/r/osx

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Reddit's home of all things OSX.


Welcome to Reddit's community for users, developers, and hackers of Mac OS X – the computer operating system from Apple!

Please share your tips, tricks, hacks, creations, and humor related to the best desktop environment out there.

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Try searching for it! Failing that, questions are more than welcome, but you are likely to get the most support when submitting to /r/AppleHelp instead.


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/r/osx

75,100 Subscribers

2

We built an OSS lightweight CLI for MacOS & Linux VMs on Apple Silicon

We just open-sourced Lume, https://github.com/trycua/lume - a tool we built after hitting walls with existing virtualization options on Apple Silicon. No GUI, no complex stacks - just a single binary that lets you spin up macOS or Linux VMs via CLI or API.

What Lume brings to the table:

  • Run native macOS VMs in 1 command, using Apple Virtualization.Frameworklume run macos-sequoia-vanilla:latest
  • Prebuilt images on ghcr.io/trycua (macOS, Ubuntu on ARM, BSD)
  • API server to manage VMs programmatically (POST /lume/vms)
  • A python SDK on github.com/trycua/pylume

Run prebuilt macOS images in just 1 step

lume run macos-sequoia-vanilla:latest 

Install from Homebrew

brew tap trycua 

lume brew install lume 

You can also download the lume.pkg.tar.gz archive from the latest release and install the package manually.

Local API Server:

lume exposes a local HTTP API server that listens on http://localhost:3000/lume, enabling automated management of VMs.

lume serve 

For detailed API documentation, please refer to API Reference.

HN devs - would love raw feedback on the CLI and whether this solves your VM on Apple Silicon pain points. What would make you replace Lima, UTM or Tart with this?

Repo: github.com/trycua/lume

Python SDK: github.com/trycua/pylume

0 Comments
2025/02/03
21:44 UTC

1

WD Elements 14TB External HDD in a look of going to sleep and awakening constantly.

I use a 2024 M2 Mac Mini with Sonoma 14.6.1 installed. I have a WD Elements 14TB External HDD connected via USB 3.0. The problem is that it's in a constant loop of going to sleep and waking back up that makes the use of Finder and Open/Save options in applications a real pain in the neck. I've tried to update/reinstall WD software but it's a NO. I also tried a software that is supposed to keep the drive spinning but it does not.

Is there a solution for this?

Thanx in advance.

0 Comments
2025/02/02
08:07 UTC

2

Outlook for OSX help

I want to create rules for certain messages that trigger audio alerts. This is trivial on the windows version, but I am not seeing the features on the Mac version.

I'm hoping I'm just an idiot and that one of you fine folks can help me.

1 Comment
2025/01/31
16:34 UTC

3

Google Drive - Not syncing after sleep

Hey all - I have returned to Mac recently (m4 MBP) and noticed that Google Drive doesn't seem to sync after the MBP is woken from sleep. Basically, the MBP is sleeping and I add a file to a directory in GD from another computer. Then, I open the MBP and the file never syncs. However, if I exit GD and re-start it, it syncs as expected.

Is there some setting I'm missing to fix this behavior? It's not the end of the world to have to exit and restart GD, but doing so after every sleep seems a bit silly. My Windows machines don't require this -- it's only on the MBP.

(Because I'm on various OSes, I don't want to use iCloud, hence needing GD or something cross-platform)

0 Comments
2025/01/30
22:59 UTC

2

How do I disable whatever this is

Not sure if this is a new feature of OSX or something when I run microsoft teams. It is just annoying. I just want to control my tabs like I have been doing for my entire life haha

https://preview.redd.it/skv5dp62z6ge1.png?width=105&format=png&auto=webp&s=5397679e5b1edcf701e7945bf98733f5e2e2488a

4 Comments
2025/01/30
20:34 UTC

1

PSA: Sequoia 15.3 has Apple Intelligence on by default...

  • Turn Apple Intelligence on: With macOS 15.3 or later, Apple Intelligence is on by default and integrated across features in your apps. If you have an earlier version of macOS 15 (or if you previously turned off Apple Intelligence), choose Apple menu > System Settings, click Apple Intelligence & Siri , then click Get Apple Intelligence.
  • Turn Apple Intelligence off: Choose Apple menu > System Settings, click Apple Intelligence & Siri , then click the button next to Apple Intelligence.
5 Comments
2025/01/30
16:52 UTC

2

Is there some way to switch MBP Wifi band from 5Ghz to 2.4Ghz when printing?

