Apple Silicon macOS Big Sur IPSW Firmware Restore File Database
How to download Apple Silicon M1 macOS IPSW Restore Files. You can use them with Apple Configurator 2 and a 2nd Mac for quick restores.
UPDATED: 3/25/24
With the introduction of the new Apple Silicon M1 Mac, you can now reinstall macOS with Apple Configurator 2 and IPSW files just like iOS! This page is a database of all macOS IPSW Files. The macOS ISPW firmware files database will be updated when new updates are released.
Table of Contents
1. macOS Sonoma Final IPSW Firmware files
2.macOS Sonoma Beta IPSW Firmware files
3. macOS Ventura Final IPSW Firmware files
4. macOS Monterey Final IPSW Firmware Files
5. macOS Big Sur Final IPSW Firmware Files
6. macOS Vetura Beta IPSW Firmware Files
7. macOS Monterey Beta IPSW Firmware Files
8. macOS Big Sur Beta IPSW Firmware Files
All download links are directly from Apple’s SUS Server.
For more information on how to reinstall macOS on your Apple Silicon Mac, I’ve written an article that goes over everything you need to know!
Mac Transition to Apple Silicon – Everything you Need to Know!
Apple Silicon Macs will be here soon!
Apple said the first Apple Silicon Mac will launch before the end of 2020. The launch date is quickly approaching, now is the time to get up to speed! I will be following my “Everything you need to know” format from my previous articles.
This article will be updated as new Apple Siliconinformation comes in.
The feedback that I’ve received from these has been really great. The big takeaway is that everyone really likes how all the information is all in one place. You are not wasting time looking for that one article, command or link.
NOTE: Everything in this article is public knowledge from Apple. Once the first Apple Silicon Mac ships, I will post more in depth articles.
Apple Silicon changes the way in which we enter recovery on the Mac. In the past, we had to remember multiple keyboard commands. On Apple Silicon, all you need to do is hold down the power button. In a few seconds, you will see the new Apple Silicon Startup Manager.
7. How to use the new start manager on Apple Silicon
To enter Apple Silicon Startup manager follow these steps.
1. Hold down the power button
2. You will see the message “Continue holding for startup options”
3. The next message will say “Loading Startup Options…”
4. You will now see the new Apple Silicon Startup Manager.
Apple Silicon Mac Startup Manager Options
The startup manager will show you the main boot disk (Macintosh HD) Boot icon and Recovery Options. Click “Options” to boot into macOS Recovery.
8. Internet Recovery is dead on Apple Silicon
Have you had trouble booting into Internet Recovery in the past? You are not alone. Now with Apple Silicon, Internet recovery is officially retired. It will still remain for Intel based Macs. For Apple Silicon we now have 3 different ways to reinstall macOS.
1. macOS Recovery = First line of recovery.
2. System Recovery = Hidden partition for when normal macOS recovery is not available.
3. macOS System Restore via DFU mode + Apple Configurator 2.
9. Apple Silicon macOS Recovery
Apple Silicon macOS Recovery is almost exactly the same as it is on Intel Based Macs. The only difference is Security Policy options was moved from the Menu bar to the “Startup Disk”.
First line of defense, is macOS Recovery.
10. Apple Silicon System Recovery
Apple Silicon System Recovery is a new hidden recovery option in addition to macOS Recovery. If for some reason macOS Recovery becomes corrupt, System recovery will load which is the same as macOS recovery. You can use it to reinstall macOS and macOS Recovery.
System Recovery is a hidden non deletable container. It’s a new way to reinstall macOS when recovery is not available.
11. Both macOS Recovery and System Recovery are not available?
The blinking folder icon is now retired. If the Mac is not bootable, you will now see an old friend.
The sad Mac returns when Macintosh HD, Recovery and System recovery are not available.
12. Apple Silicon External Boot Options – USB Installer
On Apple Silicon external boot remains, but has changed.
External Boot for the macOS installer is now enabled by default
You no longer need to enter Security Options to enable External Boot!
You can build out a USB Installer of macOS Big Sur and boot your Apple Silicon Mac to it. The big difference that ONLY the installer is available for a reinstall of the OS. You can NOT erase the drive in this mode.
