Failed to update macOS 12.3

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.

I can't upgrade to MacOS 12/3 on my MBP 14" 2021. I had the logic board replaced in Feb due to coffee spill. On Tuesday when 12.3 came update tried to update but fit doesn't finish the upgrade after the Mac installs 12.3, it stays on current version. Then hit software upgrade button again, and it will brick it (black screen with exclamation mark and reference that you need to restore). Did the Apple Configurator 2 thing to revive or restore, but does not work. Brought it to the Apple Store and they again replaced logic board with versions 12.01 on it. I went home to upgrade to latest OS as instructed by the Genius from Apple store. However, I am at the same point that after it does the install it does not finish but stay on 12.01. I will not do it again as it will brick my MBP again. The Apple Genuis people clearly don't understand the problem.

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.

Genius was able to downgrade my machine to 12.2.1 which boots normally, and I was able to get up and running. Tried another upgrade to 12.3 which failed again. I'm starting to worry this is going to require a 12.3.1 or a trip to Apple for repair/replacement.

Thank you!

Yes, in the beginning, I tried two times to upgrade on my Macbook (my MLB has been replaced once because of liquid damage), then I could not boot it anymore, only flashing logo and exclamation point showed on the screen. I went to Apple store, they told me they could not restore it, and the only way to solve it was to replace MLB at no cost (Because they including me thought the error was caused by pervious repair). I hope there is no a permanent hardware damage and let's just wait for apple to solve it!

Thank you for the answer.

It can’t be put in recovery mode. It doesn’t boot up. It is like is dead. (Because I think the T2 BridgeOS firmware is corrupted)

The only way I can communicate with it is with Apple Controller 2 through DFU mode with another Mac.

So I will try to revive it through that way and let it download 12.3.1 and see how that goes!

Ok if nothing works It would be a good a idea to create a USB installer, but if it is in the same state, it won’t recognize it.

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

Here are the links to the 9to5Mac.com & Macrumors articles

https://9to5mac.com/2022/03/17/repaired-m1-macs-being-bricked/

https://www.macrumors.com/2022/03/17/macos-monterey-bricking-macs-logic-boards/

That's frustrating - but exactly what I expected for the first few people going in. At this point your best bet is probably to do the update again and see if it bricks then go back and ask for replacement machine given Apple haven't even acknowledged the problem yet. You can point out the press reports on MacRumors and 9to5Mac about the issue. As the machine is 5 months old maximum, they should be able to arrange it. Or just stay on 12.2.1 for a while and hope they announce something soon.

I have the same issue. M1 Max with motherboard replaced.

I went to Apple Store, they sent it to repair. The repair center replaced the motherboard again and installed macOS 12.0.1, but that doesn't fix the issue.

I've been through TWO logic boards. The first one died after my Touch key died. Took it to Apple store here in Sydney and they diagnosed a hardware problem requiring replacement of the board. (I got my MacBook Pro -- an M1-- only in mid-November.)

They replaced the board. I went got the repaired machine and took it home, excited I would have a laptop after almost a month of hassles. I tried downloading the 12.3 update and got the dreaded circle with an exclamation mark inside and tried to restore the system. NO luck. Took it back to the Apple Store. They couldn't fix it so replaced the SECOND logic board (if I wanted to be snotty, I'd note this was the THIRD logic board in this clamshell....) Not knowing about the problems with 12.3 I tried downloading it to keep my machine up to date. The laptop just cycles through over and over. At least it hasn't destroyed THIS logic board! But it's impossible to find out what's going on from Apple. I don't know if there is a problem with the plant making the logic boards for the new MacBook Pros, but something seems pretty weird here. In 25 years of relying on Apple products I've never had a problem like this.

ONE NOTE FOR APPLE -- you've got to consider having a single global policy for repair of your kit. I bought my laptop online in the US and no one in Apple here in Australia would agree to replace my machine, which didn't work at all. They noted different countries have different laws -- blah blah blah -- but no company is going to get into legal trouble by being TOO generous and thoughtful in helping their customers. I've logged more than a full week of time (including travel) trying to get these problems resolved. If Apple's policy had allowed I could have spent an hour or so (not including travel time) getting a new laptop each time -- as Australian law allows since the gear simply didn't work -- and walked out. Instead, Apple spent several thousand dollars having workers buy and replace the logic boards. And making this customer spend hours and hours on the phone and in two different Apple stores to find out what was going on and how Apple would fix it. And you left this Apple customer, stockholder (long time) and fan feeling very uneasy about my future relationship with the company.

Fix the upgrade please. Tell us what's happening with it. And produce a decent global replacement policy that will garner you nothing but praise, consumer loyalty and probably sell more kit.

I have same problem with my MacBook Pro 16inch 2021 M1 Pro. I bought computer with a faulty fan probably the motherboard was replaced during the repair. Anyway, after update to 12.3 the computer went to repair again - black screen and blinking apple.

Yesterday came back from repair, everything works fine but I have ver. 12.0.1 again and I'm scared to get update.

I assume I have to wait to 12.4 right?

I have been using apple hardware for many years, I started from Tiger ;) I don't remember such a serious problem like this one.

Welcome to Apple Roulette!!! I have 2019 MBP with a new logic board thanks to shoddy engineering by Apple and their need to replace the entire top module due to a space bar issue.

I've waited for 12.3.1 after going through cycles of trying to update to 12.3. I figured Apple must've fixed the problems because, well Apple. Nope. After 30 minutes of appearing to update, the machine restarted and I'm still on 12.2.1.

My advice, do not update to 12.3.1 until we get clarification from Apple (put on a pot of coffee, based on Apple's lack of communication on the bricking issues of 12.3, we ain't gonna' hear nothing from them).

I don't remember a screwup this bad from Apple and I've been on Macs for years.

Imagine paying the prices we pay for MacBooks and being afraid to update them accompanied by Apple's utter silence on this issue.

Crap.

I had a logic board replaced and with the release of 12.3.1 I was able to update my 2021 MacBook pro without any issues. 👌