Apple releases macOS Catalina 10.15.4 supplemental update to fix FaceTime bug, more

Following this week's release of iOS 13.4.1 and watchOS 6.2.1, Apple on Wednesday issued a tweaked version of macOS Catalina that fixes a bug which prevented some users from participating in FaceTime calls.

The macOS Catalina 10.15.4 supplemental update remedies a FaceTime calling bug impacting users across all Apple platforms. With patches issued for iOS, iPadOS and watchOS already issued, today's macOS release brings the Mac operating system in parity with its mobile device counterparts.

Users facing the issue reported an inability to join or participate in FaceTime calls with devices running iOS 9.3.6 and earlier and OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 and earlier.

In addition to the FaceTime issue, today's supplemental update resolves a problem in which a Mac's USB-C port may become unresponsive, according to release notes.

The release also rectifies an issue that repeatedly prompts Office 365 users for a password, as well as a problem in which some 2020 13-inch MacBook Air models may hang in Setup Assistant or when disconnecting and reconnecting a 4K or 5K external display.

Apple first issued macOS Catalina 10.15.4 in late March, delivering support for iCloud Drive folder sharing, Screen Time enhancements and time-synced lyrics for Apple Music, among other new features.

23 Comments

melgross 33607 comments · 20 Years

About 4 years ago

10.15.4 still has the problem where third party preference panels don’t work. I haven’t installed this yet. I hope it fixes that, but I doubt it.

mdoss 36 comments · 9 Years

I am facing issues downloading and installing this update. It shows up on both my machines - a 2013 iMac 27" and a 2018 13" touchbar MBPro; and when I try to download and install, it "downloads" the entire thing, but the progress bar get stuck at 100% and then never proceeds further. No more downloading, no more progressing to verifying or installing. Both machines. Same problem.

Cheers

gubi 4 comments · 4 Years

Yeah, this one borked my 2012 iMac. Had to reinstall from recovery. Proceed with caution.

ctmjpn 1 comment · 4 Years

I attempted to install the update but about halfway through my computer shutdown and it bricked my 2018 13 inch MacBook. No power, no fans coming on and off or anything when pressing and holding the power button. It was plugged and fully charged while updating. Anyone else having this problem? Also attempted to do a SMC reset to no avail still won't turn on. I am sending it in for repair. I would hold off updating unless you want to risk losing your computer for a week.

fastasleep 6450 comments · 14 Years

gubi said:

Yeah, this one borked my 2012 iMac. Had to reinstall from recovery. Proceed with caution.

ctmjpn said:

I attempted to install the update but about halfway through my computer shutdown and it bricked my 2018 13 inch MacBook. No power, no fans coming on and off or anything when pressing and holding the power button. It was plugged and fully charged while updating. Anyone else having this problem? Also attempted to do a SMC reset to no avail still won't turn on. I am sending it in for repair. I would hold off updating unless you want to risk losing your computer for a week.

Yikes. I was about to pull the trigger and upgrade from Mojave this week, but maybe I'll hold off a bit longer. 😬