From academic work involving mathematics, physics, or any science discipline, to professional fields like engineering or data science, the ability to type exponents efficiently on your Mac could save time and enhance your communication clarity.

How to Type Exponents Across Different Applications

Different apps on your Mac require different approaches to type exponents, as they each have their unique keyboard shortcuts and formatting rules.

Typing Exponents in Microsoft Word

When you’re working in Microsoft Word, all you need to do is select the number that you want to turn into an exponent, then click Home > Superscript. Your number is now an exponent. Alternatively, you can use the Command + Shift + + keyboard shortcut.

Typing Exponents in Google Docs

For Google Docs, you’d highlight the number and then click Format > Text > Superscript. You can use the Command + , keyboard shortcut, too. Just don’t get it confused with the keyboard shortcut in Microsoft Word.

Typing Exponents in Text Editors or Coding Platforms

In text editors or coding platforms, you often have to use the ^ symbol to denote an exponent due to the lack of formatting options. While it might not be visually appealing as in word processors, it’s a widely recognized notation.

Typing Exponents in Emails and Notes

If you’re writing an email or note where formatting options are limited, you can access a variety of superscript numbers through the ‘Emoji & Symbols‘ option (Control + Command + Space) on your Mac keyboard. Search superscript in the search box to find them. Using this method, you can insert the correct superscript number to indicate an exponent.

Remember, each application has its own rules and methods. Mastering them will streamline your typing process and ensure that your exponents are consistently and correctly presented, no matter the platform.

These involve simple fixes like restarting Finder and checking your system’s display settings to advanced troubleshooting measures such as an NVRAM reset and booting into Safe Mode. This troubleshooting tutorial will guide you through multiple ways to fix a missing or unresponsive Mac menu bar.

1. Force-Relaunch Finder

If the Mac menu bar disappears or stops responding, a simple and effective solution is to force-restart Finder. This is because Finder manages essential user interface elements and force-quitting and relaunching it refreshes its processes and settings. Here’s how:

1. Press Command + Option + Escape to open the Force Quit Applications dialog.
2. Highlight Finder and select Relaunch.
3. Select Relaunch to confirm.

2. Force-Restart SystemUIServer

If you have trouble relaunching Finder, force-restart SystemUIServer—the underlying process behind Finder—through the Activity Monitor on your Mac. To do that:

1. Open the Launchpad and select Other > Activity Monitor.
2. Make sure you’re on the CPU tab.
3. Select the SystemUIServer process.
4. Select the Stop button on top of the window.
5. Select Force-Quit. macOS should shut down and automatically relaunch the SystemUIServer process.

3. Force-Restart Problematic Applications

If a specific application is causing problems with menu bar items or its right-side status menu won’t work, force-quitting and relaunching it almost always resolves the issue. To do that:

1. Press Command + Option + Escape to open the Force Quit Applications dialog.
2. Highlight the app in question and select Force-Quit.
3. Relaunch the program.

Alternatively:

1. Open the Launchpad and select Other > Activity Monitor.
2. Select the application process under CPU—use the Search bar at the top right of the window to locate it faster.
3. Select Stop.
4. Select Force-Quit.
5. Relaunch the program.

4. Update Problematic Applications

If the Mac menu bar issues recur with a particular program, consider updating it to its latest version. To do that:

1. Open the Mac App Store.
2. Select Updates on the sidebar.
3. Select Update next to the app in question.

If you installed the app outside the App Store, look for a Check for Updates option (or something similar) within the app to install newer updates. You can also remove the application and reinstall its latest version from the developer’s website.

5. Restart Your Mac

Restarting your Mac is a straightforward yet powerful troubleshooting step for various software-related issues, including menu bar problems. The procedure allows macOS to clear temporary files, refresh system processes, and resolve glitches affecting the menu bar.

Since you can’t access the Apple menu, the following alternative method should help you restart your MacBook Pro/Air, iMac, or Mac mini:

1. Hold down the Control key and press the Power button.
2. Uncheck the box next to Reopen windows when logging back in.
3. Select the button labeled Restart.

Alternatively, press and hold the Power button to initiate a forced shutdown. Then, release and press it again to turn on your Mac.

6. Stop the Menu Bar From Automatically Hiding Itself

macOS comes with an option that automatically hides the menu bar—on the desktop, in full-screen mode, or both—when you aren’t actively using it. If the menu bar icons are missing but pop up when you move the cursor to the top of the screen, this is likely the problem. Here’s how to turn it off:

1. Open the Launchpad and select System Settings.
2. Select Desktop & Dock on the sidebar.
3. Open the dropdown menu next to Automatically hide and show the menu bar and choose Never.

