macOS
Mac troubleshooting — startup, updates, Wi-Fi, storage, and app problems on macOS.
71 guides
- macOS
How to Update Your Apps on a Mac (App Store and Other Apps)
Keep the apps on your Mac up to date. Here's how to update App Store apps manually, turn on automatic updates, and update apps you didn't get from the store.
April 1, 2026 - macOS
Can't Download or Update Apps From the App Store on a Mac? Here's the Fix
App Store downloads on your Mac get stuck, fail, or say it can't connect. Here's how to fix it — check status, sign in, clear an unpaid order, and restart.
March 26, 2026 - macOS
How to Enable Fast User Switching on a Mac
Jump between Mac accounts without logging out and losing your open apps. Here is how to add the Fast User Switching control to the menu bar or Control Center.
March 26, 2026 - macOS
How to Manage Login Items and Background Apps on Mac
Stop unwanted apps from opening at startup or running in the background on your Mac. Manage Open at Login and Allow in the Background in System Settings.
March 24, 2026 - macOS
How to Set Up a Guest User Account on Your Mac
Let someone borrow your Mac without touching your files. Here is how to turn on the Guest User in System Settings, what guests can and can't do, and why their files vanish at logout.
March 22, 2026 - macOS
Uninstall an App Completely on a Mac (Including Leftover Files)
How to fully remove an app on your Mac — use its uninstaller if it has one, drag it to the Trash, and empty the Trash so the app is gone for good.
March 20, 2026 - macOS
How to Add a New User Account on Your Mac
Sharing a Mac? Here is how to add a new user account in System Settings, the difference between Administrator and Standard accounts, and which one to pick.
March 18, 2026 - macOS
App Keeps Crashing or Quits Unexpectedly on Mac? How to Fix It
An app on your Mac keeps quitting unexpectedly, freezing, or won't open. Work through Apple's fixes: restart, update, then delete and reinstall the app.
March 18, 2026 - macOS
Allow Apps From the App Store and Identified Developers on a Mac
macOS blocked an app, or you can't find the setting that controls which apps are allowed. Here's how to use Privacy & Security to allow apps and open one safely.
March 16, 2026 - macOS
How to Turn FileVault On or Off on a Mac (and What the Recovery Key Is)
FileVault encrypts everything on your Mac. Here is how to turn it on or off in System Settings, what the recovery key is, and the one mistake that locks you out of your own files forever.
March 15, 2026 - macOS
Mac Running Slow or Showing the Spinning Beachball? How to Speed It Up
Your Mac feels sluggish or keeps showing the spinning beachball. Use Activity Monitor to find what's hogging resources, free up space, and trim startup apps.
March 13, 2026 - macOS
Forgot Your Mac Login Password? How to Reset It and Get Back In
Locked out of your Mac because you forgot the login password? The supported resets: your Apple Account, FileVault recovery key, another admin, or Recovery.
March 12, 2026 - macOS
Install Rosetta to Run Intel Apps on an Apple Silicon Mac
An app says it needs Rosetta, or won't open on your Apple silicon Mac. Here's how to install Rosetta so Intel-based apps run on M-series Macs.
March 12, 2026 - macOS
App Won't Quit or Respond on Mac? How to Force Quit It
An app on your Mac is frozen, spinning, or won't close. Here's how to force it to quit with a keyboard shortcut, the Apple menu, or Activity Monitor.
March 9, 2026 - macOS
"Apple Cannot Check It for Malicious Software"? How to Safely Open the App on Mac
macOS blocks an app saying Apple cannot check it for malicious software, or it's from an unidentified developer. Here's how to open it safely the way Apple recommends.
March 6, 2026 - macOS
How to Use Stage Manager to Organize Windows on a Mac
Stage Manager keeps your current window front and center and tucks the rest into a tidy strip on the side. Here is how to turn it on and use it on your Mac.
December 8, 2025 - macOS
How to Set Up Hot Corners on a Mac
Trigger actions like Mission Control, the screen saver, or a locked screen by moving your pointer to a corner. Here is how to set up Hot Corners on your Mac.
December 4, 2025 - macOS
How to Use Mission Control and Multiple Spaces on a Mac
See every open window at a glance and spread your work across separate desktops. Here is how to use Mission Control and create multiple Spaces on your Mac.
December 1, 2025 - macOS
How to Set Up and Use Focus Modes on a Mac
Cut distractions on your Mac by setting up a Focus that silences notifications except the people and apps you choose. Here is how to create, schedule, and use one.
