Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Offers Instructions on What to Do if macOS Big Sur Causes Installation Errors on 2013 and 2014 MacBook Pro

This update resolved the problem!

(also don’t forget to "erase Mac" in the recovery menu. Installation will fail if you didn’t do this before the update)
 
Last edited:
Breahn said:
Apple should just rename Big Sur to Big Sour Apple OS. Pro tip: Years ago my tech friend (he's VERY tech savvy) told me to ALWAYS stay at least 3 (or at the very least 2) major software versions behind, regardless if it's operating systems, or simpler applications like Adobe Photoshop. And after 3 years, if the software is still not fixed, wait for the next major version. Still running macOS High Sierra 10.13 on my 2014 MacBook Pro. It's running fast and flawless, thanks to my tech friend's pro advice, which I will always keep following. This has in many ways saved me so much money and time.
Click to expand...
Wow. Amazing insight bro
 
Breahn said:
Apple should just rename Big Sur to Big Sour Apple OS. Pro tip: Years ago my tech friend (he's VERY tech savvy) told me to ALWAYS stay at least 3 (or at the very least 2) major software versions behind, regardless if it's operating systems, or simpler applications like Adobe Photoshop. And after 3 years, if the software is still not fixed, wait for the next major version. Still running macOS High Sierra 10.13 on my 2014 MacBook Pro. It's running fast and flawless, thanks to my tech friend's pro advice, which I will always keep following. This has in many ways saved me so much money and time.
Click to expand...
New products, either software or hardware, may have bugs and problems. Nothing new under the sun. Following your logic, you should never buy a new car, microwave or dental brush because it may have problems. I have never had problems installing the newest iOS ever. Yeah, it may have a bug or two, or drain the battery a little bit faster. Rather than a problem, I would call it inconvenience, which does not affect my opinion towards the product. Especially when Apple sends regular iOS and MacOs updates to address these. Apple support in this regard is in my view, excelent. They always had an extensive beta test program and big issues are usually addressed within hours.
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: foliovision
To be honest almost every single update had bricked my MBP2018 since big sur beta 1. every time it wanted me to confirm access to the boot volume after reboot - be it for bridgeos update or otherwise.
Had to roll back the last time machine Snapshot, reboot, redownload the last update and run it again. On the second attempt it works. Still the same with 11.1...
Haven't had that many issues with macOS ever - even macOS 7 was better at this 🤦‍♂️
at least the local Snapshot feature works seamlessly
 
  • Like
Reactions: foliovision
Satch111 said:
Why on earth are 2013/14 owners installing Big Sur anyway?! I use a 2019 and I won't be, Mojave is rock solid.
Click to expand...
Can't blame those users when Apple themselves pushed the OS update to users' devices.

Seems like it's still not safe to upgrade Apple's OS on the first two versions. I'm guessing 11.2 (or will it be 11.0.2?) will be safer.
 
Breahn said:
Years ago my tech friend (he's VERY tech savvy) told me to ALWAYS stay at least 3 (or at the very least 2) major software versions behind,
Click to expand...
Clearly your friend is not a security expert 😂 Fortunately for you Apple patches the old OSes when some nasty hole is discovered. Not necessarily the case with other developers.
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: foliovision
There is a Big Sur update just launched (just minutes ago) that only applies to these Macbook models, much like yesterday IOS 14.2.1 only was available to Iphone 12 models. It is still Big Sur 11.0.1, but the build number is now 20B50 instead of 20B29.

This must fix all this mess.
 
Breahn said:
Apple should just rename Big Sur to Big Sour Apple OS. Pro tip: Years ago my tech friend (he's VERY tech savvy) told me to ALWAYS stay at least 3 (or at the very least 2) major software versions behind, regardless if it's operating systems, or simpler applications like Adobe Photoshop. And after 3 years, if the software is still not fixed, wait for the next major version. Still running macOS High Sierra 10.13 on my 2014 MacBook Pro. It's running fast and flawless, thanks to my tech friend's pro advice, which I will always keep following. This has in many ways saved me so much money and time.
Click to expand...
Soo. Do you think it´s advisable to install Windows XP on my pc then? I do not fancy any critical security updates so maybe I should wait another year.
 
B/D said:
There is a Big Sur update just launched (just minutes ago) that only applies to these Macbook models, much like yesterday IOS 14.2.1 only was available to Iphone 12 models. It is still Big Sur 11.0.1, but the build number is now 20B50 instead of 20B29.