I lost power for a few hours yesterday and then couldn't (wifi) print. After a lot of troubleshooting with AppleCare, I figured out that the MBP was on 5Ghz and the printer was on 2.4GHz (same wifi hub, physically), so they could not find each other due to being on different bands. Ok, so now I know, BUT it seems I need to manually force my MBP onto 2.4Ghz (or force it to stay there) if I want to print. This seems stupid. Is there any way to get these two to play nice, even on different bands?

6 Comments
2025/01/30
09:33 UTC

0

Excessive disk usage

For the last week kernel_task has been writing around 100-200MB/s. corespotlightd often has very high CPU usage but I don’t know if that is related. I have a Macook Pro with M3Pro, 32GD RAM and 2TB SSD. Even if I restart the computer and open no programmes the problem still occurs. I’ve tried disk first aid and there are no issues. I tried turning off Apple Intelligence and the write stopped for a few seconds then started again. Currently running 15.2 and don’t recall ever having this problem before.

2 Comments
2025/01/29
15:51 UTC

0

OS X Mavericks installation stuck on Verifying InstallMacOSX.pkg/InstallESD.dmg

I bought a new SSD for my MacBook Pro 5,5, I want to try using Mavericks for the first time since I never got to use it and well
I downloaded the .app from archive.org (AppStore doesn't work at all) and first tried to install it from Mountain Lion but it kept saying it can't be verified, I turned the wifi off and changed the date and it still didn't work, I tried 2 different Mavericks installers none worked,
eventually I just used that archive.org .app and used DiskMaker X to create a bootable USB of it,

it booted fine to the recovery environment, gave me that verification error, this time it got fixed just by changing the date. but after I click install and stuff, it gets stuck on "About one second remaining" in the log it says "Verifying InstallMacOSX.pkg/InstallESD.dmg"

also don't tell me to upgrade, for modern apps I have my 2020 M1 MBP which I sent this post from

7 Comments
2025/01/28
00:53 UTC

4

Finder using significant energy - Battery drain, Finder freezing

Hi. I have an issue with Finder draining the battery. Clicking the battery reveals it using significant energy. while looking in the activity monitor/btop/htop/top, I see various processes related to iCloud Drive (cloudd, bird, fileprovider).

Screenshot: https://imgur.com/vQUupit

Macbook Pro 2021 14", M1 Pro, macOS Sequoia 15.2 (24C101).

Thanks in advance.

0 Comments
2025/01/27
04:54 UTC

2

connecting pc to mac

Hello, I'm on an M2 Macbook and would like to connect remotely to my pc. But it is running Windows 11 Home so I'm unable to enable it, is there any command or third party app that would allow me to do this?

6 Comments
2025/01/26
21:54 UTC

1

OSX not sleeping the macbook

When I sleep the computer, the battery drains.

I checked activity monitor - energy and there is nothing for YES under sleep that is keeping the computer awake.

The battery cycle is at 50 and I've had cases where I closed the lid and the computer was still running.

I checked the battery settings and all looks good there.

Any ideas?

4 Comments
2025/01/25
06:05 UTC

0

Apple - stop "improving" my interface - Anyone know how to disable/enable the trackpad

I'm a touch typist. Quite often I need to write text for a while, but when I am on the laptop (not when it is plugged into my base station) I am touching the trackpad accidentally and KAPOW - cursor is off doing something random like closing a window or downloading pron or whatever the hell will cause the most grief. Mind of its own.

When I use my wireless mouse at a desk, or when plugged into the base station, I have the trackpad set to disable. Easy peasy.

But when I am trying to type on the laptop as a laptop, say posting a question on r/OSX for example, the cursor will go rogue randomly from some combination of touches. I dream of a simple way to create a hotkey combo to enable/disable the trackpad. I can do it in a terminal window, but that's silly.

Also, APPLE, damn it, stop improving my interface. Your latest version has broken my workflows, and every fucking time I try to move a window by dragging the top panel, it goes full screen or half size or some other goofy disappearing act for which I cannot find an explanation. I'll skip rant on the missing keychain app which I miss also.