Note: In macOS Monterey and earlier, go to Launchpad > System Preferences > Dock & Menu and disable the checkboxes next to Automatically hide and show the menu bar on desktop/in full screen.

7. Reduce Transparency Effects

Transparency effects on the Mac impact the menu bar’s visibility. Disabling them improves contrast and legibility. To do that:

1. Open the Launchpad and select System Settings.
2. Select Accessibility.
3. Select Display.
4. Disable the switch next to Reduce transparency.

Note: In macOS Monterey and earlier, go to Launchpad > Accessibility > Display and uncheck the box next to Reduce transparency.

8. Disable Scaled Resolutions

Scaled resolutions in macOS cause the menu bar to appear incorrectly or not show up at all, especially on external third-party monitors. They also induce performance issues when interacting with menu bar items. To revert to the default resolution:

1. Open the Launchpad and select System Settings.
2. Select Displays on the sidebar.
3. Switch to the Default resolution.

Note: In macOS Monterey and earlier, go to Launchpad > System Preferences > Displays and check the radio button next to Default for Display.

9. Update Your Mac

The latest macOS software updates are crucial for overall macOS performance and stability. They also help address known software-related bugs and conflicts that impact the functionality of core system components. To update a Mac to its latest compatible version:

1. Open the Launchpad and select System Settings.
2. Select General.
3. Select Software Update.
4. Select Update Now if there’s an update available.

Note: In macOS Monterey and earlier, go to Launchpad > System Preferences > Software Update and select Update Now.

10. Disable Unwanted Startup Items

Various third-party applications or services set to launch at system startup often interfere with how the top menu bar on your Mac functions. Disable login items to identify conflicts. Here’s how.

1. Open the Apple menu and select System Settings.
2. Select General.
3. Select Login Items.
4. Highlight each item within the list and select the Minus icon.
5. Restart your Mac.
6. If the problem goes away, re-add the login items individually or in batches until you isolate the problematic application or service. If you manage to do that, keep the item disabled, update the related application, or uninstall it.

Note: In macOS Monterey and earlier, go to Launchpad > System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items and uncheck the boxes within the startup items list.

11. Boot Into Safe Mode

Safe Mode on the Mac disables non-essential software and drivers, prevents third-party applications from launching at startup, and clears various forms of data within the application and system caches. Booting into it alone could fix problems with the menu bar.

Enter Safe Mode on Intel Macs

1. Turn off your Mac.
2. Hold down the Shift key and press the Power button.
3. Wait until your Mac boots into Safe Mode.

Enter Safe Mode on Apple Silicon Macs

1. Turn off your Mac.
2. Press and hold the Power button until you reach the Startup Options screen.
3. Hold the Shift key.
4. Select Continue in Safe Mode under Macintosh HD.
5. Wait until your Mac boots into Safe Mode.

What to Do in Safe Mode

After booting your Mac into Safe Mode, check if the menu bar functions without issues. If it does, log out from your user account and restart your Mac normally. If it doesn’t, manually clear the system and application caches on Mac, re-enter Safe Mode, and check again.

12. Reset the NVRAM (Intel Macs Only)

Resetting the NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory) resolves various hardware and software-related issues on your Mac, including missing or unresponsive macOS user interface elements. This fix applies to Intel Macs only.

1. Turn off your Mac—use the Command + Power keyboard shortcut or press and hold the Power button to initiate a forced shutdown.
2. Press the Power button to turn your Mac back on.
3. Immediately press and hold the Command, Option, Control, and R keys.
4. Release the four buttons once your Mac chimes twice or when you see the Apple logo for the second time.

Optionally, follow up by clearing the Mac’s System Management Controller (SMC).

Get Your Mac’s Menu Bar Working Correctly Again

Encountering issues with the Mac menu bar can be frustrating, but you can get rid of them fairly easily with standard troubleshooting. Keep some of the more straightforward fixes—force-relaunching Finder, shutting down the SystemUIServer process, restarting your Mac, etc.—in mind so you know what to do the next time you run into a menu bar-related problem. Contact Apple Support if you need additional help.

Use the Tilde Key

If you simply want to type the tilde symbol, for a mathematical equation or an approximate amount, you can use the tilde key on your Mac keyboard.

Press and hold Shift, then press the Back Quote key. This is on the upper left of your keyboard below the Esc key and you can see the tilde above the back quote on the key.

