Applies to Clarett Thunderbolt
Please note that the below steps are only required on Apple silicon systems, they're not necessary on Intel-based Mac systems.
A new Clarett Thunderbolt driver for both Intel and Apple Silicon systems is now available from our downloads page here: Clarett | Focusrite Downloads.
Apple Silicon (M-series) computers come with increased security, which prevents users from installing (and using) non-Apple drivers (kernel extensions) by default. To install the Focusrite Thunderbolt driver, or any other 3rd party driver, you must follow these steps before you run the installer:
- Switch off your Apple silicon (M-series)-based system.
- Hold the power button to switch the computer on in Recovery mode, keeping the button pressed until the Startup Options loads.
- Click Options, then click your language if requested.
- Select your account, click Next, then enter your password.
- At the top of the screen, you'll see the menu bar (with the
Apple logo). Click Utilities, then select Startup Security Utility.
- Select your boot drive (generally named “Macintosh HD” or "macOS") — click Unlock and enter your password again if necessary.
- Go to Security Policy, click Reduced Security and then Allow user management of kernel extensions from identified developers — this is an Apple requirement when installing any kernel extension from any manufacturer, not just our driver.
- Click the
Once your computer boots up again as normal, run the Focusrite Thunderbolt Driver installer from the downloads section of our website: Clarett | Focusrite Downloads.
Midway through the installer, you should see a prompt to "Allow" the extension to load. Please follow the steps in this article even if the "Allow" prompt does not appear: My interface isn't appearing on my Mac
Once installation is complete, restart your computer a final time to complete the process.
More information about the security settings on Apple Silicon systems can be found in this Apple article.