus each one can be encrypted individually.


Also, keep all of your applications at their default location in the Applications folder. These days some applications may not run correctly when stored elsewhere....they may appear to run Ok, but you may discover some things may not work correctly such as automatic application updates.


FYI, macOS doesn't like people customizing macOS in this manner. Only relocate your own user created data to other locations. Apple does provide instructions for relocating libraries which typically contain large amounts of data such as iTunes/Music, Videos, and Photos libraries.


Regarding the internet issue I tried it with 3 different vendors service. But still stuck on the 200x series error. While solving found 1008f is for issue related to macbook connected with apple id so cleaned from there too.
For DFU restore I would require another mac that is what I don't have so didn't tried it till now.

That may be your only option at this point since the DFU Firmware Revive/Restore is supposed to fix some Recovery Mode issues.....whether you do it or Apple/AASP does it.


Sep 8, 2025 12:42 AM in response to HWTech

The reason for clean wiping is for partitioning SSD for seperate macos and application drive and other for my usage.

Regarding the internet issue I tried it with 3 different vendors service. But still stuck on the 200x series error. While solving found 1008f is for issue related to macbook connected with apple id so cleaned from there too.

For DFU restore I would require another mac that is what I don't have so didn't tried it till now.

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Stuck in internet recovery mode with 2003f or 2001f or 1008f failure.

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