Note: On an international keyboard layout such as a U.K. keyboard, this key is to the left of the Z key as shown in the screenshot below.

Use the Character Viewer

Like the Character Map on Windows, you can use the Character Viewer on macOS to find the special character you want. If you want to use the tilde sign with or without a letter, you can simply drag it to your note or document.

1. To open the Character Viewer, either select Edit > Emoji & Symbols from the menu bar or use the keyboard shortcut Command + Control + Space.

2. When the viewer displays, type tilde into the Search box. You’ll see the tilde in the list of results along with letters using the tilde symbol.

3. Simply drag the tilde or letter to the spot where you want it or double-click to insert it in your cursor’s location.

You can then close the Character Viewer using the X on the top left like any other window on Mac.

Use a Keyboard Shortcut

You can also use a keyboard shortcut to type the tilde. With this method, you can type the tilde on its own or place it over a letter for an accent such as an N for Spanish or A for Portuguese.

Press and hold the Option key and letter N. When you see the tilde appear, use your Enter key to save it.

To add that tilde to a letter, type that letter directly following Option + N. For instance, to type the accent over the letter A, you’d press and hold Option + N, release both keys, and type A.

To make the letter with the accent uppercase, hold the Shift key as you type it. For example, to type the accent over the uppercase letter A, you’d press and hold Option + N, release both keys, hold Shift, and type A.

Use the Shortcut Menu

If you only want to use the tilde to accent a letter, you can also use the accent shortcut menu on Mac.

Press and hold the letter on your keyboard that you want to accent with a tilde. When you see the shortcut menu appear above the letter, select the letter with your mouse or trackpad or enter the number corresponding to the letter with the tilde.

Now that you know how to type a tilde on your Apple keyboard, check out this list of Excel keyboard shortcuts for Mac too.

Rarely, however, CoreServicesUIAgent—the macOS process that handles verification—can get stuck and display a “Verifying Microsoft Outlook” pop-up indefinitely.

This guide will walk you through multiple ways to fix the “Verifying Microsoft Outlook” issue on a MacBook, iMac, or Mac mini. From simple troubleshooting steps to more advanced techniques, we’ll help you get Microsoft’s email client up and running normally again.

1. Force-Quit and Relaunch Outlook

When you encounter a stuck “Verifying Microsoft Outlook” pop-up on your Mac, your first action should be to force-quit Microsoft Outlook and the CoreServicesUIAgent process. Relaunching Microsoft’s email client from scratch often eliminates random glitches with verification.

You must use the Activity Monitor in macOS to end both processes. Here’s how:

1. Open the Launchpad and select Other > Activity Monitor.

2. Under the CPU tab, highlight the Microsoft Outlook process and choose Stop.

3. Select Force-Quit.

4. Next, highlight the coreservicesuiagent process and select Stop > Force-Quit.

Tip: Use the Activity Monitor’s Search box to locate the Microsoft Outlook and CoreServicesUIAgent processes faster.

2. Restart Your Mac

Restart your Mac if the “Verifying Microsoft Outlook” issue persists. It sounds cliché, but a macOS reboot clears loads of temporary bugs and conflicts preventing core processes from working correctly. To do that:

1. Open the Apple menu and select Restart.

2. Uncheck Reopen windows when logging back in (this prompts macOS to relaunch applications with a fresh slate after the reboot) and select Restart again.

3. Update Microsoft Outlook and Other Microsoft Apps

Keeping Microsoft Outlook updated is crucial for addressing compatibility issues that lead to potential verification issues on the Mac. A background utility called Microsoft AutoUpdate handles updates automatically, but it’s best to double-check to be sure.

If Outlook launches despite the “Verifying Microsoft Outlook” error, select Help > Check for Updates on the menu bar.

On the Microsoft AutoUpdate window that launches, select Update next to Microsoft Outlook if new updates are available. We also recommend you update other Microsoft apps while you’re at it.

If the email client fails to launch, here’s what you can do to invoke Microsoft AutoUpdate manually:

1. Right-click the Finder icon on the Dock and select Go to Folder.

2. Type the following path and press Enter:
   /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MAU2.0

3. Double-click Microsoft AutoUpdate.

4. Select Check for Updates and wait until Microsoft AutoUpdate scans for newer Microsoft updates.

5. Select Update next to Microsoft Outlook. If there are multiple pending Microsoft app updates, select Update All.

4. Provide Microsoft Outlook Full Disk Access

Next, give Microsoft Outlook elevated disk permissions on your Mac and check if that fixes the “Verifying Microsoft Outlook” issue. Here’s how:

1. Open the Apple menu and select System Settings.

2. Go to Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access.

3. Open a Finder window, select Applications, and drag and drop Microsoft Outlook into the System Settings window.

4. Authenticate the action with Touch ID or your Mac user account password.

5. Scroll down the list of Full Disk Access apps and ensure the switch next to Microsoft Outlook is active.

If your Mac runs macOS Monterey or an older system software version, open the Apple menu, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Security > Full Disk Access, and follow steps 4–7.

