Skip to content
Thoughtful, detailed coverage of everything Apple for 36 years
and the TidBITS Content Network for Apple professionals

Category: Mac & macOS

Adam Engst 4 comments

CCATP Podcast Explains the macOS Sequoia Beta’s Excessive Permission Requests

On the Chit Chat Across the Pond podcast, Adam Engst explains why the macOS 15 Sequoia beta’s monthly check-ins on screen recording permissions are not only unnecessary but actively harmful.

Adam Engst 6 comments

Do You Use It? Moderate Usage of iPhone Apps on M-Series Macs

The results of our poll asking readers how often they use iPhone or iPad apps on an Apple silicon Mac show that roughly half don’t do it at all, but the other half appreciate the capability. If you didn’t realize you could do this, give it a try!

Adam Engst 10 comments

Apple Reduces Excessive Sequoia Permission Requests, Shifts to Monthly

Seemingly in response to the strongly negative feedback that arose from the potential in macOS 15 Sequoia of having to approve permission for each of your apps that require screen recording permissions every single week and after restarts, Apple has changed to a monthly schedule and made the prompt text more specific. The repetitive prompts remain too frequent: they are still unnecessary and bad for security.

Adam Engst 34 comments

macOS 15 Sequoia’s Excessive Permissions Prompts Will Hurt Security

macOS 15 Sequoia displays permissions prompts for apps that require screen recording permissions—more than just screenshot apps—at least once per week and after every restart or logout. Adam Engst explains why this is both unnecessary and counter-productive.

Adam Engst 44 comments

macOS 14.6.1, macOS 13.6.9, iOS 17.6.1, and iPadOS 17.6.1 Fix Advanced Data Protection

Apple’s latest updates address a problem that prevented users from turning Advanced Data Protection on or off. What other problems might they fix as well? Read on for details and our installation advice.

Adam Engst 13 comments

macOS 14.6 Enables Double Display Support for 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro

Apple has released updates to all its operating systems, saying only that they provide “important bug fixes and security updates” for everything other than macOS 14.6 Sonoma, which enables the M3 model of the 14-inch MacBook Pro to drive two external displays when the lid is closed.

Adam Engst 8 comments

Apple Opens Public Betas for macOS 15 Sequoia, iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, tvOS 18, and HomePod Software 18

Apple has opened the public beta program for its forthcoming 2024 operating systems. Remember, these aren’t meant for everyday use. Only install them on devices that you can dedicate to testing!

Adam Engst 6 comments

The Real System Requirements for Apple’s 2024 Operating Systems

Apple’s upcoming operating systems have good historical hardware support, but devils dance in the details. Two MacBook Airs, three iPads, and three Apple Watches fall by the wayside this year. Older devices that are generally compatible won’t be able to take advantage of all the new features. Read on to find out what your devices will support.

Adam Engst 5 comments

Apple Says It Won’t Ship Apple Intelligence for EU Users in 2024

Apple has said the Digital Markets Act’s interoperability requirements will prevent it from shipping Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring, and SharePlay Screen Sharing for EU users in 2024. 

Adam Engst 25 comments

Examining Apple Intelligence

Apple devoted a large part of its WWDC keynote to Apple Intelligence, a collection of new AI-driven features that it plans to introduce throughout the next year in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 Sequoia. 

Adam Engst 52 comments

14 Compelling Features Coming to Apple’s Operating Systems in 2024

Apple doesn’t skimp when it comes to adding features to its operating systems each year. Here are the 14 features that most caught our attention.

Adam Engst 20 comments

Solving the macOS Installer’s “Failed to Personalize” Error with New Firmware

A TidBITS Talk user was unable to update macOS on an M2 16-inch MacBook Pro, receiving a “Failed to personalize” error each time. The problem turned out to be related to firmware, and the little-known solution required restoring with Apple Configurator.

Adam Engst No comments

New Apple Accessibility Features Coming Later This Year

To celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Apple revealed a slew of new accessibility features slated for the next versions of its operating systems.

Adam Engst 7 comments

iOS 17.5 Adds Cross-Platform Location Tracking Alerts

Apple has released a large set of operating system updates, including iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, macOS 14.5 Sonoma, watchOS 10.5, tvOS 17.5, HomePod Software 17.5, macOS Ventura 13.6.7, macOS Monterey 12.7.5, iOS 16.7.8, and iPadOS 16.7.8. New features include alerts for Android-paired tracking devices moving with you and a new game and leaderboard for Apple News+ subscribers.

Adam Engst 6 comments

macOS 14.4.1 Sonoma and macOS 13.6.6 Ventura Fix Bugs and Vulnerabilities

Apple doesn’t say what has changed for macOS 13.6.6 Ventura, but the bugs fixed in macOS 14.4.1 Sonoma have bedeviled users for the last two weeks.