Apple macOS Big Sur update ‘bricking’ old MacBook Pro laptops

A new update to Apple’s operating system has caused havoc, reportedly “bricking” older laptops the company said should have been fine.

Apple’s newly released update to its Mac operating system is reportedly “bricking” some older laptops.

In multiple posts on Apple’s support forums, as well as others, owners have detailed their struggles trying to update to macOS Big Sur, released last week shortly after Apple announced the new M1 system-on-chip that will power future devices.

MacOS Big Sur was released last week.

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“It all downloaded fine and I clicked all the items to go ahead. It said it’d be a while so I stepped away from the computer. When I returned the screen was black … nothing would wake it up so I eventually held the power button to force a shutdown. Now it won’t boot,” one Apple customer said on the company’s support forum.

“My MacBook Pro is stuck on installation. Left it to install overnight and it is stuck on the installation status bar. Reading this post I don’t know what to do.”

“Anyone else have the MacBook Pro stuck on a black screen?” A user on the MacRumours forum asked.

Several other users were indeed having the same problem.

A user on Reddit’s r/mac subforum reported being told to book their device in for repair after the steps Apple advised failed to bring their computer back to life.

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Older MacBook Pro laptops are experiencing issues.

The majority of reported issues appear to be coming from owners of 2013 and 2014 MacBook Pro laptops.

Apple said 2013 MacBook Pro, Air and Mac Pro models are supported in the update but it might be worth waiting to see if a fix eventuates before you try to update.

Apple has been contacted for comment and we’ll update you if we hear back from them.