November 27, 2025 - macOS
How to Customize Control Center and the Menu Bar on Mac
Add, remove, and rearrange the controls in Control Center and put the ones you use most in the menu bar. Here is how to customize both on your Mac.
November 23, 2025 - macOS
Erase and Format a Drive in Disk Utility: APFS vs ExFAT
Format an external drive on your Mac with Disk Utility. Choose APFS for Mac-only use or ExFAT for Windows compatibility, with the exact erase steps.
November 23, 2025 - macOS
Mac Says the Disk Is In Use and Won't Eject? How to Fix It
macOS won't eject your external drive because a disk is in use. Quit the app holding it, close open files, log out, or restart to release and eject it safely.
November 19, 2025 - macOS
Notifications Not Showing on Your Mac? How to Fix It
Missing notifications on your Mac are almost always a Focus or Do Not Disturb setting. Here is how to check Focus, your display options, and per-app notification settings.
November 19, 2025 - macOS
How to Find and Delete Large Files on a Mac
Track down the biggest files on your Mac using the built-in Storage settings, sort by size, and remove or offload large media, downloads, and unused apps.
November 15, 2025 - macOS
What Is Purgeable Space on a Mac and How to Reclaim It
Disk Utility shows gigabytes of purgeable space on your Mac. Learn what it is, why you can't delete it directly, and how to force macOS to free it up.
November 11, 2025 - macOS
Can't Empty the Trash on Mac? Fix Locked and In-Use Files
The Trash won't empty because a file is in use or locked. Quit the app, unlock the item in Get Info, use safe mode, then repair the disk with First Aid.
November 7, 2025 - macOS
Text Message Forwarding Not Working? See iPhone SMS on Your Mac
Green-bubble SMS texts show on your iPhone but never reach your Mac or iPad. Set up Text Message Forwarding, match the Apple Account, and fix a device that won't appear in the list.
October 19, 2025 - macOS
Sidecar Not Connecting? Use Your iPad as a Second Display for Your Mac
Your iPad won't connect as a Sidecar display, or it doesn't appear in the menu. Check the requirements, connect over Wi-Fi or USB, and clear the interference that drops it.
October 18, 2025 - macOS
iPhone Mirroring Not Working on Mac? Requirements and Fixes
iPhone Mirroring won't connect, or the option is missing from your Mac. Check the macOS Sequoia requirements, sign in to the same Apple Account, and clear the blockers that stop it.
October 15, 2025 - macOS
Universal Control Not Working Between Mac and iPad? How to Fix It
Your pointer won't cross from Mac to iPad, or the iPad doesn't appear. Check the requirements, enable Universal Control on both, and clear the VPN and firewall blockers.
October 13, 2025 - macOS
Universal Clipboard Not Working? Copy and Paste Between iPhone and Mac
You copy on your iPhone but nothing pastes on your Mac. Check the Universal Clipboard requirements, turn on Handoff, and clear the Continuity blockers that stop it.
October 12, 2025 - macOS
Continuity Camera Not Working? Use iPhone as a Webcam on Mac
Your iPhone won't show up as a camera option on your Mac, or it keeps dropping. Check the requirements, confirm Continuity Camera is on, and clear the blockers that stop it.
October 9, 2025 - macOS
Handoff Not Working Between iPhone and Mac? How to Fix It
No Handoff icon in the Dock or on the Lock Screen, so you can't pick up a task on your other device. Check the requirements, turn Handoff on everywhere, and clear what blocks it.
October 9, 2025 - macOS
AirPlay to Mac or Apple TV Not Working? Requirements and Fixes
Your Mac or Apple TV won't show up in the AirPlay list, or the screen won't mirror. Check the network requirements, turn on the AirPlay receiver, and clear the common blockers.
October 7, 2025 - macOS
AirDrop Not Working Between iPhone and Mac? Requirements and Fixes
Your Mac won't show up in AirDrop, or files won't send to your iPhone. Check the requirements, set who can discover you, and clear the Continuity blockers that stop it.
October 6, 2025 - macOS
Change the Refresh Rate on Your Mac (Including ProMotion)
Set or check the display refresh rate on a MacBook Pro or Apple display, including ProMotion and Adaptive options, using the Refresh Rate menu in System Settings > Displays.
