Support directory
Mac problems, from connection checks to system boundaries.
Begin with the exact device, symptom and connection. These records separate service outages, home-network failures, device software and app sessions before any destructive step.
AirDrop is not working between a Mac and iPhone
Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices, put them nearby, open AirDrop on the Mac and make the receiver discoverable, then restart both devices. Confirm Contacts Only has matching Apple Account contact details.
Open record Mac · ContinuityApple Handoff and Continuity behaves incorrectly or produces the wrong result
A wrong result requires checking inputs, mode, calibration and output separately; a working control path can still be configured for the wrong state. This record isolates Apple Handoff and Continuity through Apple Account and feature eligibility versus Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and app support.
Open record Mac · ContinuityApple Handoff and Continuity is not working
A complete failure should be separated into power or eligibility, the external path, and the component itself before any reset. This record isolates Apple Handoff and Continuity through Apple Account and feature eligibility versus Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and app support.
Open record Mac · ContinuityApple Handoff and Continuity is unusually slow or delayed
A delay can come from capacity, weak signal, background work, protection or a service wait; measuring the exact stage prevents the wrong repair. This record isolates Apple Handoff and Continuity through Apple Account and feature eligibility versus Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and app support.
Open record Mac · ContinuityApple Handoff and Continuity keeps disconnecting or working intermittently
Intermittent behavior is diagnosed by the trigger—movement, heat, load, sleep, distance or time—not by repeating broad resets. This record isolates Apple Handoff and Continuity through Apple Account and feature eligibility versus Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and app support.
Open record Mac · ContinuityApple Handoff and Continuity stopped working after an update, outage or hardware change
A failure immediately after a known change should be checked for new defaults, stale pairing, power sequencing or compatibility before factory recovery. This record isolates Apple Handoff and Continuity through Apple Account and feature eligibility versus Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and app support.
Open record Mac · ContinuityApple Handoff and Continuity works in one app, account or port but not another
When a computer function works in another app, user account or port, keep the repair inside the failing context. This record isolates Apple Handoff and Continuity through Apple Account and feature eligibility versus Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and app support.
Open record Mac · window placementMac app window opens off screen
A window can remain positioned for a disconnected monitor. macOS window commands, display arrangement and temporarily changing resolution can bring it back without deleting app preferences.
Open record Mac · PrinterMac cannot find a Wi-Fi printer
Confirm the printer and Mac are on the same Wi-Fi, resolve any printer display error, then add it from System Settings › Printers & Scanners. Prefer AirPrint when the printer supports it; reset the Mac printing system only as a last resort.
Open record Mac · DisplayMac does not detect an external display
Verify how many displays the exact Mac supports, reconnect power and the cable, choose the correct display input, then use Displays settings to detect or arrange it. Test a direct compatible cable before a dock or adapter.
Open record Mac · iCloud DriveMac iCloud Drive sync behaves incorrectly or produces the wrong result
A wrong result requires checking inputs, mode, calibration and output separately; a working control path can still be configured for the wrong state. This record isolates Mac iCloud Drive sync through cloud capacity/account versus local storage, network and optimization state.
Open record Mac · iCloud DriveMac iCloud Drive sync is not working
A complete failure should be separated into power or eligibility, the external path, and the component itself before any reset. This record isolates Mac iCloud Drive sync through cloud capacity/account versus local storage, network and optimization state.
Open record Mac · iCloud DriveMac iCloud Drive sync is unusually slow or delayed
A delay can come from capacity, weak signal, background work, protection or a service wait; measuring the exact stage prevents the wrong repair. This record isolates Mac iCloud Drive sync through cloud capacity/account versus local storage, network and optimization state.
Open record Mac · iCloud DriveMac iCloud Drive sync keeps disconnecting or working intermittently
Intermittent behavior is diagnosed by the trigger—movement, heat, load, sleep, distance or time—not by repeating broad resets. This record isolates Mac iCloud Drive sync through cloud capacity/account versus local storage, network and optimization state.
Open record Mac · iCloud DriveMac iCloud Drive sync stopped working after an update, outage or hardware change
A failure immediately after a known change should be checked for new defaults, stale pairing, power sequencing or compatibility before factory recovery. This record isolates Mac iCloud Drive sync through cloud capacity/account versus local storage, network and optimization state.
