Probable Problem Solving for macOS Devices

Problem: System Info Check and Sign Out the Apple ID

Graphical View:

Method-01: 

Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click General in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.) Click About, then click System Report.

Method-02: 

Apple icon Upper tab => About This Mac => View the system info in different tab + System report. 

Terminal View:

$ system_profiler -listDataTypes

$ system_profiler SPSoftwareDataType SPHardwareDataType

Or

$ hostinfo

$uname

Problem: System ON/OFF

Sudo shutdown -r now (restart)

Sudo shutdown -h  now

Sudo shutdown -h +10 (poweroff)

Sudo shutdown -h 15:00 

Sudo shutdown -s now (sleep)

=> Manually By Keyboard Option-

For an immediate restart, press and hold the "Control + Command + Power buttons" at the same time.

or

press and hold the "Control + Power buttons" at the same time.

Problem: How to Reset Siri and Apple Intelligence iOS 18.0

Procedure:

1. Settings >Action Button > Check-Out "Apple Intelligence" > Talk to Siri > Toggle Off

2. again Press the side button on for Siri > Click on "Hey Siri"

3. "Apple Intelligence" Allow

Problem: Search Bar on Screen (Spotlight Search)

Command+spacebar in short command.

Problem: Permanently Delete Files

command()+option(alt)+delete for permanently removing the files.

command()+delete files move to trash.

Problem: MacOS Recovery Partition

Restart mac => press (command+R) until showing the apple logo while starting mac => showing macOS recovery window and click Utilities from upper tab => Click terminal => Open-up terminal

Problem: How to enable Root User (System administrator) on MacOS

=> Initially, root user disable by system, and It is defined as System Administrator by MacOS.

$su -l root

=> find more info, read /etc/passwd file  total information for root user of MacOS PC/Laptop

$cat /etc/passwd

=>edit the root password by below this command -

$sudo passwd root

New password:

Retype new password:

=> Login Root user GUI mode

Problem: MacOS Sudoers Files

=> file name /etc/sudoers from root user (system administrator)

#vim /etc/sudoers

……………………………..

……………………………..

:wq!

=> write the user name below the root in the sudoers file.

user ALL=(ALL) ALL

Problem: Third Party Software Installation/Uninstallation

Method-01: Allow 3rd Party Software

$sudo spctl –master-disable (if permission denied showing)

Restart mac => press (command+R) until showing the apple logo while starting mac => showing macOS recovery window and click Utilities from upper tab => Click terminal => Open-up terminal

$csrutil disable ( system integrity protection - disable)

$sudo shutdown -r now

Open Terminal from Spotlight of mac

$csrutil status

$sudo spctl –master-disable 

Method-02: for firewall issue

Check firewall and allow by pressing Open Anyway button.

$sudo spctl --master-disable

$sudo spctl --master-enable (again problem will be showing)

Problem: How to Install / Uninstall Software

Method-01: From AppStore for Free / Paid Apps

=> Click on Get option for an Application

=> following the next step

Method-02: From .dmg (Disk Image) / .pkg file

=> Double click on the .dmg/.pkg files of the application.

=> Drag the software.app files to the Applications into the Finder window.

Problem: How to add Extension Safari on MacOS

=> Go to AppStore

=> Search SaveForm.net extension named meddlemonkey

=> Click on Get Option

=> Next click on Open

=> Command+Q => (Quit the Safari)

Problem: How to add Extension Chrome on MacOS

Problem: How to add extension OrangeMonkey for Chrome in Windows PC

Problem: How to Change the Hostname GUI mode on MACOS

GUI Configure:

=> Click on Apple icon Upper Tab => System Preference => Sharing => Change Computer name => Click on Edit.

Check from Terminal:

$ hostname

$ echo $HOSTNAME

Terminal Configure:

Change Primary Hostname: 

$ sudo scutil --set HostName “KSRM’s Macbook Air”

Change Computer Name: 

sudo scutil --set ComputerName <new_name>.

