Apple’s macOS Monterey update appears to be bricking some Intel Macs
Here’s what to do if it happens to your MacBook or iMac
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If you were thinking about upgrading yourMacBookoriMactoApple’s just-releasedmacOS Monterey(aka macOS 12), you may want to consider holding off for the time being, as a growing number of users are complaining of bricked Mac computers following the update.
As reported byMacRumors, a significant number of users on Apple Support Communities are finding that their Macs turned off during the macOS Monterey updating process and subsequently would not boot up again.
“I was updating my MacBook Pro from 2018 and it was doing fine until the screen suddenly turned black and now it won’t turn on,” saidone user, echoing thesameexperienceasmanyothersinApple’sforums.
The users' reports suggest the issue is only occurring onIntel-based Macs, meaning all computers which aren’t powered byApple siliconare at risk.
The macOS Monterey update problem follows a similar issue which happened last year, whichaffected users upgrading to macOS Big Sur.
How to fix a bricked Mac
As with any serious Mac issue of this sort, the best option is often to take your bricked MacBook, iMac or Mac mini to the Genius Bar at your nearest Apple Store.
However, if you’re happy to do a little troubleshooting on your own, according toone userin Apple Support Communities, they managed to successfully revive a bricked Intel-based Mac by using another Mac running that’s was already running the updatedoperating system.
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The process involves runningApple Configurator 2and using this to update the firmware on the bricked Intel-based Mac’s T2 Security Chip. As most people are unlikely to have a second updated Mac on hand, Apple’s Genius Bar staff will be able to do this for you.
A strong word of warning is in order too, as if the revival process is unsuccessful, you may need to use Apple Configurator 2 to restore your Mac, which will unfortunately erase your internal flash storage.
Our advice is to make sure you’ve backed up your Mac to an external driveusing Time Machinebefore attempting the macOS Monterey update.
Stephen primarily covers phones and entertainment for TechRadar’s Australian team, and has written professionally across the categories of tech, film, television and gaming in both print and online for over a decade. He’s obsessed with smartphones, televisions, consoles and gaming PCs, and has a deep-seated desire to consume all forms of media at the highest quality possible.
He’s also likely to talk a person’s ear off at the mere mention of Android, cats, retro sneaker releases, travelling and physical media, such as vinyl and boutique Blu-ray releases. Right now, he’s most excited about QD-OLED technology, The Batman and Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga.
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