October 2, 2025 - macOS
Mac Screen Looks Yellow or Warm? Turn Night Shift On, Off, or Adjust It
A yellow or warm tint on your Mac is usually Night Shift. Turn it off, change its schedule, or adjust the color temperature in System Settings > Displays > Night Shift.
September 26, 2025 - macOS
Set Up and Arrange an External Display on Your Mac
Connect a second monitor to your Mac, then choose extend or mirror and drag the displays into the right side-by-side or stacked arrangement in System Settings > Displays.
September 20, 2025 - macOS
Text Too Small or Too Big on Your Mac? Change the Resolution and Scaling
Make text and icons larger or smaller on your Mac by changing the display resolution and scaling in System Settings > Displays, including how to show all available resolutions.
September 16, 2025 - macOS
Mac Screen Keeps Auto-Dimming or Brightness Won't Stay Put? Turn Off Auto-Brightness and True Tone
Your Mac dims on its own, changes brightness as the room light shifts, or has a warm tint? Turn off Automatically adjust brightness and True Tone in Settings.
September 12, 2025 - macOS
How to Set Up and Use Dictation on a Mac
Turn on Dictation in System Settings on your Mac, then talk to type in any app. Learn the shortcut to start it, how to speak punctuation, and how to change languages.
September 5, 2025 - macOS
How to Create Your Own Keyboard Shortcuts on a Mac
Assign a custom keyboard shortcut to any app menu command on your Mac using System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > App Shortcuts — and fix shortcuts that won't work.
September 2, 2025 - macOS
How to Type Emoji and Special Characters on a Mac
Insert emoji, accented letters, and symbols on your Mac using the Character Viewer, the Fn/Globe key, or text-to-emoji replacement — no copy-pasting required.
August 30, 2025 - macOS
Mac Mail Search Not Finding Emails: Reindex and Fix Search
Search in the Mail app on your Mac misses emails you know are there. Here is how to widen the search, rebuild the mailbox, and reindex Spotlight so Mail search works again.
August 27, 2025 - macOS
Mac Function Keys (F1-F12) Doing the Wrong Thing? Use Them as Standard Function Keys
Pressing F1-F12 on your Mac changes brightness or volume instead of acting as real function keys. Use the Fn/Globe key, or switch them to standard function keys for good.
August 26, 2025 - macOS
Rebuild a Mailbox in Mac Mail to Fix Missing or Duplicate Emails
Messages look missing, garbled, or duplicated in the Mail app on your Mac. Rebuilding the mailbox re-downloads it from the server and usually clears it up.
August 23, 2025 - macOS
Mac Trackpad Not Working or Pointer Won't Move? Here's the Fix
The pointer won't move when you use your MacBook trackpad. Use one finger, rule out a hidden low-battery alert, and know when the trackpad needs service.
August 22, 2025 - macOS
Mac Keyboard Not Working or Some Keys Not Typing? Fix It Step by Step
Your Mac keyboard stopped responding or a few keys won't type. Rule out Slow Keys, reconnect a wireless or wired keyboard, and keep typing with the Keyboard Viewer.
August 19, 2025 - macOS
Mac Mail Says "Network Account Is Offline": Take Accounts Back Online
Mail on Mac shows "network account is offline" or a lightning bolt next to your inbox, and new mail stops arriving. Here is how to take your accounts back online.
August 19, 2025 - macOS
How to Add a Gmail, Outlook, or Exchange Account to Mail on Mac
Add a Google (Gmail), Microsoft Outlook/Exchange, iCloud, or work email account to the Mail app on your Mac, and turn it on so the inbox shows up.
August 15, 2025 - macOS
Mac Mail Won't Send: "Cannot Send Message Using the Server" Fix
Mac Mail shows cannot send message using the server, or your email sticks in the Outbox. Fix the outgoing SMTP server settings with these steps and send again.
August 12, 2025 - macOS
Time Machine Backup Disk Full? How It Deletes Old Backups and What to Do
Time Machine says the backup disk is full. Learn how it deletes the oldest backups automatically, when to add a larger disk, and how to make backups smaller.
August 2, 2025 - macOS
How to Exclude Items from a Time Machine Backup to Shrink It
Stop Time Machine from backing up large or unneeded folders. Add items to the exclude list in Time Machine settings to make backups smaller and stretch your disk.
July 29, 2025 - macOS
How to Restore Files from a Time Machine Backup on Mac
Recover a deleted or older file from a Time Machine backup. Enter Time Machine, browse back in time, restore items to their original place, or revert a document version.
