@zimmie Youre actually wrong about the T2 part, specifically how it actually works. I work as an AASP technician, heres how it works. 1: it is not a tool, its a secondary macbook running apples Data Transfer Utility, which is part of the Mac Confoguration Utility Suite provided to us. 2: In order to *use* those utilities, you must have access to an AST2 account (https://diagnostics..apple.com) and be authorized to use that tool by whatever AASP you work for, or be authorized by apple for an apple store style job. 3: you must *also* have an active repair in apples GSX system (Global Service Exchange, gsx.apple.com) AND have the Logic Board (or replacement laptop) added to the repair itself. If no replacement board is added, then this utility tells you to f*ck off. 4: This tool 100% relies on the fact that T2, CD3215, USB-C port, NAND, and any relevant power rails and data lines are not dead or broken. If your T2 chip died, or a power fail on the board responsible for T2 dies, or NAND on the board dies, or any similar issues, youre f*cked. Plain and simple. You *have* to do board repait at that point to get it to a state where this actually works, assuming it isnt NAND , T2, or ISL9240 that killed itself. If these killed themselves then you have 0 chance of recovery since you cannot get these parts at all. Since you worded it as if any plain Jane can do it, youre intentionally making your argument invalid and youre also spreading misinformation about apples repair side and peoples ability as a consumer to actually practice recovering data form theirt dead macbooks.