Advice please, now that I'm done ranting:

  1. A way to hotkey macro the trackpad on/off?

  2. Where in settings can I go to turn off all the "helpful" features that turn window rearrangement into Russian Roulette?

4 Comments
2025/01/24
01:30 UTC

5

can someone please give me advice on how to make a working bootloader for high sierra

so i tried to wipe my mac book air and i think i kind fucked up and now im having trouble trying trying to install the os when i try it on the laptop an error comes uo so i think i need a bootloader iv tried to make one but it just doesn't work i have no idea what I'm doing wrong

1 Comment
2025/01/23
22:41 UTC

7

What is the experience of running a 4k monitor at 1440p?

In general, fractional scaling is not well supported by a Mac. But what is the experience in using a 4k monitor 2560x1440. I believe this causes the CPU to first run at 5k and then downscale that to 2k. I have a couple questions about how this configuration works for people.

1.) How clear is the text? Is it better or less good than just using a 1440p monitor? I've heard both. This would be for a 32" monitor at 4k, or 34" at 3440x1440.

2.) What is the overload on the processor? I have a MBP M4 Pro, so I think I can handle it easily.. but does it significantly increase the load on the computer?

3.) What frequency can I run this at over Displayport 1.4/HDMI2.1/USB-C/Thunderbolt 5? When it send to the monitor through a cable, should I use the 5k maximum frequency, or the 2k maximum frequency?

6 Comments
2025/01/23
11:07 UTC

1

Just asking abt this for the future

Is there a browser for older versions of OS X (specifically OS X 10.9 Mavericks) thats ui fits in with the rest of the apps or has an theme that makes it look like an older browser but is based off of a modern browser? just askin -thanks

5 Comments
2025/01/21
17:40 UTC

2

Changing Case When Pasting

I'd like to be able to copy text that is in ALL CAPS and paste it in Title Case. I'm pasting into web forms, and I realize that I can select the text ant us the Transformations option, but I'm lazy and would love to make this even faster. Is there anything available that allows me to do this?

4 Comments
2025/01/20
23:59 UTC

1

[Mac] Any way to export a WiFi "Profile"?

I have an old Mac. In System Preferences, I have a "Profiles" setting menu (image link showing what that button looks like: https://ithelp.ssri.psu.edu/guides/approve-mobile-device-management-profile). That shows one entry: "XFINITY WiFi"

I think this is from when I used to have an Xfinity account, because it automatically connects me to any Xfinity Wi-Fi networks - pretty nifty...except this isn't my main computer (and I don't have an Xfinity account anymore but the profile still works). I'd love to export this profile to my other main Mac but I'm not sure where it's stored or how to export it. Keychain Access? Somewhere else?

Any help is appreciated.

1 Comment
2025/01/20
23:15 UTC

1

Donating an old (2012) iMac - messed up and didn’t secure erase, can’t figure out a way to go back and do it

As the title says, I’ve got a really old iMac that I finally pulled files off of, so I was prepping it to donate. I went through all the steps, deauthorized, signed out of everything, erased the HD, then reinstalled OS (Mojave).

However, as soon as I clicked the button to erase, I realized that I hadn’t chosen the secure erase options. I went back immediately and tried it, but it took seconds to complete (even on the 7x setting), so it obviously wasn’t seeing anything to securely erase anymore.

Now I have the OS reinstalled, it still runs quickly (pretty amazing imo) - but I have no idea if the files are recoverable. Is there a utility that I can use to force it to overwrite the HD even on deleted data? Or am I just rolling the dice on who ends up with the computer?

Thanks!

7 Comments
2025/01/19
19:30 UTC

1

Can anyone guide me in running macOS for 2017 iMac off external ssd

Hi! Have a super slow 2017 iMac my grandma uses. I got an SSD to try to run macOS off of. She has 30gb of files.

I want to back these files up on to the ssd but also use that ssd to run macOS externally.

Anyone who can help let me know! Can even send a small tip. Thanks.

