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I’ve just “upgraded” to Catalina.
My laptop is now bricked.
All I get is the “folder?” logo or nothing at all if I try “option” or “command R” on boot up.
What to do now?
Read this article to see if it applies.
Some users are reporting that Apple Store technicians have manually updated the firmware to resolve the issue.
Recall that this site is "moderated" by Apple contractors. If one of them deems your input as being "unhelpful" or outside of the terms and conditions, it will be bounced.
I have had several mild rants deleted for this reason.
IF you explain the problem in matter of fact language and don't accuse Apple (or anyone on this site) of being less than a sterling person/entity, your request will stick and we can try to help.
It seems like its less about mild rants and more about legal protection... but ok, I can play along... I know there are rules.
Right now I'm going to sit back and wait - there are enough users coming forward that they won't be able to ignore this. My guess is eventually they will have to reprogram the EFI for users affected or some good Samaritan online will figure out a way to do it at home and share. I have faith in the Internet.
For those who have a Bricked system the only reasonable fix seems to be flashing the EFI on the mainboard. It would seem that older mainboards don’t take one firmware being updated with the Catalina update. I finally finished the update this afternoon (started yesterday morning) on my 2 year old Mac 21”. Although I didn’t have a problem with the update itself even after two weeks of preparation making sure all my drivers and apps were 64 bit. All my Dymo hardware bricked on me, and I couldn’t access the updated software due to server problems. Catalina seems to have a problem accessing many 3rd party sites and servers. Ended up downloading the drivers and software I needed to my iPad, then using Airdrop to transfer it to my Mac. Bit of a hassle but it worked.
I've become an expert on backgrading to Mojave, but read this article carefully before proceeding:
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/downgrade-macos-version/
Having a Time Machine backup beforehand will make your life a lot easier.
My MAC pro mid 2015 13’was also working like a charm. I mean, never had anything to complain until now. After waiting for any known major issues I finally succumbed to the upgrade. It bricked after that. Guess I’ll take the Mac on the 3500km journey to one of the nearest Apple stores to hear what they have to say and if anything can be done.
anyway, just adding my voice to this issue to see it recognized and solved by apple.
Add me to the list. 2017 MacBook Pro with no issues, post-upgrade: nothing but folder question marks.
Tried all sorts of iterations of resetting, reinstalling, etc. and it always hangs at the point where it’s trying to reinstall the EFI.
Was going to try and tough it out in hopes that Apple would acknowledge/fix the problem, but seems clear that’s never going to happen.
Heading to the Apple Store today to see how much a new logic board is going to set me back for their error. :/
I too had the same issue with my 2014 Mac Book Pro. It just stopped working all of a sudden. It too was running on Mac OS Catalina. Hardware diagnostics at Apple Store did not show any hardware issues but they were not able to reinstall the OS. Eventually I had to agree to pay $475 for SSD replacement.
Just left the Apple Store - same answer as everyone else: $475 SSD replacement.
Supposedly if Apple recognizes it as a widespread issue, I can potentially request a refund, but I won’t be holding my breath.
Really disappointing.
Ssd replacement is different from logic board. I’m now hearing two different things... a corrupt EFI is a logic board issue. An ssd, imho, means you can probably get past the black screen and are actually seeing an error message on the screen?
I don’t believe it’s an SSD issue. Everyone who’s had Apple look at their machines confirm that it is in fact a logic board issue. Also going by the assumption that some have got their machines working after reprogramming EFI chip makes it more of a cause.
I know “Apple doesn’t monitor these forums”, but people have made enough noise to be heard. It’s a shame Apple’s not the company it used to be.
My 2015 MacBook Pro was in like new condition (even the tech at the Apple store agreed) after doing the update it will not power on. Non of the trouble shooting suggestions have worked over the phone and the apple store said they couldn’t figure it out. My laptop literally was stationery since I did the update Friday now it’s a pile of parts. And they want 600 to send it in for mystery repairs
So so irksome that its still happening. Is this going to be the sudden wind that sends the apple crashing to the ground? I hope not. I am a little paranoid about restarting my mac 15" laptop at present. My external USB backup harddrive was connected to my mac when I did the update. It was wrecked but the computer seems Ok. Not sure if this was a co-incidence or not but only just realised that it happened when I did the update. My god its so so annoying.
hello i have the same problem with macbook pro (2015) model a1398, here in belgium apple technicien say it's impossible there is probeme EFI
I think buy one efi programmer but I don't know where I can find the firmware for EFI.
all i know is i installed the Catalina supplemental update and after rebooting i have the "folder?" icon.
I can get into internet recovery and it does see my ssd it just won't let me erase it.
So yes i guess could be just bad luck the ssd died just after doing that update.
Catalina bricked my 2015 MacBook Pro. What to do now?