Change Local Hostname: 

$ sudo scutil --set LocalHostName KSRMIT-MACBOOKAIR

Problem: How to Remote Management ON/OFF 

=> System Preferences => Sharing => Remote Management service => Check Mark for ON

=> Allow Access for Specific users

Problem: How to Enable Virtualization on MacBook Bootcamp Assistant

Problem: How to check VT-x (CPU Hardware Virtualization) status on MacBook macOS

$ sysctl -a | less

$ sysctl -a | grep machdep.cpu.features

machdep.cpu.features: FPU VME DE PSE TSC MSR PAE MCE CX8 APIC SEP MTRR PGE MCA CMOV PAT PSE36 CLFSH DS ACPI MMX FXSR SSE SSE2 SS HTT TM PBE SSE3 PCLMULQDQ DTES64 MON DSCPL VMX EST TM2 SSSE3 FMA CX16 TPR PDCM SSE4.1 SSE4.2 x2APIC MOVBE POPCNT AES PCID XSAVE OSXSAVE SEGLIM64 TSCTMR AVX1.0 RDRAND F16C

$ sysctl -a | grep -o VMX

VMX

Problem: Manage to Clear Cache in Safari on MAC

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/safari/sfri11471/18.0/mac/15.0 

Method-01

1. Go to the Safari app  on your Mac.

2. Choose Safari > Settings, then click Privacy.

3. Click Manage Website Data.

4. Select one or more websites, then click Remove or Remove All.

Method-02:

1. Open Safari and go to Safari Settings (Command-Comma)

2. Go to the Advanced tab and select the checkbox next to the "Show Develop menu"/

3. Click on Develop from Upper task bar => Empty Caches

4. Restart Mac.

Problem: Remove system temp files

1. Quit or close any open and active apps. To make sure this is done, Force Quit anything that hasn't closed properly. Anything that needs to be closed that way might benefit from a cache clearout.

2. Go to the Finder.

3. Press down the Shift+Command+G keys to pull down the Go to Folder menu.

4. Type ~/Library/Caches/ and press Return.

Problem: Safe Mode on Mac

https://support.apple.com/en-us/116946 

Method-01:

1. Restart the Mac and press down Shift Key until loading macOS and login the user

2. Go to System Info => Click on Software => Boot Mode: Safe

Method-02:

1. Shutdown the Mac => Boot Again & Hold down Power button until Loading the MacOS and release the power Button. 

2.  

Problem: Command(⌘)+R for macOS Recovery Not Working: Fixing the issue with Multiple Probable Ways

A beautiful practical Scenario, I will be explain here - 

I'm working with the honorable DMD of an reputed group of company. Among these tasks, once was Factory Reset the iMac 27 Inch Late 2012. The matter of fact is that you don't have any Admin Privilege UserID and Password of Mac PC. But have to fulfill the requirement. As you think to hear me that this is not hard task just factory reset and you must say its ease to complete the task properly. But the scenario might be different, given the ultimate solution -

When a Macbook Air/Pro or iMac/iMac pro (macOS)  device will be perform the factory reset setting and you will have options according to the macOS device's form factor.

• Internet Recovery Mode
• Reinstall Original macOS
• Install macOS Option and so on

Now your choice, how will you perform according to all your requirements and I will give some apple official reference. 

Start up your Intel-based Mac in macOS Recovery (choose another option)

1. Use Option + Command + R (Internet Recovery Mode)

Shut down your Mac => Power ON and immediately press and hold "Option + Command + R" until a spinning globe or Apple logo appears => In Recovery mode, follow the steps to open Terminal and use the command "resetpassword."

2. Shift + Command + Option + R (Reinstall Original macOS)

First, shut down your Mac=> power ON and immediately press "Shift + Command + Option + R" until a spinning globe or Apple logo appears.

If the above steps are not performed and Command+R not working follow the steps below(one step not execute follow another one) -

1. Reset NVRAM/PRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory)

Turn off your Mac => Turn ON and press & hold ``Option (⌥) + Command (⌘) + P + R`` for about 20 seconds before releasing => Mac might appear to restart. For example, you might hear a startup sound more than once, or see the Apple logo more than once => Mac Startup Option will be appear. 

for the Macbook - 

Turn off your Mac => Turn ON and press & hold ``Shift + Command (⌘) + P + R`` for about 20 seconds before releasing => Mac might attempt 2 chimps and release the keys and might be see the Apple logo. 

2. To Reset the SMC(White Screen of Death recover tool) -

Its common for all mac that unplug the power cord for 15 to 20 Seconds and re-plug in, wait for 5 seconds more. 

For Laptop computer with the T2 chip, 

Shut down your Mac => Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, then release the button => Mac power button or Macbook have Touch ID, press and hold Touch ID => Wait a few seconds, again press the power button to turn on your Mac.

For laptops without the T2 CHIP,

Shut down your Mac => press and hold Shift+Control(^)+Option(Alt)(⌥) Keys on the left side of your keyboard => press and hold the power button as well and Keep holding all four keys for 10 seconds. => Release all keys, then press the power button to turn on your Mac.

