Apple Silicon Mac: Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair
To help isolate the cause of an issue on a Mac you’re troubleshooting, you may be prompted to use Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair or Apple Diagnostics for Repair to run diagnostic test suites. A diagnostic suite consists of multiple diagnostic tests. Running these test suites can help isolate issues, investigate whether a part needs to be replaced, and verify that a repair has been successfully completed.
Diagnostic choices
Apple Diagnostics for Repair refers to running diagnostic test suites directly on the Mac being tested. Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair refers to running diagnostic test suites online using a secondary device. Both methods provide the same set of diagnostic test suites.
Apple Diagnostics for Repair
Running Apple Diagnostics for Repair directly on the Mac being tested is the easiest way to run diagnostic test suites, if the Mac meets the requirements to do so. The Mac display is used as a diagnostic console to select, run, and display test suites and results.
Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair
If the Mac being tested doesn’t meet the requirements for Apple Diagnostics for Repair, has issues that prevent you from using the display, or if you otherwise can't use Apple Diagnostics for Repair, you can access these same diagnostic test suites online using a secondary device and Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair. To access the test suites online, you'll need a separate secondary device with a web browser and internet access. The second device serves as a diagnostic console, where you’ll enter the serial number of the Mac that you’re testing.
You’ll select the recommended diagnostic test suite on the secondary device. When the diagnostic test has finished running, results will appear on the diagnostic console on the secondary device. Examine the results to help isolate the cause of the issue on the Mac being serviced.
How to run Apple Diagnostics for Repair
Requirements
To use Apple Diagnostics for Repair to test a Mac, you'll need:
A Mac to be tested
Note: This must be a Mac with Apple silicon that has power and can start up in macOS. Intel-based Mac computers aren't supported in Apple Diagnostics for Repair.
Important: The Mac that you're testing must have macOS Tahoe 26.0 or later to run Apple Diagnostics for Repair. Beta versions of macOS aren't supported.
Note: You don't need a secondary device to run Apple Diagnostics for Repair directly from the Mac being tested.
Refer to the following support articles for help identifying the Mac that you're testing:
If the Mac that you're testing doesn't turn on or start up, refer to the relevant troubleshooting section for power and startup issues:
A Wi-Fi or wired internet connection on the Mac to be tested
Prepare the Mac you're testing
If you're able to install the latest macOS updates, do so before continuing.
Shut down the Mac to be tested.
Unplug all external devices except the keyboard, mouse, and display (if applicable).
Ensure that the Mac is on a hard, flat, stable surface with good ventilation.
For Mac desktops, connect the AC power cord to the computer. For Mac laptops, connect the computer’s power adapter and charging cable to the computer.
Enter diagnostics mode on the Mac you're testing
If you're using a wired Ethernet connection to connect the Mac you're testing to the internet, connect the Ethernet cable to the Mac before turning on the computer. If you're using Wi-Fi, you will connect later in step 5 after the computer starts into diagnostics mode.
Press and hold the power button on the Mac to be tested to turn on the computer. On laptop computers that have Touch ID, press and hold the Touch ID button.
As you continue to hold the power or Touch ID button, the Mac will turn on and load startup options. When you see Loading startup options..., release the power or Touch ID button.
When the startup options screen appears, press and hold Command (⌘)-D on the Mac's keyboard to enter diagnostics mode.
When the message Diagnostics & Repair appears, the Mac is in diagnostics mode. Click Continue, select a Wi-Fi network, and agree to terms and conditions.
Select and run diagnostics
When a screen with the message Diagnose or Repair appears, select Run Diagnostics on this screen to see a menu listing available diagnostic suites, where you can select and run diagnostic test suites.
Important: You may see a Repair menu item on the Diagnose or Repair screen. This means that a repair has been performed on the Mac and steps need to be taken to complete configuration to finish that repair. If you see this menu item, select Repair to complete configuration using Repair Assistant.
Note: If you encounter any issues navigating these diagnostic screens, restart the Mac and try again.
Follow instructions on the Mac screen to select and run diagnostic test suites. Then examine the diagnostic test results.
How to run Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair on a Mac
Requirements
To use Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair to test a Mac, you'll need:
A Mac to be tested
Note: This must be a Mac with Apple silicon that has power and can start up in macOS. Intel-based Mac computers aren't supported in Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair.
Important: The Mac that you're testing must have macOS Sonoma 14.1 or later to run Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair. Beta versions of macOS aren't supported.
