MacBook Pro bricked after failed Big Sur update 😵 ⚰️

Hello again from Duesseldorf - Germany

I just came back from my visit to Apple Genius Bar Düsseldorf and I had the most unpleasant customer experience ever!

I picked up my unresponsive MacBook 2013/2014 after installing BigSur refuse to pay the 500€ for the repair.

My intention was to make Apple aware of this problem of the new OS system destroying older systems, so I asked how can I escalate this issue to the Apple Engineers.

I haven’t required any free repair or discounts - I was just asking how can I escalate this issue.

The manager I talked to, told me following:

• I cannot report any issues / problems at Genius Bar because they I only fixers and do not communicate with Apple.
• They are not interested in customers having issues with older devices.
• They don’t recognize that this OS is causing any damages so far and if so, there are older devices anyway.
• Apple is not responsible for any updates failures - if the device gets broken is too old.

I am speechless.

Sounds familiar. Same situation in Perth, Australia. It’s like dealing with a different company. I needed a computer so bought an HP Envy laptop — had absolutely no intention of switching back to PCs but needed a working computer. Flabbergasted and stunned Apple aren’t owning this problem and apologising.

Hi all,

I have also a MBP 15'' late 2014 (16GBRAM, 256GB, etc...). I have not installed yet the Big Sur update because I'm used to wait a few days.....and then I saw rumors abut this, so I decided not to install it.

I am in Spain, and I haven't heard any concern about this problems from any other spaniard, nor I've seen (at least until 3 days ago) any information regarding this issue, and I think is so important it should be taken into account here.

My question are: Is the problem currently solved?, I mean, with any latest update -11.0.1- the problem still happens?. Which are the exactly models affected?

I guess Apple has not recognised the error yet, so my best bet is still reading this post until there is guarantee an installation won't convert my MBP (which I'm really happy with) in a MacBrick.

Thanks!.

I'm in a similar situation to you - I'm in New Zealand and haven't heard any concern about this problem from any other kiwi either. I have a MBP 13" Retina Early 2015 and I have purposely been holding off installing Big Sur because of all the issues and concerns that I've read, which needless to say is extremely alarming!

The idea that Apple just suggests it's a hardware fault (by replacing I/O boards and charging customers for it) and is not caused by the Big Sur update is absurd and ridiculous to me, and completely unjustifiable. Pure logic alone suggests that when a machine is in perfect working order prior to a software update, and then stops working immediately after the update - what other conclusion can there be other than the software update caused the fault!?

So I have the same question... is this problem currently resolved? Has Apple recognised the problem and is fixing it?

That is correct however keep in mind that you may not be able to install, or better rephrasing you’re prevented from install. See more info why here:

https://mrmacintosh.com/big-sur-11-0-1-20b50-releasedhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211242

and here:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211242

I'm in Russia. There is no Genius bar. Authorised service are service companies operates as Apple official agent. See my post above. I rejected suggested repair for about $800 and escalate the problem to the second level via phone call support, then after engineer level investigation Apple give me (direct to the service) exclude code for free repair.

Reading this gives me a glimmer of hope..

I have a mid-2014 15” MBP which has also been bricked. I spent about an hour on the phone to Apple Support UK explaining the problem and they tried to troubleshoot as normal.. of course with no luck. They set up an appointment for me to take it to an Apple Authorised Service Provider, which I am doing tomorrow.

I am trying to prepare myself as best as I can for this appointment. I’m not a super techy guy but I have done my research on forums and YT so I can try to sound like I know what I’m talking about..

This is 10000% an issue caused by Apple and I refuse to pay to have my laptop fixed. Any advice on my appointment? I’m nervous!!!

Rizzouk,

Good luck with this! Apple are not claiming responsibility for their software breaking the I/o Board which was working before the upgrade. Seams to me we need to find somebody with power to have a 2013/14 MacBook Pro and complain at top level. They know it was a faulty version. This is almost battery fare all over again. I would if you can escalate to the national news papers this will then be sorted very quickly. Apple hate bad press. France took Apple to court over the battery problem for iPhones and won.

it needs the same but this is much bigger problem customer data and work time is at risk not to mention thousands of people who can’t communicate with family because of this was their only computer.

I hope you are successful. Still won’t get everybody fixed for free.

Hey treaders,

im just curious as to what steps you’ve gone through thus far? And do you see a solution in sight? I feel like it’s pot luck how you get treated by Apple in the situations. Some people report Apple repairing their laptop for free while others report Apple insisting they pay big money.

Hello!

I’ve left my 2018 MBP at tech repair 30 days ago. I inquire daily on progress of the case. Until now Apple hasn’t provided a diagnostic yet, let alone a solution for the my problem.

I too was initially bewildered by Apple response...now I’m getting really frustrated and infuriated by this lack of assistance. 30 days without my main working machine is unacceptable under any circumstance.

I’m glad some people are getting proper support from Apple, specially those with access to Official AppleStore, but I suspect I’ll be given the option to “escalate” my case for more 30 days.

I find all this shameful and I will never accept to pay a cent for this. All this makes me question my future commitment to Apple products: I didn’t mind to pay “higher than competitors” prices because I trusted I was acquiring a better, more reliable and more supported product...but then I get this issue, and worst, this support!?

I SO THANK YOU for ALL this INFORMATION!

AS I had SO many problems after the installation of CATALINA {it STILL continues]!

I DO hope they don't suspend you~as Apple did me, when I wrote that I had such PROBLEMS w/that installation!

MOJAVE worked PERFECTLY for me! Plus, I had just had my device--a "vintage MAC PRO" repaired!

SO I AM SO GRATEFUL I CHECKED BEFORE INSTALLING BIG SUR-. due to my horrid experience with

CATALINA~

IF YOU SHOULD EVEN "see this" as Apple may totally remove my access to the Community!

Wishing you & your FAMILY-HEALTH & SAFETY during this TWILIGHT ZONE TIMES we are living in!

PEACE~regenad+

Dear Moderator, thanks for editing my post, I did not know I violated any of the rules.

Everyone else, if you can, update to the latest version 11.1 this fixed my MacBook Pro, my previous post does not include the actual fix anymore, and I cannot share it here.

Good luck.

That awesome! Can anyone else who has installed the update with 11.1 please confirm that it works ok for you? I'm still holding off updating my MBP 13" Early 2015 to Big Sur until I have some assurance this latest update has fixed the install problems.

Apple finally replaced my motherboard. I gave it away when they shipped back. I now run a windows pc. I did buy a new iPhone. They will have to do something more than a yearly marginal update to get me to switch now.