screenrant.com macOS Monterey 12.3 Update Is Bricking Some Macs: Here's What We Know

Apple this week released ‌macOS Monterey‌ 12.3, but some users are now complaining that the update is breaking their computers. Originally unveiled at Apple's last Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2021, macOS Monterey is the latest update to the company's desktop operating system. The release of version 12.3 brought a number of cool new features, including the long-awaited Universal Control. However, many users are left unable to use the feature or even their computer after an attempted update to the latest software.

Bugs are a part and parcel of any software update, but Apple's new releases are gaining a nasty reputation of being filled with problems. iOS 15 is a case in point, with most of its recent iterations suffering from serious bugs and security vulnerabilities affecting both the OS itself and its built-in apps like Safari and Photos. macOS Monterey also had bricking problems last year, when reports suggested that in some cases at least, installing the OS was leaving devices unable to switch back on again.

Related: Mac Studio Vs. Mac mini: Do You Really Need That Much Power?

According to multiple complaints on Apple's support forums and online message boards like Reddit, updating to macOS Monterey‌ 12.3 is bricking computers that have had a logic board replacement. There are many users and developers who are complaining that their computers have been rendered unusable by trying to update to Monterey 12.3. As explained on an Apple Developer forum thread, users trying to update to Monterey 12.3 from 12.2.1 or earlier, are unable to do so if their device has had a logic board replacement. According to many of the complainants, the attempted upgrade is cut short by errors, restart loops, and often, a completely bricked Mac.

Restoring A Bricked Mac Is Complicated

Most of the complaints seem to be in relation to the new M1 MacBook Pros (both 14-inch and 16-inch models), but it's not immediately clear if other devices are immune from the problem. According to the one of the posts, once the Mac enters a bootloop following an attempted update to Monterey 12.3, the only way to revive it again is by manually downloading the 12.2.1 IPSW and using Apple Configurator 2. If successful, the Mac will be restored to version 12.2.1, although the suggested fix might not work every time. What's more, the process needs a second Mac, which is unavailable to most users. It's also relatively complicated, and may not be possible for general users.

Reddit is also filled with similar stories of devices that are either completely bricked or flashing error messages following an attempted update. Apple is yet to comment on the issue, but it's unlikely that the company is unaware of the problem, given how many complaints have been posted across so many platforms. Either way, it will be interesting to see how long Apple will take to roll out a fix, so that users trying to update to the new software don't end up bricking their computers in the process.

Next: Studio Display Vs. Pro Display XDR: $1,600 And $5,000 Monitors Compared

Source: Apple Developer forum, Reddit