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macOS 11.2.2 Protects MacBook Pro and MacBook Air from Non-Compliant USB-C Hubs
                                    and Docs

   Adam Engst

   Here's an unusual update. Apple has released [1]macOS 11.2.2 Big Sur,
   with the release notes saying that the update prevents MacBook Pro
   models from 2019 and later and MacBook Air models from 2020 and later
   from being damaged by 'certain third-party, non-compliant, powered
   USB-C hubs and docks.' There are no other changes, even security fixes.
   It's a 2.17 GB download.

   Apple makes no mention of a repair program, which implies that the
   company feels that any damage incurred is not its fault, although most
   of the bricked Macs appear to have been replaced under warranty or
   AppleCare.

   Nor does Apple name names, so there's no way to know which USB-C hubs
   and docks might be dangerous here. The general advice is to stick with
   well-known and reputable manufacturers. Although there's no guarantee
   that they would have produced compliant peripherals, it's probably
   easier to ask such companies if their products are compliant. That
   said, a [2]Reddit thread collects reports from people who have
   experienced problems with particular devices, including those from
   Dodocool, HyperDrive, Satechi, and ZMUIPNG. If you're buying a USB-C
   hub or dock right now, it's probably safest to avoid powered ones for
   the moment.

   Our initial take is that Apple engineers have evaluated enough damaged
   Macs to understand the problem'presumably too much power' and realized
   that they could prevent the problem by adjusting how the Mac interacts
   with the powered hub or dock. Hence macOS 11.2.2. If you're running Big
   Sur and have a powered USB-C hub or dock, we recommend unplugging it
   immediately and installing this update before using it again. If you
   don't have such a hub or dock, there's no reason to install this update
   right away or perhaps at all. macOS 11.3 should be coming soon.

   More concerning is what to do with Macs running earlier versions of
   macOS with powered USB-C hubs and docks. Perhaps Apple will release a
   supplemental update for 10.15 Catalina and 10.14 Mojave to address the
   problem. If that doesn't materialize, we'll never know if the problem
   was somehow specific to Big Sur or if Apple chose not to open the
   codebases for those older operating systems. Regardless, if you have a
   powered USB-C hub or dock, we recommend unplugging it and contacting
   the manufacturer to determine if it might cause this problem.

References

   Visible links
   1. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211896#macos1122
   2. https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/kge24m/dead_m1_mac_with_usbc_multiport_adapters/

   Hidden links:
   3. https://tidbits.com/wp/../uploads/2021/02/mac-11.2.2-Big-Sur-update.png

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