macOS Tahoe Update Delayed for M3 Ultra Mac Studio Users

Apple released macOS Tahoe to the public this Monday. Owners of the high-end M3 Ultra Mac Studio cannot install the update. The installation process fails during reboot, reverting the computer to the previous OS. This issue prevents users from accessing new features and security enhancements.

According to user reports on an Apple Discussion forum, the problem is widespread for this specific model. The company has acknowledged the bug and is investigating a potential fix. This delay affects a small but significant group of professional users.

Neural Engine Driver Error Causes Installation Failure

The update process begins normally for M3 Ultra Mac Studio machines. The system prepares the installation and then reboots to complete it. At the “less than a minute” remaining stage, the Mac suddenly reverts to the login screen.

After entering their password, users see an error message about an unexpected reboot. Analysis from the forum suggests the root cause is a driver compatibility issue. The macOS Tahoe installer cannot properly load a driver for the Mac Studio’s Neural Engine chip.

This hardware-specific problem means users cannot force the update to work. There are no known user-side fixes available at this time. Apple engineers must develop and test a patch to resolve the driver conflict.

Apple’s Patch Timeline for Specialized Macs Remains Unclear

This is not the first time a new Apple Silicon device faced major OS update problems. Last year, the release of iPadOS 18 bricked some M4 iPad Pro units. That situation required a dedicated iPadOS 18.0.1 update to resolve.

Fixes for niche hardware issues often take longer to release. Since the M3 Ultra Mac Studio has a smaller user base, it may not be Apple’s top priority. The company must ensure the fix is stable before pushing it to customers.

Users are advised to wait for an official communication from Apple. The solution will likely arrive as a revised macOS Tahoe build or a subsequent point update. Installing beta software is not recommended for primary work machines.

The macOS Tahoe update issue highlights the challenges of supporting specialized hardware. M3 Ultra Mac Studio users must wait for Apple to issue a certified fix. This delay temporarily blocks access to the latest Apple Intelligence features.

Info at your fingertips

Which Mac models are affected by this update problem?

This issue currently only affects the Mac Studio equipped with the M3 Ultra chip. Other M3 Mac models and Intel-based Macs can update to macOS Tahoe without this specific problem.

What is causing the macOS Tahoe installation to fail?

The installation fails due to a driver compatibility issue with the Neural Engine. The new OS cannot properly load a necessary driver during the reboot phase, causing the update to halt and revert.

Is there anything I can do to fix this myself?

No, there are no user-side fixes available for this particular problem. Attempting workarounds could potentially lead to data loss or further system instability.

How long will it take Apple to release a fix?

Apple has not provided an official timeline for a patch. Based on similar past issues, a fix could take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks to be released.

Trusted Sources

Apple Discussion Forums