Open record Mac · iCloud DriveMac iCloud Drive sync works in one app, account or port but not another
When a computer function works in another app, user account or port, keep the repair inside the failing context. This record isolates Mac iCloud Drive sync through cloud capacity/account versus local storage, network and optimization state.
Open record Mac · Wi-FiMac is connected to Wi-Fi but the internet does not work
Check the same network on another device, turn Wi-Fi off and on, restart the Mac and router, then run Wireless Diagnostics. Forget the network or change TCP/IP/DNS settings only after recording the current configuration.
Open record Mac · searchMac Spotlight search index behaves incorrectly or produces the wrong result
A wrong result requires checking inputs, mode, calibration and output separately; a working control path can still be configured for the wrong state. This record isolates Mac Spotlight search index through indexing progress versus excluded locations, external drives and filesystem health.
Open record Mac · searchMac Spotlight search index is not working
A complete failure should be separated into power or eligibility, the external path, and the component itself before any reset. This record isolates Mac Spotlight search index through indexing progress versus excluded locations, external drives and filesystem health.
Open record Mac · searchMac Spotlight search index is unusually slow or delayed
A delay can come from capacity, weak signal, background work, protection or a service wait; measuring the exact stage prevents the wrong repair. This record isolates Mac Spotlight search index through indexing progress versus excluded locations, external drives and filesystem health.
Open record Mac · searchMac Spotlight search index keeps disconnecting or working intermittently
Intermittent behavior is diagnosed by the trigger—movement, heat, load, sleep, distance or time—not by repeating broad resets. This record isolates Mac Spotlight search index through indexing progress versus excluded locations, external drives and filesystem health.
Open record Mac · searchMac Spotlight search index stopped working after an update, outage or hardware change
A failure immediately after a known change should be checked for new defaults, stale pairing, power sequencing or compatibility before factory recovery. This record isolates Mac Spotlight search index through indexing progress versus excluded locations, external drives and filesystem health.
Open record Mac · searchMac Spotlight search index works in one app, account or port but not another
When a computer function works in another app, user account or port, keep the repair inside the failing context. This record isolates Mac Spotlight search index through indexing progress versus excluded locations, external drives and filesystem health.
Open record Mac · startupMac startup disk behaves incorrectly or produces the wrong result
A wrong result requires checking inputs, mode, calibration and output separately; a working control path can still be configured for the wrong state. This record isolates Mac startup disk through drive visibility versus macOS volume, encryption and boot policy.
Open record Mac · startupMac startup disk is not working
A complete failure should be separated into power or eligibility, the external path, and the component itself before any reset. This record isolates Mac startup disk through drive visibility versus macOS volume, encryption and boot policy.
Open record Mac · startupMac startup disk is unusually slow or delayed
A delay can come from capacity, weak signal, background work, protection or a service wait; measuring the exact stage prevents the wrong repair. This record isolates Mac startup disk through drive visibility versus macOS volume, encryption and boot policy.
Open record Mac · startupMac startup disk keeps disconnecting or working intermittently
Intermittent behavior is diagnosed by the trigger—movement, heat, load, sleep, distance or time—not by repeating broad resets. This record isolates Mac startup disk through drive visibility versus macOS volume, encryption and boot policy.
Open record Mac · startupMac startup disk stopped working after an update, outage or hardware change
A failure immediately after a known change should be checked for new defaults, stale pairing, power sequencing or compatibility before factory recovery. This record isolates Mac startup disk through drive visibility versus macOS volume, encryption and boot policy.
Open record Mac · startupMac startup disk works in one app, account or port but not another
When a computer function works in another app, user account or port, keep the repair inside the failing context. This record isolates Mac startup disk through drive visibility versus macOS volume, encryption and boot policy.
Open record Mac · storageMac System Data uses too much storage
System Data can include caches, logs, local snapshots, device backups and support files. Identify the category and backup state before deleting hidden folders.
Open record Mac · ThunderboltMac Thunderbolt display connection behaves incorrectly or produces the wrong result
A wrong result requires checking inputs, mode, calibration and output separately; a working control path can still be configured for the wrong state. This record isolates Mac Thunderbolt display connection through display input versus cable, dock, port capability, resolution and macOS.