Here's how to reset the SMC (Intel models only):

Shut down your Mac => press and hold Control+Option(⌥) both are left side of keyboard and Shift  on the right side of your keyboard => Keep holding all three keys for 7 seconds, then press and hold the power button as well. If your Mac is on, it will turn off as you hold the keys.=> Keep holding all four keys for another 7 seconds, then release them.=>Wait a few seconds, then press the power button to turn on your Mac.

3. Option Key (Boot to Startup Manager)

This allows you to select the disk from which to boot, including recovery disks or external drives.

Shut down your Mac =>Power ON & hold the Option (⌥) key until you see a screen displaying all available boot drives, including "Recovery."

4. Shift Key (Safe Mode)

This mode loads only essential software and may allow access if a normal boot fails. 

Shut down Mac => Turn ON and immediately press and hold the Shift key. Continue holding until you see the login window.

5. Create a Bootable USB Drive (If you have another Mac available)

• Bootable from Windows devices
• Bootable from MacOS devices

# Boot the UFD (USB FLASH DRIVE) by Windows PC by following Steps -

1. Download the TransMac Software for booting macOS into the USB TransMac_For_Windows
2. Download the macOS file as .dmg extension. Official_macOS or macOS-X-images
3. Extract the masOS by TransMac software into the USB & It will not showing by windows PC due to not supporting issue. But remember it will be visible as removal drive in the windows PC. 
4. Boot with this Pendrive by connecting with the USB port of macOS device and Press Option(ALT) Key for Boot manager.
5. Press the Options button for showing MacOS Recovery Mode.
6. Click on Disk Utility for HDD information as, formatting/Partitioning(APFS or Macintose Extendend-Journaled or exFAT)/First Aid for disk treatment/Mount or Unmount etc.
7. Restart and Click on Install macOS Sequoia.
8. Following the next steps for completing installation. 

# Boot the UFD (USB FLASH DRIVE) by macOS PC by following Steps -

1. Need a Running macOS Device and making Bootable Pendrive as exFAT format.
2. Download the macOS Sequoia from Apps Store.
3. Following steps -Terminal code:

macOS Sequoia: 

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sequoia.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/boot

macOS Sonoma: 

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sonoma.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/boot

macOS Ventura: 

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Ventura.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/boot

macOS Monterey: 

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/boot

macOS Big Sur: 

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Big\ Sur.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/boot

OR

Graphical Explanation this following code by segregation into two parts-

One Part: Applications/Install\macOS\ Big\Sur.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia

1. Click on Applications from Left side navigation bar and double click on Install macOS Sequoia

2. Go to Contents/Resources dir and finding Createinstallmedia file.

3. You may open this path into the terminal by drag & drop -

 

Second Part: --volume /Volumes/boot

1. type --volume

2. Select the UFD, go to menu bar and Click on GO button. Click on Go to Folders. 

3. Drag and Drop on the Terminal as Code.

4. Finally, After running the below process and Ready for Bootable macOS installation. 

N:B: Remaining steps are same, mentioning above.

Problem: How to recover from the Black/White Screen of Death when booting a Mac

When your Mac shows a black or white screen of death on boot (no Apple logo, login screen, or progress bar), it usually means there’s an issue with Hardware, Software (macOS corruption), or startup settings. You can often recover it yourself with the following step-by-step troubleshooting guide

Hardware Problem solving -

//Disconnect all external devices

Internal HDD failure, Remove USB drives, external monitors, printers, etc. — faulty peripherals can block startup.

//Force shut down and restart

Hold the Power button for 10 seconds until the Mac turns off. Wait 10 seconds, then press Power again.

//Check display brightness

If you’re on a MacBook, increase brightness — sometimes it’s just dimmed.

//Test with an external monitor

Connect to another display to rule out a screen or GPU issue.

//WiFi Module failure

 Some late 2012 iMacs have had a specific issue where the Wi-Fi module failure results in a white screen at startup. 

Software Problem Solving -

//Resetting PRAM/NVRAM for Intel Mac

Its related with the resets display, resolution, and startup settings.

//Reset the SMC (System Management Control)  for Intel Mac

If the battery or power related  issue might be solved by it.

//Boot into macOS Recovery

This allows you to repair or reinstall macOS.

On Intel Macs:

Turn off your Mac.> Turn it on and immediately hold Command + R until you see the Apple logo or spinning globe.

