Failed to update macOS 12.3

Was able to connect with Apple Support. Was told on Saturday (apologies for the delay in posting) that Apple engineering is aware of this issue and are working on a fix. It does seem to be related to those of us that have had logic boards replaced. No ETA on a fix, but I was told I would get a call/email letting me know a fix was available. My support contact said he believed it would come in the form of a new software update, perhaps 12.3.1 or a patch to 12.3, but the issue would be called out in release notes. It appears a fix is on the way.

Hope this is helpful.

Update:

Alright, that was the weirdest update process I've ever seen. During the update process started, it flashed the Apple logo repeatedly. It then went on to say that I needed to reinstall my Mac. So I went ahead and followed the prompts. After all that, it successfully installed 12.3.1 without any data loss, everything is still here.

Some background: Prior to this, my Mac was unable to update to 12.3. However, I did NOT have any logic board replacement. It just refused to update and kept saying "iBoot Panic".

So it seems that at least for a subset of people who where unable to update, 12.3.1 fixes the issue.

I would still highly recommend that you backup your data before trying it or, if you can't afford to be without your Mac, wait and see how it goes for other people.

Revive or restore a Mac with Apple silicon using Apple Configurator 2

The Apple Configurator 2 is available on the apple Apps Store

Should it fail again, I would get to an Apple Store for evaluation.

Oh I forgot that Intel Macs are different. I believe you could first try reinstall in recovery mode, or revive it in Apple Configurator 2. If those won't work, then try making a USB installer.

If you search "macOS Monterey InstallAssistant.pkg" on search engine, you could find some websites providing links to download specific versions of macOS. Use your other Mac to download and open it, it will extract "Install macOS.app".

Then create a bootable installer: How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

And try installing using it.

THIS IS A FAILURE OF APPLE'S!!! The update of death has been known for a couple of weeks now. Not only is Apple not warning folks about it:

• 12.3 still appears as an update option for my MBP with a replaced logic board - I was lucky, I only got into an upgrade loop...it didn't brick my machine...but the upgrade is still showing up as available!
• I was in the mall this weekend and asked the guy checking people in about it. His response, and I admire his honesty, was 'Yes, you're right; it's a huge problem and Apple hasn't told us anything. Nothing. So wait for a new version.'

What is so bad, Apple, that you're choosing to knowingly brick machines, not warn your customers about it and you're leaving the update for unsuspecting users who will suffer the same fate???

For me, this is a huge trust issue...Apple, it's time to do the right thing.

I have a Macbook Air 2019 with 12.2.1. Nothing was ever replaced in this computer nor the logic board. Still fail to update to 12.3.1.

1. After first stage the computer shuts down completely (not a restart as expected)
2. When I turn it on (tried different timing even after one hour) it will finish the update
3. No visible error
4. System will show 12.2.1 and "a new update is available" 12.3.1

Tried few times, will probably await for a fix...I need to laptop and it works flawlessly except from able to update OS.

Anyone with the same anomaly? computers with no new logic board?

Thanks

Have run Beta software previously?

Has the user ( you ) un-enrolled from Beta Testing ?

The Beta software could have done something negative to the iBridge ROM which is showing up with a failed Public Released version of Monterey 12.3.

If after downloading the Full Released Version of 12.3 and attempting the installation - should it fail again, I would get to an Apple Store for evaluation.

Hello @fyime.

I've got this issue too. Has your Mac ever had a logic board replaced? I have a suspicion that's the fault here. It's causing the iBoot firmware to fail. It's literally impossible to get 12.3's iBoot Firmware running on Macs with this fault. :(

You can recover with a second Mac and configurator back down to 12.2.1 to at least get back up and running until Apple can fix the firmware.

I suspect all an Apple Store will do is call it a logic board replacement, which won't actually help as it will just fail to update to 12.3 again until they ship with 12.3 on them, and just leave you without your Mac for a few days... the only way this issue is resolved is with a subsequent update from Apple.

But the first step needs to be someone there being aware of the issue to organise the fix - though I get people going to the Apple Store might be how they start noticing this pattern as I doubt they read these forums.

Spent about 2 hours with two Apple support technicians last evening. Tried to install 12.3 from recovery mode, which failed. Was asked to erase MBP and try another install from recovery (I have full backups). Erased SSD and tried install, 2 more times. It appears 12.3 is installed but will not boot except into recovery mode. The online technician thinks it could be related to the new logic board, the installer may think this is an “external” drive which is not authorized by the internal firmware. I’m at the apple store to try again with a Genius at the Genius Bar.

One other symptom of note: in recovery mode, in the menu under Utilities is an option Startup Security Utility. It gave me an error yesterday before erasing the SSD: (SDError Domain: error 108). After erasing the SSD it refuses to run at all.

I’ll post more after my Genius Bar session. I’m hoping they can help.

What you have shared my or may not dovetail into below >>

There are reports appearing on the ASC Forums regarding failed installation of Monterey on older Qualifying Apple Computers. In most cases this is related to having a NON Apple Original internal drive ?  

The EFI Boot ROM included in Monterey is verifying for Original Apple Drive and if not found , may Balk or fail to upgrade to Monterey. 

Reports indicate the EFI BOOT ROM is Required to Flash the Computer and is a  requirement for a Successful Monterey Installation.

With the new LogicBoard installation - alert the Apple Tech person to above info.

It may help them solve this with their On-hand technique

Thanks for the update! Yeh, the main issue is none of us (even Genius Bar techs) can get full debug logs of why the firmware fails to load - that’s going to require specialist hardware they only have somewhere they actually design the hardware I think.

All we can see if that the firmware update gets submitted and when it boots to do that update, clearly fails.

I’ve got a Genius Bar appointment tomorrow but based on other reports they’ll offer to do a logic board replacement and if that still fails do a full machine swap given it only affects the new macs, the oldest are only going to be 6 months old and this is a failure related to a previous repair.

MBP 16" 2021. I have a similar issue upgrading to 12.3. Same error, "iBoot panic" and still staying in 12.2.1.

However, I haven't had a logic board replacement. I've tried to update five times now. It doesn't brick the Mac, but update always fails.

Even called Apple Support, they did remote diagnostics and verified that logic board is fine and no hardware issues.

I also saw a person in another forum who did not have a logic board replacement experience the same issue.

Just trying to add more info.

I do hope somebody manages to track down the actual root cause of this.