Tips, Troubleshooting and How-To Guides for Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, watchOS Users
About Thunderbolt, HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, AirPrint, AirPlay, FaceTime, iCloud, Troubleshooting, more.
Updates: Added info on macOS 14 Sonoma (how to download, bootable installer) & iOS 17/iPadOS 17, Screen Distance,
Apple DIY Repair Manuals and Self-Service Repairs Guide, Apple Service and Repair Costs, Malware, Privacy & Security Settings, Hide My Email, Mail Privacy Protection, macOS Upgrades, Repair Costs.
(Previous Updates: Lossless Audio & Dolby Atmos, AirTag, Rosetta 2, M1/M2 Macs, AirPods, Mac HDR, 2019 Mac Pro Parts Guides,
Private Wi-Fi Address, T2 Mac Firmware Restore, Pro Display XDR, added Security Mitigations info to Security Topics, Apple Arcade Articles,
Aperture migration to Photos or Lightroom Classic, eGPU support, "Metal" supported Macs, updated Apple Privacy topic,
HomePod tips, Secure boot and Startup Security Utility, macOS High Sierra and APFS drive format, Apple TV 4K HDR/Dolby Vision, Tip for Can't boot from external drive in Sierra or later, Touch ID & Face ID, Apple TV topic added doc on Single sign-on, Thunderbolt, HomeKit, Wi-Fi topics updated. Updated Boot Camp, Apple Music, Photos App, Homekit, AppleCare, Apple Watch topics)
For Mac and Apple device owners or anyone wanting to learn more about Apple hardware and software, here is a listing of Apple's How-To articles, Specs, FAQs and Tips for Macs and other Apple devices. Includes guides to troubleshooting problems, backups, restoring or reinstalling Operating systems, and much more.
This page also has links to Apple Tips and Troubleshooting Help on HDMI, Audio, AirPlay, iTunes, Apple TV, CD/DVD sharing, USB, Apple Display Adapters, Mini DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, USB, Firewire, Tips for iOS/iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch and Apple watch users and a list of AirPort Utility and Firmware Updates for Apple WiFi Base Stations and Time Capsules. (Also Tips/Guides on using Boot Camp to run Windows on a Mac.)
Plus important tips on what to do with your personal files/data before selling or donating your Mac or iPhone/iPad, and what to do if your Apple product is lost or stolen (and beforehand).
(Note: Apple has frequently changed article titles, numbers, links and removed or revised articles listed as "Archived, no longer updated". I've kept links to archived articles as they may be useful for older OS X users, but every time I check, more are being removed.
= Topics Menu/Links =
(You can also use Browser's "Find" option to search page for other items/topics.)
Basics & Apps | Printing | WiFi & BlueTooth | Audio/Video | iTunes | Internet/Browsers | Mail | Facetime | AirPlay | AirDrop | AirPods | Apple watch
macOS Security | Backups/Time Machine | HomeSharing | Displays/TV | Apple TV | iCloud | Migrating Files from a Mac/PC | Ports & Adapters
Diagnostics | Troubleshooting | macOS Upgrades | macOS Updates | Reinstall macOS | Startup Problems
Apple Self Service DIY Repairs | Apple Repair Costs | If your Apple device is Lost or Stolen
Apple Pay Setup on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch
- Make purchases using Apple Pay
- Devices compatible with Apple Pay
- Set up Apple Pay on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac
- Change or remove the payment cards that you use with Apple Pay
- If you can't add cards to Apple Wallet to use with Apple Pay
- Learn where to use Apple Pay
- Where you can ride transit with Apple Pay
- Countries and regions that support Apple Pay
- Apple Pay participating banks in Canada, Latin America, and the United States
Apple Wallet articles
- Add a transit card to Apple Wallet
- Use Express Mode with cards, passes, and keys in Apple Wallet
- Add, use, and share boarding passes, tickets, and other passes in Apple Wallet
- How to Remove passes from Apple Wallet
- Add your driver's license or state ID to Apple Wallet
- Add your student ID to Apple Wallet on your iPhone or Apple Watch
- Add your car key to Apple Wallet on your iPhone or Apple Watch
Apple Cash Info
- Set up Apple Cash
- Add money to Apple Cash
- Set up and use Apple Cash Family
- Avoid scams when using Apple Cash
- Send and receive money with Apple Cash
- Apple Cash and person to person payments limits
- Close your Apple Cash account or turn it off on a device
- If your Apple Cash account is restricted or locked
Apple Notes App Help and Tips
- How to use Notes on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
- How to lock or unlock notes on your iPhone or iPad
(iPod touch removed from article in 2022.)
