Apple Fixes Bug That Bricked Some Intel Macs After macOS Monterey Install

[mannyvel]

My guess is that they should have updated BridgeOS before MacOS. Whatever certificate they used to sign the new MacOS wasn't accepted by the old BridgeOS, so the T2 refused to boot because security.

That's just from looking at mrmacintosh's post above.

If that's the case, they need to look at their production packaging process. Back in the old days before the T2 the installer would update your firmware first then reboot and install the update. That must have either gotten lost or changed in this update, which is unfortunate.

 

[dogslobber]

This is a bug that never should have made it past QA testing. I think the frequent problems with macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS releases and updates are symptoms of how Apple's culture (secrecy, compartmentalization, non-collaborative across company enforced silos) hurts us, Apple USERS. An OS is a lot different from a social media app; the Keep Shipping mentality can do a lot of damage to somebody who completely loses the ability to use their machines.

This. A process escape such as this should lead to job losses. You cannot forgive such incompetence.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

This is a bug that never should have made it past QA testing. I think the frequent problems with macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS releases and updates are symptoms of how Apple's culture (secrecy, compartmentalization, non-collaborative across company enforced silos) hurts us, Apple USERS. An OS is a lot different from a social media app; the Keep Shipping mentality can do a lot of damage to somebody who completely loses the ability to use their machines.

Yes, but who in their right mind is an early adopter of OS updates these days?

 

[dogslobber]

Yes, but who in their right mind is an early adopter of OS updates these days?

You highlight here what Apple has lost from people. Trust.

 

[dysamoria]

The problem is in BridgeOS... what a shock. The second I learned that these machine were basically getting another small computer stuffed inside them, my expectations were that there would be a lot of other problems cropping up. And there have been. Complexity is the chief opponent of reliability.

 

[dysamoria]

Yes, but who in their right mind is an early adopter of OS updates these days?

Stop blaming customers.

 

[Mockletoy]

The amount of Disgusting comments referring to those who have lost machines and laughing at them is disgusting. This is why the Apple community is viewed in such a bad light. Those of you laughing at those who have lost machines and simply saying things like ‘’ wouldn’t have happened if you went M1 ‘’ you should be ASHAMED of your selves! I am fed up Rich American children messaging people like this GROW UP.

There are certain people in the Apple fandom who would hoot and clap like trained seals if Apple announced a new policy of tossing every 100th person through the door of an Apple store into an industrial shredder. Some of them would queue up for the privilege of proving their devotion.

Yes, but who in their right mind is an early adopter of OS updates these days?

The amount of smug victim-blaming that goes on here when Apple screws people over never ceases to gross me out.

If Apple publicly releases a software update then it should be vetted and ready for the public to install it on day one. If the public takes Apple at its word, installs it, and ends up with a bricked computer then the blame is 100% on Apple. Period. End of story.

If this had been a beta that would be different, but it wasn’t. Actually, not even a beta should be released that broken.

 

[goobot]

T1 for the win

 

[adamryan1983]

How are they going to get the update if they can’t boot their Mac?

Well it says for them to contact Apple. I guess you didnt read the article.

 

[ghostface147]

So I assume all the 2018 MB Pros have the same T2 firmware. Yet it bricked some. For those who it didn’t brick, shouldn’t we get the same new firmware anyway?

 

[lysingur]

So I assume all the 2018 MB Pros have the same T2 firmware. Yet it bricked some. For those who it didn’t brick, shouldn’t we get the same new firmware anyway?

We'll all get it in 12.1, most likely.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

The amount of smug victim-blaming that goes on here when Apple screws people over never ceases to gross me out.

If Apple publicly releases a software update then it should be vetted and ready for the public to install it on day one. If the public takes Apple at its word, installs it, and ends up with a bricked computer then the blame is 100% on Apple. Period. End of story.

If this had been a beta that would be different, but it wasn’t. Actually, not even a beta should be released that broken.

Yes, it SHOULD be all that. But... it never is these days. People who instantly update a new OS release are the type of people that send money to Nigerian prince's so they can release all those funds.

I think you need to stop looking in the mirror while repeating the word smug so smugly.

 

[lclev]

I use to be one of the first to run out and update when one came out. A few years back Apple released an update that bricked the Watch (can't remember which model). I had already updated and it went smoothly but for me, it was a wake up call.

I wait for at least the first update to a new OS or iOS before updating now. Both my 2020 13" MBP and 2021 14" MBP updated with no issues.

I agree Apple should not brick a users machine from an update issue. I would be curious to see if any of those systems that bricked if the owner had messed with any T1 or T2 security options. Just wondering - not accusing - as I have done my share of mods.

Now if you really want to see messed up systems - try a PC running Windows (any version). Latest issues involved the print spooler. I work in IT and let me tell you that was major fun!

 

[lysingur]

Yes, it SHOULD be all that. But... it never is these days. People who instantly update a new OS release are the type of people that send money to Nigerian prince's so they can release all those funds.

I think you need to stop looking in the mirror while repeating the word smug so smugly.

And I don't sense any smugness in your reply at all. Well played, sir.

