What could be wrong if "internet recovery" won't go through?

@Zach — got it through loading with Ethernet connection setup, and did found it was linking to another Apple ID at activation stage. Can booting it into DFU mode with connecting to another computer running Apple Configurator unlock it? Any thoughts?

@lovecd As far as I know, there isn't any way to remove the Activation Lock with Apple Configurator. You may be able to get the device to be usable though by erasing the device in Recovery Mode (if you can't get to Disk Utility in Recovery Mode, click one of the options in the menu bar in top left corner of the screen and you might see an "Erase this Mac" option). If you're able to erase the device and reinstall macOS, then during the set up process you might be able to skip the Activation Lock screen by making sure it's disconnected from Ethernet and Wi-Fi during the set-up process after the install. The device will still be associated with that Apple ID going forward but at least it would be usable. Good luck!

@zpl -- I was able to get through the internet recovery process by connecting the laptop with ethernet connection (not wifi), and able to find that "erase this Mac" option from the top menu bar, however, it simply come back to "internet recovery with the global rotating" again after confirming the erase, I guess Apple just won't make you bypass the activation stage no matter what. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

If you do that process with the Ethernet cable connected the entire time it should install macOS and get you to a setup screen—once you're there you could disconnect the Ethernet and try to set up the device. If it never gets to that point though you might need to try a restore through Apple Configurator.

@zpl -- I did have the Ethernet cable connected the entire time, however, it simply "reboot" and goes to "internet recovery" page again after selecting "Erase this Mac" and "Yes" to confirm that operation. Then it goes to that activation screen again. So, I didn't see anything for OS install or setup page at all. Should I disconnect ethernet connection right after selecting "Erase this Mac"?

@danj — I do have a bootable usb-c drive created in the past, but this laptop won’t boot from external drive at all. I guess there might be some security settings were set in the past. Any thought?

@lovecd - Review this Apple doc as you can see there is a double whammy! There can’t be an iCloud lock on the system and the tighter bootup setting needs not to be set. Apple Security

But the OS on the external needs to be the correct version for your Mac as well.