- How to Lock your notes on Mac
- Draw with Notes on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- About Notes drawing migration to iOS 13 and iPadOS
- If you're missing notes on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- If you can't share or collaborate on notes with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
(was titled "Share your notes on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac".)
Apple AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, & Powerbeats Pro Help and Tips
- Apple's AirPods Support page
- About firmware updates for AirPods
- How to update your Beats wireless headphones or earphones
- How to Set up AirPods with your Mac and other Bluetooth devices
- How to Set up AirPods Max with your Mac and other Bluetooth devices
- Choose your AirPods Pro ear tips and use the Ear Tip Fit Test
- Wearing your AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, EarPods, or Beats devices
- Here's information about getting a good fit and potential skin sensitivities.
- Charge your AirPods and learn about battery life
- How to charge your AirPods Max and learn about battery life
- What to do if your AirPods won't charge
- How to Connect your AirPods and AirPods Pro to your iPhone
- How to Connect and use your AirPods Max
- What to do If your AirPods or AirPods Pro won't connect
- If you can't connect to your wireless Beats product
- Change the settings of your AirPods and AirPods Pro
- Customize headphone audio levels on your iPhone or iPad
- Listen with spatial audio for AirPods and Beats
- Announce notifications with Siri on AirPods or Beats
- AirPods Pro and AirPods Max Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode
- If Active Noise Cancellation isn't working as expected on your AirPods Pro
- Use Live Listen with AirPods or Beats
- What to do if your left or right AirPod isn't working
- How to clean your AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and EarPods
- How to reset your AirPods Max
- How to reset your AirPods and AirPods Pro
- How to reset your Beats speakers
- If your AirPods Pro (1st generation) make crackling or static sounds
- Find your lost AirPods with Find My
- How to Set up your replacement AirPods or charging case
(was titled "Replace an AirPod or charging case")
- Find your lost Powerbeats Pro, Beats Studio Buds, Beats Studio Buds +, or Beats Fit Pro
- Beats Repair and Service
- AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues
-"Affected units were manufactured before October 2020." (See link for details.)
AppleCare and Warranty Help
AirTag Info, Setup and Tips
- Set up your AirTag using your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- Find your keys, backpack, and more with AirTag
- Precision Finding uses Ultra Wideband, which is not available in all countries or regions.
- Learn more about Ultra Wideband availability.
- Locate an AirTag or other item in Find My on iPhone
- What to do if a personal item or AirTag is connected to another Apple ID
- What to do if you get an alert that an AirTag, Find My network accessory, or set of AirPods is with you
- Keep track of personal items using Find My (and AirTag)
"Starting in iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, and macOS Big Sur 11.1,
you can keep track of personal items with an attached AirTag
and compatible third-party products in the Items tab of the Find My app."
- How to reset your AirTag
- How to replace the battery in your AirTag
Forgot Your Passcode for iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch?
Setup Find My on Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch
What to Do If your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, or Mac is Lost or Stolen
iPad & iPhone Activation, Unlocking and Carrier Settings Updates
Before Selling or Giving Away your Mac or iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch
Apple DIY Repair Manuals
Apple Service and Repair Costs
What to Do Before Sending your Mac or iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch in for Repair
How to Check the Status of an Apple Repair or Problem Report
Cleaning your Mac, Display, Keyboard, iPhone, iPad, Watch, HomePod, or Apple accessory
- Apple's article on How to clean your Apple products
- Laptops, Desktops, iPhones, iPads, iPods, monitors and peripherals.
(Now has a note "Is it OK to use a disinfectant on my Apple product?")
- How to clean the keyboard of your MacBook or MacBook Pro
- How to clean the nano-texture glass on your Apple display
- How to Clean your iPhone
(includes notes on using a disinfectant.)
- How to clean your Apple Watch
- Cleaning and taking care of HomePod
- How to clean your AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and EarPods
- About splash, water, and dust resistance of iPhone 7 and later
(Reminder: Water & other liquid damage to iPhone or iPod isn't covered by warranty - see Indicators)
- If you see a liquid-detection alert on your iPhone
Other Resources
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