56 fast fixes for Mac, iPhone & iPad

Having problems with your Mac, iPhone or iPad? Fix them fast with these top tips, tricks and how-tos

Written by Ian Osborne

Image credits: Apple Inc, MacPaw Way Ltd

Apple users are very well catered for when it comes to getting help with their gear. Every Apple Store has a Genius Bar where you can take your Apple device and have it looked at by experts. Help and advice there is usually free, unless they have to make physical repairs that involve disassembly. Point your web browser at apple.com/retail/ geniusbar and make an appointment, or for software help, arrange a phone call or a real-time chat from your Mac, iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch. There’s also plenty of help available online. Forums – including Apple’s own – are full of helpful tips and tricks.

But not every problem requires a trip to the Genius Bar. There’s lots you can do yourself to fix issues with your Apple gear, quickly and easily. Most Mac problems, for example, are software rather than hardware related. There are plenty of fast fixes available to get up and running again. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth problems can usually be fixed at home too, and have you tried using the Mac’s own recovery and first aid tools?

In this feature, we take you through some of the most-encountered problems with Apple devices and show you how to fix them. As mentioned, most of the time, this can be achieved without spending money and without a trip to the Genius Bar. We also show you how to back up and restore your Mac, fix iCloud syncing issues, solutions for problems on your iPhone and iPad and more. Issues with files are quickly solved, as are problems with your Apple gear running far too slowly.

Armed with this information, you can be your own Apple Genius, fixing your problems and getting up and running again in no time at all.

If in doubt, restart...

This is the golden rule. If you’re having problems with an Apple device, turn it off. For a Mac, use the Apple menu > Shut Down, and for iPhones and iPads, hold the Volume Up and side/top buttons and use the slider. Now count to 20 and turn it on again.

Restarting in this way can solve a wide range of problems with Macs, iPhones and iPads.

Fast fixes for your Mac

Quick solutions for bothersome technical issues

Bluetooth

If you’re having trouble connecting to a Bluetooth device you’ve already paired with your Mac, go to Apple menu > System Settings and click on Bluetooth in the sidebar. Find the device that’s not connecting, click the ‘i’ icon next to it and in the window, click Forget This Device. Now put the device into pairing mode again (see the instructions, or look for them on the web) and pair it with your Mac in the usual way.

Wi-Fi and network issues

In System Settings, click Wi-Fi in the sidebar, and turn off the Wi-Fi switch in the top-right. Wait for a few seconds, then turn it on again. If this doesn’t work, turn your router off, count to 20 and then turn it on again. Wait for it to reboot. Failing that, click the Details button next to your network name, click ‘Forget This Network’ and then join it again using your network password. One of these tricks usually works.

My Mac won’t start...

First, check the power lead of your desktop (and the monitor if it doesn’t have an internal screen), or connect your notebook to the mains. If it still won’t turn on, press and hold your Mac’s power button for around ten seconds, then press and release it. If this fails, try again with any peripherals unplugged.

If your Mac turns on but won’t boot properly, you can try starting it from recovery mode. Shut down your Mac, pressing and holding the power button for ten seconds. Now press and hold the power button again until you see the startup options. Select your startup disk and click Restart.