This must fix all this mess.
Click to expand...
No it does not yet. It prevents these models to install

mrmacintosh.com

Big Sur 11.0.1 (20B50) Released to Block Install for 2013-14 13" MBPro's!

Following the problems that 2013 & '14 13" MacBook Pro users were having, Apple released a new version of Big Sur that blocks installation!
mrmacintosh.com mrmacintosh.com
 
  • Wow
Reactions: B/D
B/D said:
So, it is an update to prevent the other update?. Weird...
Click to expand...
It is not so weird. It simply prevents all users which did not update their MBP 13 Late 2013 / mid 2014 to
install Big Sur. This saves some of them from the experience to get a black screen, some even from the experience
to need to replace their i/o board to get the MBP running again.
So it is a good move, as it is a safety switch until Apple really found the root cause.
 
  • Like
Reactions: msephton, mbosse and B/D
mknell said:
It is not so weird. It simply prevents all users which did not update their MBP 13 Late 2013 / mid 2014 to
install Big Sur. This saves some of them from the experience to get a black screen, some even from the experience
to need to replace their i/o board to get the MBP running again.
So it is a good move, as it is a safety switch until Apple really found the root cause.
Click to expand...
Completely agree.

Thanks for explaining this to me.

I didn´t know it was that serious (the need to replace the i/o board in some cases). Knowing this, Apple move makes all the sense.
 
They stopped update remotely for 2013 :)
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2020-11-20 at 13.01.45.png
    Screenshot 2020-11-20 at 13.01.45.png
    194.2 KB · Views: 91
  • Like
Reactions: mknell
Breahn said:
Apple should just rename Big Sur to Big Sour Apple OS. Pro tip: Years ago my tech friend (he's VERY tech savvy) told me to ALWAYS stay at least 3 (or at the very least 2) major software versions behind, regardless if it's operating systems, or simpler applications like Adobe Photoshop. And after 3 years, if the software is still not fixed, wait for the next major version. Still running macOS High Sierra 10.13 on my 2014 MacBook Pro. It's running fast and flawless, thanks to my tech friend's pro advice, which I will always keep following. This has in many ways saved me so much money and time.
Click to expand...
3 major releases?? Yea, that’s crazy talk. You still running iOS 11 too?
1 major release on a primary work device (like a Mac) is safe, two is conservative.
And going 3 major releases back on applications is going to open you up to more security risks than bugs in more current versions.
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: foliovision
Broken record: this is why you should wait to install new OS updates, especially on the Mac, and especially if it’s an older Mac. I don’t upgrade my main daily work machine for at least several months until version .1 or .2 comes out and seems stable for a week or two. For iOS, I usually wait until late in the day in case there are reports of trouble, which are typically known quickly. This year I did the beta because I’m stuck at home so there’s less reliance on my iPhone, but I wouldn’t normally do that.
 
steve23094 said:
I think it probably depends who you get on the other end of the phone.

I always research and try to fix problems myself first. But I’ve had to call Apple a few times over the years. They start with the usual ‘switch it off and on’ response, but when they pick up that I know my way around a bit they don’t patronise me and normally skip all the obvious stuff. And if need be pass me through to second line.
Click to expand...
Beat me to it.
 
Satch111 said:
Why on earth are 2013/14 owners installing Big Sur anyway?! I use a 2019 and I won't be, Mojave is rock solid.
Click to expand...
Big Sur added complete support in EFI for my custom NVMe drive on the 2014 MBP. It did not brick it, and is actually working faster than ever. It seem very few are affected, but of course a pain for those who are.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mbosse
Okay. So they're still figuring it out then. These sort of solutions aren't helpful - and I'm sure most of these "solutions" have already been tried. This is about as helpful as asking the customer to make sure your computer is plugged in.
 
  • Like
Reactions: na1577 and tonyr6
I suspect 99% of these problems could have been avoided if Apple simply added a clear warning on the screen when firmware upgrades were in process so users didn't accidentally interrupt them by hitting the power button. My approach is to only detach and reattach the charger to insure a boot is in process when faced with a black screen. That will never case an unintended shutdown but will force a boot if one is needed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: msephton
These instructions did not help me. MBP late 2013. I have an appointment today at the Genius Bar. Wish me luck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tonyr6
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back