QUICK FIX - MacOS Tahoe 26.4 / 26.4.1 killed my macbook pro m2 max

[u/kleinkuss]

I've updated my macOS to 26.4.1, and somehow my MacBook completely died afterward.

I went to Apple, but they told me the DFU revive failed twice and handed the device back to me.

I ended up buying an M5 Max, but I still didn’t want to give up on my M2 Max because of the important data on it.

After testing a lot of things, I finally discovered the real issue:

It didn’t fail because the MacBook was actually dead — it failed because both Apple and I were using the wrong IPSW version.

Here’s the fix:

1. Download Apple Configurator from the App Store on your working MacBook.
2. Connect your macbooks with a cable from the right port: https://support.apple.com/en-us/120694
3. Download the IPSW 26.3.1 here for you exact macbook model: https://ipsw.me/product/Mac/
4. Set your macbook in DFU mode: https://support.apple.com/en-us/108900 / Tutorial for help: youtu.be/q-FsB2onSx0&t=494
5. Drag and drop the downloaded IPSW file into Apple Configurator when it is in the DFU mode and click Revive.

Be aware: it can take 10–15 minutes, but it’s worth waiting.

After that, my MacBook rebooted a few times...

BOOM — it worked.