On Apple Silicon Macs:

Press and hold Power until “Loading startup options” appears. > Click Options → Continue.

Once in Recovery:

Open Disk Utility → First Aid → Run on your startup disk. > If errors are found and fixed, restart. 

N:B: If not, proceed to reinstall macOS.

PROBLEM: IS THAT POSSIBLE TO DEPLOY TIME MACHINE (TM) DATA BACKUP OF MACOS TAHOE (UPGRADE) INTO THE MACOS SEQUOIA(DOWNGRADE) OR VICE VERSA?

ANSWER: NO, if you upgrade TM backup data restored into the Downgrade macOS device. Because Apple does not allow restoring backup contains system files, app versions, and settings that are incompatible with the older OS.

Alternatively, YES, you may Restore the Upgrade macOS TM backup files into the downgrade macOS device. How you would perform, let the know first .

1. Recover your Time Machine Back up from before the update (Existing macOS).

2. Upgrade the macOS devices.

3. Deploy the TM Backup data files after the Upgrading macOS device.

Details-01: step-by-step guide to make a Time Machine backup on Existing macOS on Ex-HDD.

a) Prepare for Backup HDD/SSD(USB-A/C type)

b) Format this Disk as APFS or legacy file system: 

Disk Utility=>Select Disk=>Erase=>Continue

c) Connect the Disk as TIME MACHINE(TM).

Apple Menu => System Preferences => General => Time Machine => Add Backup Disk => Select Disk => Setup Disk. 

d) Perform Backup manually once and Verified.

DETAILS -02: For Example, You going to upgrade mac Tahoe from macOS Sequoia. Following steps are -

a) Check your system specifications and present status as -

Apple Menu=> About the Mac

b) Two way upgrade macOS Tahoe, by bootable or Upgrade manually -

System Preferences => General => Software Update => Click on "Upgrade Now"

c) Check the Upgrade macOS info -

System Preferences => General => About the MAC

d) Check from the Spotlight search => Disk Utility

Details-03: Deploy the Backup Data from TM to macOS Machine.

=> Transfer the TM Backup data by Two process - 

        i. macOS Recovery => Restore from the Time Machine.

        ii. from the "Migration Assistant" processes are -

            a) Select From a Mac, TM or Startup Disk

           b) Select the Backup and Press continue

         c) after finishing the total calculation by system, press                       continue

       d) Set Password and enter a secure password. Remember                  this password. 

            e) Finally, Migrated all files from TM, press Done

            F) Finally, Checked your system and comparing with all.

Probable Solution: Prevent Rapid Battery Drain after Updating macOS Tahoe

1. Check Activity Monitor for Resources Hogs :

• Spotlight Search => Activity monitor.app

2. Disable Unused Startup apps :

• System settings => General => Login Items & Extensions => Open at Login => Minus Unwanted apps

3. Turn Off Background App refresh : 

• System settings => General => Login Items & Extensions => App Background activity (Check or Uncheck)

4. Reduce Motion / Transparency : 

• System Settings => Accessibility => Motion => Reduce Motion (Uncheck/Check)
• System Settings => Accessibility => Display => Reduce Transparency (Uncheck/Check)

5. Update All Apps :

• From Apps store.app => update all apps

6. Lock Screen Sleep timer :

7. Appearance Settings :

8. Battery Settings :

• Low Power Mode - Always
• Battery health - 
• Optimized Battery -(Check/Uncheck)

9. ~/Library/Caches,  following this path clear all contents except the directories.

10. /Library/Caches,  following this path clear all contents except the directories.

Terminal Command Cheat Sheet for macOS Devices (Collected)-

Navigating the File System -

Working with Files -

System Monitoring & Management -

Network Utilities -

File Permission -

Miscellaneous Command -

1. dscl (Directory Service Command Line) Utility -

Example -

     a) dscl . -list /Users | grep -v "^_"

     b) dscl . -delete /Users/<username>

     c) sudo dscl . -passwd /Users/<username> <new_password>

2. Summary of Steps to Fix User Permission Issues with SIP Disabled -

        a) Disabled System Integrity Protection (SIP): 

               $csrutil disable

               $csrutil status

        b) Removed all "user immutable" lock flags (uchg): 

               $sudo chflags -R nouchg /Users/xxxxx

        c) Forcefully reassigned ownership: 

                $sudo chown -R belemchan:staff /Users/xxxxx 

        d) Files permissions: 

                $sudo chmod -R 755 /Users/xxxxx

        e) Restart Mac: 

                $ sudo shutdown -r now