 

[Mockletoy]

Yes, it SHOULD be all that. But... it never is these days. People who instantly update a new OS release are the type of people that send money to Nigerian prince's so they can release all those funds.

I think you need to stop looking in the mirror while repeating the word smug so smugly.

People like you falling all over yourselves to blame everyone but Apple when they screw up like this is a big part of why they feel free to screw up like this so often.

I get it. Cultists gotta cult.

 

[Mockletoy]

And I don't sense any smugness in your reply at all. Well played, sir.

The way some folks twist themselves into pretzels to avoid holding Apple accountable is super weird to me.

I mean, think about what he’s saying: just accept that this multi-trillion-dollar company you paid several thousand dollars to for this computer is perennially incompetent when it comes to software updates and plan accordingly! We know they can’t be trusted, and that’s why we love them so much!

Really? They sound like people locked in an abusive relationship making excuses for their abuser.

 

[pianostar9]

There was a 6 month long public beta for Monterey - how was this not caught during that?

After my experience with RC1 of Big Sur having installer problems out of nowhere that wound up in the final release, my guess is it was introduced in the release candidates. Consequently, I haven't updated my beta container since the Monterey RC came out as a precaution.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

People like you falling all over yourselves to blame everyone but Apple when they screw up like this is a big part of why they feel free to screw up like this so often.

I get it. Cultists gotta cult.

If you scrolled through my comments on my profile, you'd see that I am far far far from a cultist fanbois. My relationship with Apple is very much love/hate. If anything, I am more likely to be accused of being one of those jealous non-Apple users trolling an Apple rumours site.

Anyway, you've read me completely wrong, as a senior software dev, I am absolutely appalled at the continuous degradation of Apple's quality control in their software division, and think the entire management team needs firing. My point was merely that Apple's continuous buggy OS releases have been going on for so long that you would have to be particularly slow and stupid to rush out and update on a new OS release.

If you look at my signature, you'll also see that I am still rocking a 2015 15" rMBP. That's not because I can't afford a new machine, it's because every release from 2016-2020 has been an appalling downgrade to the brilliant 2012-2015 Retina models. But relax, they have finally produced a machine that is worthy, and I will soon be rocking a shiny new 16" M1Pro MBP. I can tell you it's a great relief, as this ageing workhorse, which I have used daily for many years, is certainly starting to show wear and tear.

 

[steve333]

I have a 2018 Mac Mini with the T2 but my computer is fine. Do I need to do anything?

 

[dogslobber]

If Apple publicly releases a software update then it should be vetted and ready for the public to install it on day one. If the public takes Apple at its word, installs it, and ends up with a bricked computer then the blame is 100% on Apple. Period. End of story.

The point zero release should be 100% bulletproof with no stoppers. This is a stopper of the absolute worst variety. The only thing worse than being locked out of your data is for your data to be silently corrupted.

 

[ROBB D]

Apple is abandoning Intel at a quicker and worrying rate. They should slow down. They've probably transferred their best engineers to work on Apple Silicon already. The next version of macOS (13) is probably going to be the last stable macOS for Intel-based Macs.

how many 2 year old computers cannot install Windows 11 because of its requiring a specific chip on the system. a shock windows would cut off so many computes from any windows 11 or beyond OSes.

 

[watakoola]

Odd it didn't happen on ALL T2 computers. Meaning, for everyone with a T2 who upgraded.

Indeed. My 2018 mini upgraded with no issues.

 

[zarathu]

This isn't totally correct, my new 14 inch died after updating and would not turn on 2 days after receiving the computer, I went to the apple store and they gave me a new computer for free so I'm not mad, but this issue wasn't just for intel chips.

If you got a new 14, it would have come with Monterey on it.

 

[matrix07]

T2 is the gift that just keeps giving, it appears...

T2 is certainly a bag of hurt. It put something very serious that can get in the way in a big way. Apple has to be a lot more careful on software side.

 

[bw44]

If you scrolled through my comments on my profile, you'd see that I am far far far from a cultist fanbois. My relationship with Apple is very much love/hate. If anything, I am more likely to be accused of being one of those jealous non-Apple users trolling an Apple rumours site.

Anyway, you've read me completely wrong, as a senior software dev, I am absolutely appalled at the continuous degradation of Apple's quality control in their software division, and think the entire management team needs firing. My point was merely that Apple's continuous buggy OS releases have been going on for so long that you would have to be particularly slow and stupid to rush out and update on a new OS release.

If you look at my signature, you'll also see that I am still rocking a 2015 15" rMBP. That's not because I can't afford a new machine, it's because every release from 2016-2020 has been an appalling downgrade to the brilliant 2012-2015 Retina models. But relax, they have finally produced a machine that is worthy, and I will soon be rocking a shiny new 16" M1Pro MBP. I can tell you it's a great relief, as this ageing workhorse, which I have used daily for many years, is certainly starting to show wear and tear.

As the owner of the same model (2015) MBP I now appreciate how lucky it is.

But since you’re a software developer and (sometimes) critic of Apple, what’s your opinion on the subject of their beta releases? First there’s a developer beta, then a user beta, then it’s released to the rest of us. What kind of criteria do (you think) they use to move from one to the next? Do you think there has been a lowering of standards there?

Thnx.