Apple Offers Instructions on What to Do if macOS Big Sur Causes Installation Errors on 2013 and 2014 MacBook Pro

Following the release of macOS Big Sur last week, a number of 2013 and 2014 MacBook Pro owners found that the update bricked their machines. Affected users saw their Macs get stuck displaying a black screen after attempting to install the new software.

macbookpro13large
Apple has now addressed this issue in a new support document that provides instructions on what to do if macOS Big Sur can't be installed on a 2013 or 2014 MacBook Pro machine. Apple suggests Mac owners experiencing these issues unplug external devices, attempt restarting, reset the SMC, and reset NVRAM or PRAM. From the support document:

  1. Press and hold the power button on your Mac for at least 10 seconds, then release. If your Mac is on, it turns off.
  2. Unplug all external devices from your Mac, including any displays and USB accessories, and remove any card inserted in the SDXC card slot. Then turn your Mac on.
  3. If the issue persists, reset the SMC as described for notebook computers with a nonremovable battery.
  4. If the issue persists, reset NVRAM or PRAM.

Apple says if these solutions do not work, affected customers should contact Apple Support for further help with the problem. The document also says that Apple plans to update the article as more information becomes available.

To be safe, those with older ‌MacBook Pro‌ models from 2013 or 2014 should avoid installing the macOS Big Sur update at this time until a more definitive fix becomes available. Apple today released a new version of macOS Big Sur 11.0.1, but it is not clear if this addresses the problems that are being seen with older ‌MacBook Pro‌ models.

Related Forum: macOS Big Sur

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

New iPhone 17 Pro Details: Brighter Display, Best Battery Life, and More

Wednesday September 3, 2025 5:33 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors. According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of Apple Event Next Week

Tuesday September 2, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Just one week before Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, an analyst has shared new price estimates for the devices. Here are J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee's price estimates for the iPhone 17 series in the United States, according to 9to5Mac: Model Starting Price Model Starting Price Change iPhone 16 $799 iPhone 17 ...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
iPhone 17 Pro on Desk Centered 1

Survey: Nearly 70% of Users Plan to Upgrade to iPhone 17

Monday September 1, 2025 8:24 am PDT by
A new survey has found that nearly seven in ten iPhone owners in the United States plan to upgrade to an iPhone 17 model, signaling strong demand ahead of Apple's expected unveiling of the devices at its September 9 keynote. Smartphone price comparison platform SellCell surveyed over 2,000 U.S.-based iPhone users in August to assess upgrade interest and brand loyalty before Apple's event....

Top Rated Comments

swingerofbirch Avatar
63 months ago
As more information becomes available? They are the information. Not the channel 5 news.

This sounds like general advice from tier 1 tech support for every issue ever. They couldn't have asked one of their software engineers what's going on?
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PrayForDeath Avatar
63 months ago

Apple should just rename Big Sur to Big Sour Apple OS. Pro tip: Years ago my tech friend (he's VERY tech savvy) told me to ALWAYS stay at least 3 (or at the very least 2) major software versions behind, regardless if it's operating systems, or simpler applications like Adobe Photoshop. And after 3 years, if the software is still not fixed, wait for the next major version. Still running macOS High Sierra 10.13 on my 2014 MacBook Pro. It's running fast and flawless, thanks to my tech friend's pro advice, which I will always keep following. This has in many ways saved me so much money and time.
So I assume you just upgraded to iOS 11 then. How are you finding it so far? Aww you’re disappointed with its performance? That sucks man... don’t worry, next year‘s iOS 12 will improve performance drastically. Too bad you can’t upgrade now because you’re following your VERY tech savvy friend’s advice.

Wait till you hear about iOS 14, it lets you add widgets to your home screen ?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrMaxwell Avatar
63 months ago

Nice. After several days Apple addressed the issue by... pointing users towards the boilerplate advice you get any time you call Apple for support. Because surely nobody thought to try THAT before ?
You realise that 95% of users have no idea about SMC reset, NVRAM and PRAM?

It's basic advise because it needs to be!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ouimetnick Avatar
63 months ago

As more information becomes available? They are the information. Not the channel 5 news.

This sounds like general advice from tier 1 tech support for every issue ever. They couldn't have asked one of their software engineers what's going on?
Perhaps their software engineering team doesn’t know what’s going on quite yet. They might need to receive some of the “bricked” machines to diagnose and determine what exactly went wrong.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
goonie4life9 Avatar
63 months ago
I’ve noticed that Apple more and more pretends they aren’t directly involved in the creation and support of their own products. Often, when I talk to tech. support, they’ll refer to a nebulous “they” or talk about “Apple” doing things, as if they aren’t Apple. This must be some new PR/HR strategy to deflect accountability.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sully54 Avatar
63 months ago
I have 2 papers due and three weeks left in the semester. Not upgrading until I'm done the semester. a bricked mac is the last thing I need in 2020
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)