Apple Fixes macOS Monterey Bug That Bricked Some Older Macs

Earlier today, Apple started rolling out a fix for a bug with macOS Monterey that prevented some older Macs with T2 security chips from booting up after updating to the latest firmware.

Apple announced macOS Monterey back in June, and the final release became available to download last week.

However, users have not had the smoothest sailing with macOS Monterey so far — not only did the update brick some users’ Macs entirely, it is also plagued by an annoying ‘memory leak’ issue that’s even affecting the latest MacBook Pros.

Apple today issued the following statement (via Rene Ritchie):

We have identified and fixed an issue with the firmware on the Apple T2 security chip that prevented a very small number of users from booting up their Mac after updating macOS. The updated firmware is now included with the existing macOS updates. Any users impacted by this issue can contact Apple Support for assistance.

Apple explains that it has deployed an updated version of the brideOS firmware that runs on its T2 security chips to prevent users who now update to macOS Monterey from encountering the problem. Mac users who have already been affected by the issue are instructed to contact Apple Support for assistance.

For Mac users who held off on updating — like we previously suggested in our coverage of macOS Monterey’s ‘memory leak’ issue, it is now safe to update.

The following Mac computers have Apple’s T2 security chip, and were therefore susceptible to the bug:

  • iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020)
  • iMac Pro
  • Mac Pro (2019)
  • Mac Pro (Rack, 2019)
  • Mac mini (2018)
  • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)
  • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)
  • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
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