Mac User Guide
- Welcome
- What’s new in macOS Sequoia
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- Get started with Apple Intelligence
- Use Writing Tools
- Use Apple Intelligence in Mail
- Use Apple Intelligence in Messages
- Use Apple Intelligence with Siri
- Get webpage summaries
- Summarize an audio recording
- Create original images with Image Playground
- Use Apple Intelligence in Photos
- Summarize notifications and reduce interruptions
- Use ChatGPT with Apple Intelligence
- Apple Intelligence and privacy
- Block access to Apple Intelligence features
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- Intro to Continuity
- Use AirDrop to send items to nearby devices
- Hand off tasks between devices
- Control your iPhone from your Mac
- Copy and paste between devices
- Stream video and audio with AirPlay
- Make and receive calls and text messages on your Mac
- Use your iPhone internet connection with your Mac
- Share your Wi-Fi password with another device
- Use iPhone as a webcam
- Insert sketches, photos, and scans from iPhone or iPad
- Unlock your Mac with Apple Watch
- Use your iPad as a second display
- Use one keyboard and mouse to control Mac and iPad
- Sync music, books, and more between devices
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- Control what you share
- Set up your Mac to be secure
- Allow apps to see the location of your Mac
- Use Private Browsing
- Keep your data safe
- Understand passwords
- Change weak or compromised passwords
- Keep your Apple Account secure
- Use Mail Privacy Protection
- Use Sign in with Apple for apps and websites
- Find a missing device
- Resources for your Mac
- Resources for your Apple devices
- Copyright
If Time Machine remains in the preparing stage on Mac
After the initial backup, Time Machine backs up only files and folders that have changed since your last backup. While Time Machine compares your current files and folders to those in the most recent backup, it displays a “Found…” message with the number of changes found.
The length of preparation time that Time Machine requires depends on the amount of information on your Mac, the size of the backup, and the speed of the connection between your Mac and the backup disk.
The preparation stage can also take longer if:
The previous Time Machine backup was interrupted.
The Mac wasn’t shut down properly.
A disk was disconnected from your computer before being ejected.
A software update was recently installed.
You used your Mac for several days without performing a backup. This can happen if the backup disk was disconnected.
Antivirus software can also cause backups to require more time. Make sure your Time Machine backup disk is excluded from virus scanning.