Open record Mac · ThunderboltMac Thunderbolt display connection is not working
A complete failure should be separated into power or eligibility, the external path, and the component itself before any reset. This record isolates Mac Thunderbolt display connection through display input versus cable, dock, port capability, resolution and macOS.
Open record Mac · ThunderboltMac Thunderbolt display connection is unusually slow or delayed
A delay can come from capacity, weak signal, background work, protection or a service wait; measuring the exact stage prevents the wrong repair. This record isolates Mac Thunderbolt display connection through display input versus cable, dock, port capability, resolution and macOS.
Open record Mac · ThunderboltMac Thunderbolt display connection keeps disconnecting or working intermittently
Intermittent behavior is diagnosed by the trigger—movement, heat, load, sleep, distance or time—not by repeating broad resets. This record isolates Mac Thunderbolt display connection through display input versus cable, dock, port capability, resolution and macOS.
Open record Mac · ThunderboltMac Thunderbolt display connection stopped working after an update, outage or hardware change
A failure immediately after a known change should be checked for new defaults, stale pairing, power sequencing or compatibility before factory recovery. This record isolates Mac Thunderbolt display connection through display input versus cable, dock, port capability, resolution and macOS.
Open record Mac · ThunderboltMac Thunderbolt display connection works in one app, account or port but not another
When a computer function works in another app, user account or port, keep the repair inside the failing context. This record isolates Mac Thunderbolt display connection through display input versus cable, dock, port capability, resolution and macOS.
Open record Mac · backupMac Time Machine backup behaves incorrectly or produces the wrong result
A wrong result requires checking inputs, mode, calibration and output separately; a working control path can still be configured for the wrong state. This record isolates Mac Time Machine backup through destination disk/network versus source errors, encryption, permissions and space.
Open record Mac · backupMac Time Machine backup is not working
A complete failure should be separated into power or eligibility, the external path, and the component itself before any reset. This record isolates Mac Time Machine backup through destination disk/network versus source errors, encryption, permissions and space.
Open record Mac · backupMac Time Machine backup is unusually slow or delayed
A delay can come from capacity, weak signal, background work, protection or a service wait; measuring the exact stage prevents the wrong repair. This record isolates Mac Time Machine backup through destination disk/network versus source errors, encryption, permissions and space.
Open record Mac · backupMac Time Machine backup keeps disconnecting or working intermittently
Intermittent behavior is diagnosed by the trigger—movement, heat, load, sleep, distance or time—not by repeating broad resets. This record isolates Mac Time Machine backup through destination disk/network versus source errors, encryption, permissions and space.
Open record Mac · backupMac Time Machine backup stopped working after an update, outage or hardware change
A failure immediately after a known change should be checked for new defaults, stale pairing, power sequencing or compatibility before factory recovery. This record isolates Mac Time Machine backup through destination disk/network versus source errors, encryption, permissions and space.
Open record Mac · backupMac Time Machine backup works in one app, account or port but not another
When a computer function works in another app, user account or port, keep the repair inside the failing context. This record isolates Mac Time Machine backup through destination disk/network versus source errors, encryption, permissions and space.
Open record Mac · stabilityMac unexpected restart or kernel panic behaves incorrectly or produces the wrong result
A wrong result requires checking inputs, mode, calibration and output separately; a working control path can still be configured for the wrong state. This record isolates Mac unexpected restart or kernel panic through third-party extension/peripheral versus macOS, memory, storage and logic board.
Open record Mac · stabilityMac unexpected restart or kernel panic is not working
A complete failure should be separated into power or eligibility, the external path, and the component itself before any reset. This record isolates Mac unexpected restart or kernel panic through third-party extension/peripheral versus macOS, memory, storage and logic board.
Open record Mac · stabilityMac unexpected restart or kernel panic is unusually slow or delayed
A delay can come from capacity, weak signal, background work, protection or a service wait; measuring the exact stage prevents the wrong repair. This record isolates Mac unexpected restart or kernel panic through third-party extension/peripheral versus macOS, memory, storage and logic board.
Open record Mac · stabilityMac unexpected restart or kernel panic keeps disconnecting or working intermittently
Intermittent behavior is diagnosed by the trigger—movement, heat, load, sleep, distance or time—not by repeating broad resets. This record isolates Mac unexpected restart or kernel panic through third-party extension/peripheral versus macOS, memory, storage and logic board.