Refer to the following support articles for help identifying the Mac that you're testing:
If the Mac that you're testing doesn't turn on or start up, refer to the relevant troubleshooting section for power and startup issues:
A secondary device like an iPhone, iPad, PC, or another Mac to access the Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair website and diagnostic console. You can start and control a diagnostic session for the Mac that you're testing in the diagnostic console on the secondary device. The diagnostic console is supported on the following secondary devices:
An iPhone running iOS 13 or later or iPad running iPadOS 13 or later with Safari
A Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15 or later with Safari
A PC with Firefox 59 or later, Chrome 55 or later, or Microsoft Edge 12 or later
A Wi-Fi or wired internet connection on the Mac to be tested
A Wi-Fi, cellular, or wired internet connection on the secondary device
Prepare the Mac you're testing
If you're able to install the latest macOS updates, do so before continuing.
Shut down the Mac to be tested.
Unplug all external devices except the keyboard, mouse, and display (if applicable).
Ensure that the Mac is on a hard, flat, stable surface with good ventilation.
For Mac desktops, connect the AC power cord to the computer. For Mac laptops, connect the computer’s power adapter and charging cable to the computer.
Start Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair on the secondary device
On the secondary device, go to https://getsupport.apple.com/self-service-diagnostics from a browser.
Click or tap Continue on the Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair page.
Choose Mac.
Enter diagnostics mode on the Mac you're testing
If you're using a wired Ethernet connection to connect the Mac you're testing to the internet, connect the Ethernet cable to the Mac before turning on the computer. If you're using Wi-Fi, you will connect later in step 5 after the computer starts into diagnostics mode.
Press and hold the power button on the Mac to be tested to turn on the computer. On laptop computers that have Touch ID, press and hold the Touch ID button.
As you continue to hold the power or Touch ID button, the Mac will turn on and load startup options. When you see Loading startup options..., release the power or Touch ID button.
When the startup options screen appears, press and hold Command (⌘)-D on the Mac's keyboard to enter diagnostics mode.
To connect the Mac you're testing to the internet using Wi-Fi, choose the network from the Wi-Fi menu in the upper right corner of the diagnostics mode screen.
Note: The Wi-Fi menu may take a few seconds to appear. This is normal behavior.
Choose a language and click OK on the screen.
Enroll in and start a diagnostic session
From the Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair page on the secondary device, enter the serial number of the Mac you're testing into the serial number entry field. You can find the serial number in the lower left corner of the diagnostics screen of the Mac you're testing.
From the Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair page on the secondary device, click or tap Start Session. If the Mac is unable to enroll in a diagnostic session, click or tap Try again.
On the Mac you're testing, click I agree on the diagnostics screen.
Note: If the Mac you’re testing isn't running macOS 14.1 or later, it won't be able to connect to the diagnostic session and a message will appear to update the Mac.
After you've successfully enrolled the Mac you're testing, you can then select a diagnostic test suite on the secondary device to test the Mac. Follow instructions and view diagnostic test results on the secondary device.
Available diagnostic test suites
Diagnostic Suite | Laptop | Modular Desktop | iMac |
|---|---|---|---|
Mac Resource Inspector (MRI) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Display Anomalies | Yes | No | Yes |
Keyboard | Yes | No | No |
Trackpad | Yes | No | No |
Touch ID | Yes | No | No |
Audio | Yes | Yes1 | Yes |
Mac Resource Inspector (MRI)
This diagnostic test suite is a quick triage tool that checks for the presence of hardware components and performs a series of short tests to verify hardware functionality.
Display Anomalies
This interactive diagnostic test suite displays a series of colors and patterns that assist in identifying pixel anomalies and debris.
Keyboard
This interactive diagnostic test suite prompts the user to verify that each key on the keyboard responds correctly when pressed, that the keyboard backlight is visible, and that the Caps Lock key light is functional.
Trackpad
This interactive diagnostic test suite prompts the user to verify that all areas of the trackpad respond to touch.
Touch ID
This interactive diagnostic test suite runs a series of automated tests to verify the presence of Touch ID. It then instructs the user to place a finger on the Touch ID sensor to verify functionality.
Audio
For Mac laptops and iMac: This interactive diagnostic test suite plays a set of chordal tones through the internal speakers and listens for those same tones through the built-in microphones, to verify speaker and microphone functionality.
1For Mac modular desktops: This interactive diagnostic test suite plays a set of chordal tones through the internal speaker and prompts the user to verify the tones were audible and not distorted. This verifies speaker functionality.
Caution: The Audio diagnostic suite plays loud test tones through the speakers. Be aware of your surroundings before running this test suite. Run this test suite in a quiet environment for best results.
Note: The Audio diagnostic test suite requires headphones to check the headphone jack.