TECH SUPPORT & TECHSPLANATIONS

Email Mac|Life at ask@maclife.com

Hot topics right now

Make sure you check out these important support articles on Apple’s website to better understand the latest features.

PROBLEMS WITH EXTERNAL DISPLAYS?

If you’re having video problems with an external display that’s connected to your Mac - if it’s blank, fuzzy/blurry, or there are other annoying issues with it - then this support article should be useful to you as it lists the various steps to help get your screen working: bit.ly/ml171ask1.

CHANGE YOUR MAC PRO’S SSD MODULES

Got a Mac Pro (2019)? Well, you’re pretty lucky then, and you also might be wondering how to upgrade your internal SSD modules, whether it’s to replace a faulty unit, or to upgrade to a bigger capacity SSD module (modules available here: https://bit.ly/ml_prossd). If so, go to this support page to find out how to install or replace the SSD modules yourself: bit.ly/ml171ask2.

> How can I list my Applications in more useful groups?

When I list my Applications by groups in a Finder window, then select the Application Category option, most are shown under Other - even Apple’s Home and News apps. How can I show them in meaningful categories?

This uses categories which Apple has set according to those used in its App Store. If most of your apps have been obtained from there, it should work quite well, although like the store its categories are unevenly spread. It has 19 sub-categories of Games, but others are more arbitrary.

Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to add or change these app categories, since they’re set by macOS. In theory, you can add or change the category for those apps which aren’t bundled in macOS (as those are protected by SIP). The category for each app is set in the LSApplicationCategoryType value in its Info.plist file, inside the app.

However, that file is protected by the app’s signature, so changing it breaks the signature, and Catalina in particular will then refuse to open that app. So don’t bother trying to change an app’s category if you want to use it. There are alternatives using metadata which you can change, but they only work in Finder’s Find windows and not with Groups, and involve adding extended attributes.

The Finder’s Application Categories are fixed, and match the App Store, leaving too many in the Other category.

Get official documentation at support.apple.com | Get help with hardware atsupport.apple.com/repair