Open record Mac · stabilityMac unexpected restart or kernel panic stopped working after an update, outage or hardware change
A failure immediately after a known change should be checked for new defaults, stale pairing, power sequencing or compatibility before factory recovery. This record isolates Mac unexpected restart or kernel panic through third-party extension/peripheral versus macOS, memory, storage and logic board.
Open record Mac · stabilityMac unexpected restart or kernel panic works in one app, account or port but not another
When a computer function works in another app, user account or port, keep the repair inside the failing context. This record isolates Mac unexpected restart or kernel panic through third-party extension/peripheral versus macOS, memory, storage and logic board.
Open record Mac · sign-inMac will not accept the password after an update
After an update, the login screen may expect the local Mac password while users enter an Apple Account password, or the keyboard layout/FileVault state may differ. Verify the account and input before recovery.
Open record MacBook · batteryMacBook battery condition behaves incorrectly or produces the wrong result
A wrong result requires checking inputs, mode, calibration and output separately; a working control path can still be configured for the wrong state. This record isolates MacBook battery condition through normal aging versus charger, workload, temperature and battery hardware.
Open record MacBook · batteryMacBook battery condition is not working
A complete failure should be separated into power or eligibility, the external path, and the component itself before any reset. This record isolates MacBook battery condition through normal aging versus charger, workload, temperature and battery hardware.
Open record MacBook · batteryMacBook battery condition is unusually slow or delayed
A delay can come from capacity, weak signal, background work, protection or a service wait; measuring the exact stage prevents the wrong repair. This record isolates MacBook battery condition through normal aging versus charger, workload, temperature and battery hardware.
Open record MacBook · batteryMacBook battery condition keeps disconnecting or working intermittently
Intermittent behavior is diagnosed by the trigger—movement, heat, load, sleep, distance or time—not by repeating broad resets. This record isolates MacBook battery condition through normal aging versus charger, workload, temperature and battery hardware.
Open record MacBook · batteryMacBook battery condition stopped working after an update, outage or hardware change
A failure immediately after a known change should be checked for new defaults, stale pairing, power sequencing or compatibility before factory recovery. This record isolates MacBook battery condition through normal aging versus charger, workload, temperature and battery hardware.
Open record MacBook · batteryMacBook battery condition works in one app, account or port but not another
When a computer function works in another app, user account or port, keep the repair inside the failing context. This record isolates MacBook battery condition through normal aging versus charger, workload, temperature and battery hardware.
Open record Mac · temperatureMacBook fan runs constantly or very loudly
A sustained fan usually follows CPU/GPU load, charging, blocked airflow, room heat or a process stuck in the background. Use Activity Monitor before force-quitting broadly.
Open record Mac · privacyMacOS app privacy permissions behaves incorrectly or produces the wrong result
A wrong result requires checking inputs, mode, calibration and output separately; a working control path can still be configured for the wrong state. This record isolates macOS app privacy permissions through system permission versus app selection, managed policy and relaunch requirement.
Open record Mac · privacyMacOS app privacy permissions is not working
A complete failure should be separated into power or eligibility, the external path, and the component itself before any reset. This record isolates macOS app privacy permissions through system permission versus app selection, managed policy and relaunch requirement.
Open record Mac · privacyMacOS app privacy permissions is unusually slow or delayed
A delay can come from capacity, weak signal, background work, protection or a service wait; measuring the exact stage prevents the wrong repair. This record isolates macOS app privacy permissions through system permission versus app selection, managed policy and relaunch requirement.
Open record Mac · privacyMacOS app privacy permissions keeps disconnecting or working intermittently
Intermittent behavior is diagnosed by the trigger—movement, heat, load, sleep, distance or time—not by repeating broad resets. This record isolates macOS app privacy permissions through system permission versus app selection, managed policy and relaunch requirement.
Open recordStructured depth, not empty permutations
Every published record carries a direct answer, scope, ordered fixes, risk notes and sources.
Device and manufacturer hubs share a consistent record system, but each answer carries the relevant controls, fault boundaries, consequences and official support entry point for that platform.
See the publication gate