2019 MacBook Pro (Intel i9) bricked while running MacOS Tahoe (26.0)

1. Install Apple Configurator 2 on a second Mac

Free in the Mac App Store.

2. Connect your 2019 MacBook Pro to the working Mac using USB-C

Use the left-hand ports closest to the display — they are required for T2 DFU mode.

3. Put the 2019 MacBook Pro into DFU Mode

This has to be done perfectly:

1. Shut the Mac down completely
2. Hold Right Shift + Left Control + Left Option
3. While holding, press and hold power button for 10 seconds
4. Release all keys
5. The dead Mac’s screen will stay black
6. On the working Mac, in Configurator, it should appear as a revivable DFU device

4. Choose Revive (try this first)

Downloads firmware & BridgeOS but preserves data IF possible.

5. If revive fails → choose Restore

This wipes the internal disk, but is the only way to fix completely corrupted T2 firmware.

"This has to be done perfectly....."

Ya and if that does not work as described just follow the direction in the link posted above.

ref: How to identify the DFU port on Mac - Apple Support

ijhowle wrote:

I have a 2019 MacBook Pro (Intel i9) and absolutely love it! Which is why I kept using it. That machine has been such a workhorse. I updated to MacOS Tahoe (26.0) back in September (installation went well), and noticed that when I lifted the lid, it didn't always wake up.

Sometimes I had to press the power button to get it going. This happened intermittently.

Later, I updated to version 26.1 and it seemed to happen less often. The computer ran well for awhile, then yesterday when I went to open the lid, nothing happened. I pressed the power button, and nothing. So

I went to Apple's support site and tried a few things. When all else failed,

I made a Genius Bar appointment at my local Apple Store. The support person was unable to get it to turn on. He took it in the back and opened it up. Everything looked fine hardware-wise.

He doesn't know what's wrong but suspects it's a software issue. In effect, my 2019 Intel MacBook Pro is bricked. Thankfully, my important data is saved in the cloud.

This is both an FYI and a question, being: has anyone else had this happen and found a way to resolve it?

Looked fine or tested fine???

Sounds like a hardware issue. A failed Lid Angle Sensor comes to mind...

Accidental liquid damage is one of the most common ways these Lid Angle Sensors fail

I don't think you can blame Tahoe macoS 26. or currently macOS 26.1

I do not see any trend here in the communities concerning your issue.

I run the same exact Mac, no issues.

Did you leave for further investigation(?) Do you suspect they did DFU Firmware Restore ...and still dead in the water?

How to revive or restore Mac firmware - Apple Support

You should see a report of "Recent Activity for some formal report:

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