iMac Pro must be connected to a second computer if it needs to be restored

O iMac Pro Quite a machine. We have already shown here that this is a beast in terms of processing and how safe it is due to the use of a proprietary chip, the T2.

Everything in the world, however, has two sides, two stories. No d, for example, for him to have all these specifications in a lean body like an iMac and to be fully modular. Unable to do so, Apple made a point of reinforcing in the press release about the iMac Pro that it is still working on a fully modular Mac Pro and a professional monitor for those who need such a machine.

Similarly, it seems that you can't have a safety-focused chip like T2 without losing some practicalities. We have already gone into the details of T2 in this article, but Apple itself has tried to explain what it does on the official iMac Pro page:

T2. Improved integration and security.

Introducing Apple's T2 chip, the second generation chip designed exclusively for the Mac. It opens up new possibilities for iMac Pro by combining controllers from other Mac systems such as the System Management Controller (SMC), the camera's ISP, the audio controller and the SSD controller. This allows, for example, the T2 image signal processor to work with the FaceTime HD camera to provide advanced tone mapping, better exposure control, and automatic white balance based on face detection. The T2 chip also has a coprocessor Secure Enclave, which serves as the foundation for new secure boot and encrypted storage features, further protecting iMac Pro. With it, data is encrypted on the SSD with unique AES hardware that does not affect disk performance and leaves the processor Intel Xeon free to work only on the tasks required. Safe booting already prevents tampering with the lower levels of the software and ensures that when you start your computer, only Apple-authorized operating systems can be loaded.

All of these benefits, especially those related to security, are priced. Proof that if your iMac Pro freezes in the middle of a software update (will you be there, in the middle of the process, and light is a possibility), you will necessarily have to connect it to another Mac (properly equipped with macOS High Sierra and Apple Configurator 2 software) with a Thunderbolt or USB-C cable (you can use adapters if you want) to undo the lambana.

Boring, right? After all, few people have two Macs available so you may need to go to a friend / relative or a company Mac. But continuing the explanation of the process, on this secondary Mac, I then need to close iTunes (if it is open), open Apple Configurator 2, and then connect that cable. A, on the iMac Pro, I need to unplug the power cable and then plug the Thunderbolt cable into it (that port next to Ethernet).

Thunderbolt port next to Ethernet on iMac Pro

The next step involves holding down the iMac Pro's power button while plugging in the power cord. It should be pressed for about three seconds after the power cord is plugged in. It's good to note that you * won't * see anything happening in iMac Pro.

That done, go to the Mac with Apple Configurator 2 open and choose the iBridge device in question. Then choose the option When Restoring (Action Restore).

Apple Configurator 2 Used to Restart a Frozen iMac Pro

Wait for the process to complete before an Apple logo appears and disappears during this process. Once completed, iMac Pro will finally be restarted. Oh, and if in case you are in the middle of the process and the light goes out again (will that), everything will have to be redone. 😭

The process is all described in an Apple Configurator 2 help page, which was highlighted by MacRumors.

Apart from the need for Apple Configurator 2, the iPhone-like process that necessarily needs to connect to a Mac / PC to be restored when it's frozen or something. No doubt this will do some work for some people who do not have a second Mac available and will necessarily have to take the machine to an Apple Store or Store. It's part