Startup and shutdown on a Mac, fixed in plain English.
15 fixes for macOS 26 Tahoe and macOS 27 Golden Gate.
Stop apps opening by themselves when you start or log in to your MacThose apps are in your Login Items list.macOS update is stuck or very slow to installThe installer is still working, or low storage/power interrupted it.Choose which disk or version of macOS your Mac starts fromThe Mac starts from the disk selected in Startup Disk.Erase and factory reset your Mac before you sell or give it awayErase All Content and Settings removes your data and signs you out so the Mac is ready for a new owner.Your Mac restarted because of a problem: what to doA kernel panic from a faulty app, driver, peripheral or hardware.What to do when your Mac won't turn onThe battery is flat, the charger or cable is faulty, or the Mac is stuck.Start up your Mac in macOS RecoveryRecovery gives you Disk Utility and macOS reinstall tools outside your normal system.Put your Mac to sleep and wake it up againSleep saves power and resumes right where you left off.Start your Mac in Safe Mode, and leave it againSafe Mode starts the Mac with minimal software, helping to find startup problems.Force restart your Mac when it's frozenThe Mac is unresponsive and normal restart does not work.Reinstall macOS from Recovery and keep your filesReinstalling macOS from Recovery replaces system files and keeps your data.Find the power button on your MacBook, iMac or Mac miniOn a MacBook, the Touch ID button at the top-right of the keyboard is the power button.Get your Mac past the Apple logo when startup gets stuckA damaged install, a failed update or an external device can stall startup."Background Items Added": see and switch off what runs in the backgroundAn installed app added a helper or launch agent that runs in the background.Stop your MacBook turning on when you open the lid or plug it inApple silicon laptops start up automatically on lid open or power connect.