Stupid Question Regarding bridgeOS

[Yebubbleman]

I recognize that this is more of an academic question than one based on function. But, bridgeOS; is it one of those things that's exclusive to T1 and T2 Macs? Or is it an element in Apple Silicon Macs as well? (I could see it being the former, hence "bridge" in the name and the sort of hybrid Intel/Apple Silicon nature of those chips and systems.) I know it's not unique to Touch Bar equipped MacBook Pros (let alone exclusive to Intel Touch Bar equipped MacBook Pros specifically) and therefore isn't solely used for powering the Touch Bar, but I have a feeling that's also a function that it serves...?

Every time I try to look up documentation on bridgeOS, I come up empty. So, any explanations or resources that you might have/know would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[leman]

From what I understand, it's a variant of WatchOS that runs on the T-series chips. Apple Silicon Macs don't have it since they don't need a separate chip to host the security etc. components — it's all part of the base SoC.

Please regard this with a grain of salt. I am only rehashing what I've heard here and there.

 

[1am0]

bridge OS exists only in intel macbooks. t1 and t2 chips are ARM SOC's. that's why their OS called bridgeOS - it's the bridge between macOS for intel cpu's and ARM cpu's.

 

[Yebubbleman]

From what I understand, it's a variant of WatchOS that runs on the T-series chips. Apple Silicon Macs don't have it since they don't need a separate chip to host the security etc. components — it's all part of the base SoC.

Please regard this with a grain of salt. I am only rehashing what I've heard here and there.

bridge OS exists only in intel macbooks. t1 and t2 chips are ARM SOC's. that's why their OS called bridgeOS - it's the bridge between macOS for intel cpu's and ARM cpu's.

Gotcha (to both of your posts). That makes a ton of sense. Would that also further explain how (in situations that warrant it) one would need to put a T2 chip into DFU mode and restore bridgeOS on a T2 Mac (via Apple Configurator 2), whereas one puts the whole Apple Silcon Mac into DFU mode and does a complete restore of 1TR and the OS itself (via Apple Configurator 2)?