2 Comments
2025/01/19
01:12 UTC

0

How to get rid of weird maximize, minimize, close app design

Hi, running OSX 15.2 and for a couple of days I have this new wierd maximize, minimize, close app design where three red, yellow and green bottons use to be. As seen app with the grey status bar in the attached screenshow.

How can I get rid of this?
Thanks in advance.

https://preview.redd.it/4vjlet5axede1.png?width=434&format=png&auto=webp&s=f8483584cebeca356e3fbaaae1a7fd8e120ac73a

7 Comments
2025/01/16
20:10 UTC

2

Mac reinstall struggling with locked disk issue

Hi friends, have spent all dfay trying to revive two old mac airs. I have wiped them in the past and am trying to now get them up and running.

I have an issue with one that whenever I try and install a os (monterey) in recovery mode via a hardrive it says the hard drive is locked. It worked fine on my 15" air but not on the 11" one. Any idea where to go with this? Thanks

https://preview.redd.it/ahbm6isnn7de1.png?width=1588&format=png&auto=webp&s=f7ab0f8e0e37ff396db2305fd9da6e4c5a7579be

https://preview.redd.it/m7tn5isnn7de1.png?width=1588&format=png&auto=webp&s=2117fcded6b697d3d94d31a7c82c550097313972

3 Comments
2025/01/15
18:47 UTC

1

Problems with Bluetooth dropouts on brand new M3 Pro

Hi all. Recently bought an 14" M3 Pro, running Sequioa 15.2.

I'm using it with a Logitech M590 bluetooth mouse and a Bose Soundlink II speaker - both of these work fine on two Windows machines and my iPad/iPhone (speaker only!), and have full batteries.

However, on the new MacBook, the speaker drops audio every 2 minutes or so for maybe 2 seconds. It doesn't lose the connection to the MacBook and then reconnect, the audio just drops.

The same story with the mouse - it connects fine and works most of the time, but it intermittently drops signal. Cursor doesn't move but the mouse stays connected in System Settings. This isn't some power saving thing either, I can be using it and it'll just suddenly stop.

Having come from a Windows laptop to this computer, I remember having similar issues with the last MacBook Pro I owned, a late 2013 model.

Is there any solution to this? Thanks.

0 Comments
2025/01/15
15:20 UTC

4

Tech illiterate, 186gb system data - send help please

10 Comments
2025/01/15
05:25 UTC

2

How to completely wipe Mac computer for storage?

So i basically have no storage even though i have deleted everything possible. My pictures are in the cloud and not stored on my laptop. I really only used this for school so nothing important is left on there. Will wiping this laptop create more storage?

Will this mess up iCloud? I turned iCloud off on my laptop for pictures and notes so it doesn’t affect anything on my phone.

2 Comments
2025/01/15
00:45 UTC

234

34 Comments
2025/01/13
22:46 UTC

2

OS update from Yosemite to...?

So I've had a mid 2012 macbook pro for ages that came with Yosemite 10.10.5 installed. Right now I am having trouble using everything, it is extra slow and even chrome/mozilla updates are no longer supported. I don't have money to splurge on a new device and I will soon need this macbook to work on some projects at my job (nothing crazy, just very light video-editing).
Which OS should I upgrade my macbook to? Would that be worth it or since the mac is old I will have pretty much the same problems? What are the steps I need to follow in the process of upgrading? Please explain it as you would to a 6 year old, I literally have no clue lmaoooo thanks to whoever will reply!!

8 Comments
2025/01/13
09:55 UTC

0

Gaining the permissions to edit the Calendar .app package

I'd like to make some changes to the calendar app on my Macintosh but I don't have permissions to edit it and I would love it if someone could let me know how to do this, thank you.

11 Comments
2025/01/12
10:00 UTC

0

Problem of downloading effects from Youtube

I just got my new MacBook Pro for video editing and music production. The problem is that I found some source material form YouTube for either of my vid or music but I don't know how to download these vids into mp4 or mp3 as the way I used to on my pc. If u got any way to deal with my problem pls tell me.

(thanks for the platform and sorry for my bad English)

5 Comments
2025/01/11
16:19 UTC

0

mac osx blank website

So this happens only with this website, happens in chrome and Safari… page is pe.efatura.cv… what it could be?. osx 10.10- can’t be updated

13 Comments
2025/01/10
22:29 UTC

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