Apple’s macOS Big Sur update ‘bricks’ some older MacBooks, users complain

Users are left with a static black screen when updating older devices

(Getty Images)

The latest update for Apple’s computers is bricking some devices, leaving them unable to be used.

Multiple users are reporting that while attempting to update their computers to the lattes operating system, macOS Big Sur, their computers are stuck displaying a black screen.

Any attempt to reset these computers, including starting the device in safe mode or resetting it, do not appear to work.

The devices which seem to be most affected, as reported by Macrumours, are the 2013 and mid-2014 13-inch MacBook Pro. Users experiencing the issue have said that they were told by Apple support to book their device in for repairs, while another said that the issue had been sent to Apple’s engineering team.

The affected MacBooks are some of Apple’s oldest devices supported by the new operating system, and as such would not be covered under Apple’s AppleCare extended warranty.

As such, users could face fees for repairing their computers or may be forced to buy new ones. Apple’s latest MacBook Air line starts at £999, while the MacBook Pro starts at £1,099.

When reached for more information, Apple declined to comment. It has not indicated whether any fix may be released.

Big Sur brings a total redesign to the look of the operating system and updates many of the built-in apps.

It adds widgets, a new Control Centre, new Maps and Safari software, as well as upgrades to iMessage to Apple laptops and computers.

However, many users with new devices found that they had issues using their apps, with a problem occurring with the applications checking in with Apple’s servers.

The new operating system also allows Apple’s own apps to bypass firewalls and VPNs, which means devices can be more easily exploited by malware. 

This is not the only instance where a new Apple update has resulted in difficulties for owners. In 2019, macOS Catalina dropped support for 32-bit applications, leaving some legacy versions of Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, Garageband, and other software inoperable. Over 235 applications were left hampered by the update.