61 FAST FIXES

Apple tech is reassuringly reliable, but it's easy to get bewildered when you hit an issue. Fortunately, we've got a round-up of easy Mac, iPhone and iPad remedies for you

- IAN OSBORNE

ONE OF THE greatest advantages of Apple gear is simply how easy, user-friendly, and intuitive they are to use. You don't have to dig your way through endless patches before your apps are compatible with your hardware, or puzzle through quirks and hiccups caused by multiple versions of your phone's operating system. Instead, to use Apple's oft-quoted marketing slogan, "it just works".

But what about when it doesn't? What if something goes wrong, and you don't know what to do? You've just plugged in a flash drive, but it isn't recognized by macOS. How do you solve this? Your iPhone is lost or stolen. How do you locate it? You've plugged your iPad into the wall, but it isn't charging. What could be wrong? 

In this article, we provide a range of fixes and problem-solving tips for your Mac, iPhone or iPad. Whether you've hit a snag that needs a workaround, or you simply want to know how to do something on your Apple device, we show you how.

The golden rule

If your Apple device isn't behaving as it should, the first thing you should do is restart it. Turning it off and rebooting solves a great number of problems, and it works for all sorts of technology gear: your Mac, iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch, of course, but also your router, smart TV, internet-enabled radio, connected kettle and just about anything else. We'll tell you exactly how to reboot your individual Apple devices later.

Solutions for Mac

Having problems with your notebook or desktop? We can help

1 Restart your Mac