MacBook Pro bricked after failed Big Sur update 😵 ⚰️

Can anyone please advise how long it took to install Big Sur 11.1 including what Mac system it was installed on? I have a MBP early 2015 and am interested to know how long to expect the update to take.

Mine took approx 40 mins to update, and it worked. I must admit, after reading all the horror stories in this forum I held my breath all the way through the update and numerous system restarts. It even went through a blank screen stage for about 5 mins, but came back and continued the install. Anyway, I'm pleased to announce my MBP Retina 13" Early 2015 is now on Big Sur 11.1

It took me about 25 mins on Dec 15 starting at 9:35pm EST.

Model: MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013)

Processor: 2.6 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7

Memory:  16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M 2 GB

Some semi-good news on my Mid-2014 MacBook Pro - I finally got through to a very nice senior support person today that took me seriously, and was willing to research the issue. He found a document that discussed my very issue, and we went through a line of troubleshooting and questions that fit my problem to a T. It's being submitted to engineering. I'm hoping that someone will take pity on me and help repair or replace my computer. My problem is DEFINITELY related to the attempt to install Big Sur.

I thought the whole point of a forum was to share you experience and fixes and ask for help. Not to be shot down when a solution is found. This is becoming fast a dictatorship not a forum! Moderator of this forum please don’t keep deleting something that might help others resolve a problem.

I also have a bricked MacBook Pro now. My computer should not have initiated an auto update but apparently it did. Now when I try to use it, I get a black screen with a flashing question mark folder. This seems to be happening to a lot of people right now. Is Apple compensating anyone?

Yes, you can check at the bottom of this page, (you can check the same way: “https:support.apple.com/[Apple product family/specific product]” for other Apple products you may have) https://support.apple.com/mac/macbook-pro

I’m not aware of one. I only knew about the battery replacement program because I had the swollen battery problem. My MBP was not eligible either. The genius told me that I keep it plugged in too much and don’t allow the battery to cycle.

Hello Dana!

Glad to see your persistence pay-off and Apple provided the kind of support we love it for. Personally I feel tech issues are something that will always occur, it’s the way you’re supported that sets a brand reputation, so I was appalled by initial response from Apple to this Big Sur issue; Glad it got back on tracks! I got my 2018 MBP affected (it wouldn’t update, so needed a T2 chip firmware reset done for free in Authorized Tech shop) so I hold off any install on my old 2013 MBP. Cases like yours make more confident in going through now.

I’m sure the brand new M1 machine will soon make forget your ordeal!

PS: Could you please confurm your experience was in a US store?

So I made another appointment with Apple, went and delivered it and was called the next day that I would have to pick it up as all Apple retail stores in the DFW Texas area were going to shut down due to COVID.

The next option was a separate authorized repair store, so I delivered it and am waiting on their diagnostics. The rep at this store advised this was the third time the local Apple stores had temporarily closed due to COVID.

Thank you Dana, for your kind answer.

I’m considering to go trough the hassle because I use this as a backup machine, as I had to, during the whole month it took Apple to sort out the issue with my MBP. I also will use it to check Big Sur before install on my main MBP, however I’ll wait for a new more stable release.

Enjoy your new M1!

I guess I will have to start from scratch calling Apple support again, as my repair is in limbo at an authorized repair center due to all Apple stores in Texas are closed due to COVID. I had been working with an Apple senior rep by email but she has not replied or authorize the repair with the repair center.

My heart sank when I saw this thread.

Like many others, I upgraded to Big Sur after being urged to do so by rather regular and irritating popup prompts. I was waiting for feedback on a live project, so I went for it.

My MacBook Pro (mid 2014), is now toast.

The one I rely on to make a living. In the middle of a web build for one of my few remaining loyal clients.

I cannot replace it.

I feel sick.

Why would Apple allow me to do this, months after the issue was clear?

They have totally let me down, with the worst possible timing.

I'm livid.

To add, a day in and I'm noticing a significant improvement in responsiveness.

No issues with the Adobe suite.

It's working better than it did with Catalina and Mojave. So far.

That could be down to the erase, and removing a heap of apps, add-ons and Google File Stream.

It's made an 'obsolete' and 'vintage' machine feel brand new.

Every cloud. ☁️

Yes! My mid-2014 MacBook Pro was actually replaced, because they didn’t have the parts to repair it. I got a MacBook Pro M1 with similar specs. It was a lot of work to get there, but I did finally receive the replacement.