Apple issues supplemental update for macOS Mojave 10.14.5 fixing T2 issues in MacBook Pro
Apple has issued a supplemental update for macOS Mojave 10.14.5 for users of the 15-inch MacBook Pro, a recommended download that fixes a problem associated with the built-in T2 Security Chip.
Posted to its support pages on Wednesday, the macOS Mojave 10.14.5 Supplemental Update for MacBook Pro is described as addressing a "firmware issue" that specifically affects versions of the 15-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the T2 Security Chip. This effectively covers all MacBook Pro models introduced since 2018.
The size of the supplemental update is 952.9 megabytes, and is downloadable from the support page directly rather than as a standard system update. Information about the actual contents of the update is unavailable at this time, as the Apple security updates page has yet to be updated.
It is unclear what exact issue the update fixes, but the T2 chip has been blamed for a number of problems since its introduction. The T2 chip has been found to block some third-party Mac repairs from being performed, may have caused errors for some MacBook Pro users installing macOS Mojave, kernel panics, and is also reportedly interfering with some professional audio interfaces.
The T2 chip handles a number of functions on behalf of the rest of macOS, including boot and security functions, faster disk encryption to the onboard flash storage, regulating fan speeds, managing the speakers, securing the built-in microphones, managing the image quality of the FaceTime camera, and powers the "Hey Siri" vocal prompts for Apple's digital assistant.
Posted to its support pages on Wednesday, the macOS Mojave 10.14.5 Supplemental Update for MacBook Pro is described as addressing a "firmware issue" that specifically affects versions of the 15-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the T2 Security Chip. This effectively covers all MacBook Pro models introduced since 2018.
The size of the supplemental update is 952.9 megabytes, and is downloadable from the support page directly rather than as a standard system update. Information about the actual contents of the update is unavailable at this time, as the Apple security updates page has yet to be updated.
It is unclear what exact issue the update fixes, but the T2 chip has been blamed for a number of problems since its introduction. The T2 chip has been found to block some third-party Mac repairs from being performed, may have caused errors for some MacBook Pro users installing macOS Mojave, kernel panics, and is also reportedly interfering with some professional audio interfaces.
The T2 chip handles a number of functions on behalf of the rest of macOS, including boot and security functions, faster disk encryption to the onboard flash storage, regulating fan speeds, managing the speakers, securing the built-in microphones, managing the image quality of the FaceTime camera, and powers the "Hey Siri" vocal prompts for Apple's digital assistant.
Comments
It only issued a crash-log once, which I sent to Apple. The other times I just had to hold the power button, and it booted back up w/o a message (or seemingly any data-loss).
I wonder if such an issue with the T2 is broader than the MBP, but they just haven't gotten to it yet?
I had been running the 'Brooklyn' screen saver (the one with all the cool Apple logos morphing), but since my lockups had been in the lock screen, I went back to the simple 'Message' one. Knock on wood, but no lockups since.
But, again, I haven't necessarily been running the same stuff for extended periods since that change, so just a precaution. I might switch back in a couple days again just to see if I get more lockups.