You can now boot a USB macOS installer without enabling external boot in Security options! It’s enabled by default.
13. How to Use Apple Configurator 2 to reinstall macOS on Apple Silicon
If all options to reinstall macOS fail you can now use Apple Configurator 2.
This will help with rapid deployment in lab / school situations.
14. Apple Silicon Security Policy
We know that an Apple Silicon Mac will have 2 Security modes.
Apple Silicon Security Policy menu
1.Full Security = “iOS Security” – Only the latest signed version of macOS can be installed on an Apple Silicon Mac.
Full Security
Ensures that only your current OS, or signed operating system software currently trusted by Apple, can run. This mode requires a network connection at software installation time.
WWDC 2020
2. Reduced Security = Any version of macOS that was signed by Apple.
Reduced Security
Allows any version of signed operating system software ever trusted by Apple to run.
WWDC 2020
With the new Apple Silicon Security Policy, you can set a security policy for each container! On an Intel based Mac the security policy would be set on the entire system.
New Apple Silicon Security Policy can be set differently on each container.
15. Apple Silicon Compatible Versions of macOS
Will you be able to install older versions of macOS? A quick review;
Full Security = iOS based security, only the latest signed version of macOS can run on the system.
Reduced Security = Any version of macOS that was signed by Apple can run on Apple Silicon
Note: The shipping OS version will be the oldest OS available to install.
16. Can I downgrade macOS on Apple Silicon?
Yes! But only with your Apple Silicon Security Policy set to “Reduced Security”.
17. How to use SMB Mac Sharing Mode (Replaces Target Disk Mode – TDM)
Target Disk Mode has been retired on Apple Silicon. It was replaced with Apple Silicon Mac Sharing Mode.
Boot to macOS recovery and then select “Mac Sharing Mode” you will be able to transfer data over USB-C cable. You will need to authenticate with a SecureToken User that is on the host Mac.
Mac Sharing MOde replaces Target Disk Mode.
18. Apple Mac Mini Developer Transition Kit (DTK)
New Mac Developer Transition Kit with Apple Silicon, a comprehensive set of resources, and one-on-one technical support, you’ll have everything you need to get your Universal apps ready before Apple Silicon Macs become available to customers.– developer.apple.com/programs/universal/
Universal App Quick Start Program – Get your Universal apps ready. The Universal App Quick Start Program includes all the tools, resources, and support you need to build, test, and optimize your next-generation Universal apps for macOS Big Sur. – developer.apple.com/programs/universal/apply/
5. What’s New for Enterprise and Education WWDC 2020 June 2020 (v1.0) (AppleSeed Account Required)– appleseed.apple.com
6. AppleSeed – macOS 11.0 Big Sur Beta Release Notes(AppleSeed Account Required) – appleseed.apple.com
23. WWDC20 Video Links
Port your Mac app to Apple Silicon – Your porting questions, answered: Learn how to recompile your macOS app for Apple Silicon Macs and build universal apps that launch faster, have better performance, and support the future of the platform. We’ll show you how Xcode makes it simple to build a universal macOS binary.developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10214/
What’s new in managing Apple devices. – iOS, macOS, tvOS We’ve made significant strides in bringing crucial device management features to macOS. Discover how these features can help you manage your all your devices using the same tools and technologies. Get details on changes coming this year and how they will impact your deployment workflows– developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10639/
iPad and iPhone apps on Apple Silicon Macs. – Apple Silicon Macs can run many iPad and iPhone apps as-is, and these apps will be made available to users on the Mac through the Mac App Store. Discover how iPad and iPhone apps run on Apple Silicon Macs, and the factors that make your apps come across better.– developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10114/
Explore the new system architecture of Apple Silicon Macs – Discover how Macs with Apple Silicon will deliver modern advantages using Apple’s System-on-Chip (SoC) architecture. Leveraging a unified memory architecture for CPU and GPU tasks, Mac apps will see amazing performance benefits. developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10686/
24. MacAdmin Blog Links
This list is specifically for MacAdmins. This will be an ongoing list of articles and posts that will help you learn the latest 11.0 changes.
