Unable to restore MacOS to M4 Mac Mini using DFU with Configurator and Finder

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Level 1

4 points

Unable to restore MacOS to M4 Mac Mini using DFU with Configurator and Finder

My friend that I am helping, has upgraded the M4 MM SSD to 2TB. ( I successfully did the upgrade on my MM so he is asking for my help)

He connected his 2020 M1 MB Air to the MM using a USB-C cable (middle port on MM) and has run DFU on the MM and this appears in both Finder and Apple Configurator on the Air.

He has tried several times to get the MacOS onto the SSD but it fails each time, with different errors, with the last one stating it gave up waiting.

He didn't have a monitor or keyboard/ mouse attached to MM.

Any advice / Help appreciated

The System cannot be restored

on this device. Gave up waiting for device to transition from Recovery state to

BootedOS state.

[com.apple.MobileDevice.Mobile-

Restore - 0xFC9 (4041)]

Mac mini (M4, 2024)

Posted on Oct 22, 2025 1:23 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

MartinR

Level 7

24,017 points

Oct 22, 2025 7:11 AM in response to glennkelly

glennkelly wrote:

My friend that I am helping, has upgraded the M4 MM SSD to 2TB. ( I successfully did the upgrade on my MM so he is asking for my help)

Put the original Apple SSD back in the mini and try again. If it works with the original SSD that would tell you that the "new upgraded" SSD is either incompatible or bad.

Also, make sure you are connecting to the correct DFU port -> How to identify the DFU port on Mac - Apple Support

And, FWIW, I'd connect a display to the target mini. Use the HDMI port for the display. You should be able to use Bluetooth for a keyboard & mouse/trackpad but not one of the USB ports.

One further note ... if you run into trouble with that mini with a non-original SSD inside; or deemed to have been caused by the SSD or your placement of it in the mini , Apple will probably not provide any warranty or Applecare coverage for any repair.

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Answer 2

glennkelly Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 6, 2025 5:57 AM in response to glennkelly

Turned out to be a faulty drive. I got a replacement 2TB and connected a Mouse, Keyboard and HDMI connection to an external monitor and used a woven iPhone USBC cable and successfully upgraded the drive for a very happy friend :-)

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Answer 3

Oct 22, 2025 5:03 AM in response to glennkelly

FWIW, Technically Apple does not support user upgrade of the SSD in the M4 MacMini. As such, the terms of use of this forum does not allow discussion of such.

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Answer 4

glennkelly Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 22, 2025 6:27 AM in response to woodmeister50

FWIW I have checked the TOU and can't find that - but thank you!

Still hopeful someone can help with the issue, even if Apple don't provide support for user upgrades - At users risk.:-)

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Answer 5

glennkelly Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 22, 2025 7:03 AM in response to MartinR

Thanks Martin - We will try that - it was an option but we haven't got that far, but will do it.

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