July 24, 2025 - macOS
Time Machine Couldn't Complete the Backup or Backup Disk Not Available? How to Fix It
Time Machine says it couldn't complete the backup or can't find your backup disk. Check the connection, free up space, repair the disk, and get backups running again.
July 19, 2025 - macOS
How to Set Up a Time Machine Backup on Your Mac
Set up automatic Mac backups with Time Machine: choose a backup disk, turn on encryption, run your first backup, and understand the hourly, daily and weekly schedule.
July 14, 2025 - macOS
Mac Not Detecting an External Display Over USB-C? Make It Show Up
Your USB-C or HDMI monitor stays black or isn't detected by your Mac. Reseat the cable, use Detect Displays, plug into the Mac directly, and check adapter compatibility.
June 24, 2025 - macOS
Safari "Can't Establish a Secure Connection" or "Not Secure" on Mac
Safari says it can't establish a secure connection, or shows a Not Secure warning, on your Mac. What the warning really means and how to safely tell a real problem from a site issue.
June 24, 2025 - macOS
How to Stop Pop-Ups in Safari on Mac
Pop-up ads and windows keep appearing in Safari on your Mac. Block pop-ups per site or everywhere, turn on fraud warnings, and check for adware extensions causing them.
June 20, 2025 - macOS
Printer Not Working on Mac? Add It, Update It, or Reset the Print System
Your printer won't print or won't appear on your Mac. Add it in Printers & Scanners, update the printer software, and reset the printing system as a last resort.
June 19, 2025 - macOS
How to Clear Safari History, Cache, and Website Data on Mac
Clear your Safari browsing history, or remove cache and cookies for one site or all sites on your Mac. Two separate actions — here's exactly which one you need.
June 16, 2025 - macOS
AirPods Won't Connect to Your Mac? Re-pair and Reset Them
Your AirPods won't connect to your Mac or keep switching to your phone. Charge them, update macOS, then re-pair with the case button — or reset as a last resort.
June 14, 2025 - macOS
Safari Running Slow or Freezing on Mac? How to Fix It
Safari is sluggish, beachballing, or freezing on your Mac. Force quit, disable extensions, clear a misbehaving site's data, and test in a Private Window — fastest fixes first.
June 13, 2025 - macOS
Safari "Can't Open the Page" on Mac? Here's How to Fix It
Safari says it can't open a page or can't find the server on your Mac. Work from the simplest checks outward — the URL, content blockers, your network, and Safari itself.
June 10, 2025 - macOS
Magic Mouse, Keyboard or Trackpad Won't Connect to Your Mac? Fix It
Your Magic Mouse, Keyboard or Trackpad won't connect or keeps dropping. Power-cycle it, charge it over cable to re-pair, and turn Bluetooth on even without a mouse.
June 9, 2025 - macOS
Mac Connected to Wi-Fi but No Internet? How to Get Back Online
Your Mac shows full Wi-Fi bars but websites won't load. Renew the DHCP lease, fix the clock, forget and rejoin the network, and run Wireless Diagnostics.
June 4, 2025 - macOS
How to Reset NVRAM and the SMC on a Mac (Apple Silicon vs Intel)
Reset NVRAM and the SMC to fix odd power, display, sound and startup-disk issues. Apple silicon needs neither — here are the exact Intel key combos.
May 25, 2025 - macOS
Startup Disk Full on Mac? How to See What's Using Space and Free It Up
Your Mac warns the startup disk is almost full. See exactly what's using storage, empty the Trash, optimize with iCloud, and clear caches via safe mode.
May 20, 2025 - macOS
macOS Update Stuck or Won't Install? Free Space, Safe Mode and Install from Recovery
A macOS update fails, stalls, or says there isn't enough space. Free storage, try safe mode, and install macOS from Recovery so nothing else can interfere.
May 15, 2025 - macOS
Mac Stuck on the Apple Logo or Progress Bar? Force Restart and Repair the Disk
Your Mac freezes on the Apple logo or a progress bar at startup. Learn when to wait, when to force a restart, and how to repair the disk from macOS Recovery.
May 10, 2025 - macOS
Mac Won't Turn On or Shows a Black Screen? Power-Cycle and Recovery Steps
Your Mac shows nothing, or a black screen. Work through Apple's power, accessory and force-restart checks, then repair the disk from macOS Recovery.
May 6, 2025