TendCommunity · 4 min read
How to ask for Mac help without sharing private data
Use a concise report template, record what changed and share only the evidence needed for someone to help.
Read guide: How to ask for Mac help without sharing private data →Tend field notes · Mac guides
Practical guides for a Mac you depend on.
Understand what changed, protect the work that matters, and choose your next step. Find practical troubleshooting alongside Tend feature walkthroughs, with sources and clear limits.
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Feature walkthroughs & practical checks
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Each guide explains the evidence, the limits, and the consequences of an action. Direct-only features are labelled.
23 guides
Work & travel · 4 min read
Prepare a Mac for offline work: test the actual task before leaving
Check local files, dependencies, battery and a recoverable copy before travelling or working without a reliable connection.
Read guide: Prepare a Mac for offline work: test the actual task before leaving →Performance · 4 min read
Mac slow after an update: distinguish background work from a lasting problem
Check indexing, app compatibility and a repeatable workload before assuming an update caused permanent performance loss.
Read guide: Mac slow after an update: distinguish background work from a lasting problem →Performance · 4 min read
Mac app not responding: preserve work, quit carefully, then investigate
Handle a frozen app with the least disruptive available action and collect a repeatable report if it happens again.
Read guide: Mac app not responding: preserve work, quit carefully, then investigate →Storage · 4 min read
System Data is large on Mac: investigate owners, not the label
Understand the System Data category and find reviewable storage without deleting unknown Library folders or local backups.
Read guide: System Data is large on Mac: investigate owners, not the label →Performance · 4 min read
Mac running hot or fans loud: compare the workload first
Check ventilation and sustained CPU work, distinguish normal demanding tasks from unexplained heat, and know when to seek service.
Read guide: Mac running hot or fans loud: compare the workload first →Privacy · 4 min read
Mac camera, microphone or screen recording not working: check the right permission
Check app, browser and macOS permissions separately, then test the selected input without granting unrelated access.
Read guide: Mac camera, microphone or screen recording not working: check the right permission →Backups · 4 min read
Time Machine backup not completing: a careful troubleshooting order
Check the destination, connection, available space and exact Time Machine error before replacing or erasing a backup.
Read guide: Time Machine backup not completing: a careful troubleshooting order →Storage · 4 min read
External drive not showing up on Mac: check before erasing
Distinguish a hidden Finder volume from a connection or filesystem problem, and protect the only copy before attempting repairs.
Read guide: External drive not showing up on Mac: check before erasing →Startup · 4 min read
Mac keeps restarting: collect clues before changing everything
Investigate unexpected restarts by recording the trigger, testing peripherals and following Apple’s software and hardware checks.
Read guide: Mac keeps restarting: collect clues before changing everything →Startup · 4 min read
Start a Mac in safe mode: Apple silicon and Intel steps
Use the correct safe-mode startup procedure, compare a repeatable symptom, then return to a normal startup.
Read guide: Start a Mac in safe mode: Apple silicon and Intel steps →Performance · 4 min read
High RAM use on Mac: read memory pressure before taking action
Understand memory pressure, cached files and swap, then test whether one app or workload is causing an actual slowdown.
Read guide: High RAM use on Mac: read memory pressure before taking action →Connectivity · 4 min read
Mac connected to Wi-Fi but no internet: narrow down the cause
Separate a Mac Wi-Fi problem from a router, website, VPN or internet outage with a short sequence of reversible checks.
Read guide: Mac connected to Wi-Fi but no internet: narrow down the cause →Features · 5 min read
Tend on the Mac App Store or direct download?
Compare Tend's Mac App Store and direct-download editions, understand folder permissions, and choose the right installation for your Mac.
Read guide: Tend on the Mac App Store or direct download? →Features · 5 min read
How to use Tend Timeline to understand Mac changes
Use Tend Timeline baselines to investigate storage, app, battery and backup changes while separating observations from possible explanations.
Read guide: How to use Tend Timeline to understand Mac changes →Developer · 6 min read
Mac developer storage: review caches without losing work
Review node_modules, package caches, Xcode data and Docker storage while protecting source code, private dependencies and resources needed offline.
Read guide: Mac developer storage: review caches without losing work →Storage · 5 min read
Why moving files to Trash may not free Mac storage
Understand moved-file size, available disk space, Trash recovery and APFS snapshots before assuming a Mac cleanup failed or deleting more data.
Read guide: Why moving files to Trash may not free Mac storage →Backups · 5 min read
Check your Mac backups before cleaning important files
Check Time Machine destination, freshness, excluded folders and a small restore test before cleaning project files or an external drive.
Read guide: Check your Mac backups before cleaning important files →Storage · 5 min read
Why external-drive and iCloud storage sizes can differ
Understand logical file size, local allocation, cloud placeholders and volume free space when reviewing external drives and iCloud folders on Mac.
Read guide: Why external-drive and iCloud storage sizes can differ →Storage · 6 min read
How to find what is taking up space on your Mac
Learn how to identify large Mac folders, applications, downloads, duplicates, cloud placeholders, and unmeasured storage before deleting anything.
Read guide: How to find what is taking up space on your Mac →Storage · 6 min read
How to clean Mac storage safely without losing files
Use backups, cleanup previews, Trash-based recovery, and measured disk changes to free Mac storage without relying on irreversible deletion shortcuts.
Read guide: How to clean Mac storage safely without losing files →Performance · 7 min read
Why is my Mac slow? An evidence-first checklist
Diagnose a slow Mac by checking storage pressure, memory availability, CPU use, startup items, energy impact, sleep blockers, and recent system changes.
Read guide: Why is my Mac slow? An evidence-first checklist →Battery · 6 min read
How to understand Mac battery health and drain
Understand Mac battery capacity, cycle count, short-term drain, energy-heavy applications, and sleep blockers without confusing separate measurements.
Read guide: How to understand Mac battery health and drain →No matching guides. Choose another topic or clear your search.
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The Store edition covers health and selected-folder file review. Compare editions for developer tools and system maintenance.