5. Update Your Mac

Updating macOS could fix known problems with app verification. To install the latest system software updates on your Mac:

1. Open the System Settings app and select General > Software Update.

2. Select Update Now.

In macOS Monterey and earlier, open the Apple menu and go to System Preferences > Software Update to update the system software.

6. Run an Anti-Malware Scan

Macs aren’t immune to malware, and application verifications issues could be a symptom of an infection. If the “Verifying Microsoft Outlook” issue persists, run a security scan with an anti-malware application to detect and remove potential threats.

For example, here’s how to use the free version of Malwarebytes for Mac.

1. Download and install Malwarebytes.
2. Open the anti-malware tool and choose Scanner.

3. Select Scan.

4. Wait until the anti-malware tool scans your system for malware.
5. Review the scan report and follow the recommendations to repair, delete, or quarantine infected items.

7. Launch Outlook in Safe Mode

Your Mac’s Safe Mode helps prevent conflicting system settings, startup programs, and kernel extensions from interfering with Microsoft Outlook verification.

If you use an Intel Mac:

1. Turn off your Mac.
2. Hold down the Shift key and press the Power button.
3. Your Mac should boot into Safe Mode momentarily.

If you use an Apple Silicon Mac:

1. Turn off your Mac.
2. Hold the Power button until you reach the Startup Options screen.
3. Select Macintosh HD.
4. Hold the Shift key and select Continue in Safe Mode.
5. Your Mac should boot into Safe Mode momentarily.

After booting your Mac into Safe Mode, launch Outlook and check if the verification process completes. To get out of Safe Mode, reboot your Mac normally. Learn more about troubleshooting a Mac in Safe Mode.

8. Remove and Reinstall Outlook

If the “Verifying Microsoft Outlook” issue persists, removing and setting up Microsoft Outlook on your Mac from scratch could fix the problem. To do that:

1. Open a Finder window and select Applications.
2. Right-click Microsoft Outlook and select Move to Trash. Repeat for other Microsoft Office apps on your Mac—e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

3. Visit Office.com, select Install apps, and download the latest Microsoft Office installer.

4. Run the Microsoft Office installer and follow all on-screen instructions to reinstall the application.

If the “Verifying Microsoft Outlook” error appears immediately after installation, use the Installer app in macOS to reinstall Microsoft Office. Uninstall all Office apps again, and then:

1. Open a Finder window and select Go > Go to Folder.
2. Type the following path and press Enter:

/System/Library/CoreServices/Installer

3. Double-click Installer.

4. Select the Microsoft Office PKG file from your Mac’s Downloads folder.

5. Select Continue and follow all on-screen instructions of the Installer app to reinstall Microsoft Office.

9. Disable GateKeeper in macOS

GateKeeper is a security feature on macOS that regulates app installations to prevent unknown or harmful programs from running.

If you’re positive you downloaded Microsoft Outlook from the Microsoft website, consider disabling GateKeeper temporarily to deactivate the CoreServicesUIAgent process and avoid verification.

Ever since Apple rebranded Mac OS X to macOS in 2016, the only way to disable GateKeeper is through Terminal. Here’s how:

1. Open the Launchpad and select Other > Terminal.
2. Run the following command:

sudo spctl –master-disable

3. Exit Terminal.

To re-enable GateKeeper, run the command below in a Terminal window:

sudo spctl –master-enable

10. Switch to the App Store Version of Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is also available as a standalone version on the Mac’s App Store, similar to the iPhone and iPad. Consider switching if none of the previously mentioned fixes work for you.

1. Open the Applications folder and move Microsoft Outlook into the Trash.
2. Open the Mac App Store and search for Microsoft Outlook.
3. Select Get.

4. Select Install.
5. Select Open and sign in with your Microsoft Account credentials.

You can also download and install other Office apps from the App Store. For example, if you encounter verification issues with apps like Word and Excel, consider switching to their App Store versions.

Overcome Microsoft Outlook Verification Hurdles

The “Verifying Microsoft Outlook” issue on a Mac can be frustrating, but you can make it disappear with the right solutions. From quick fixes like force-quitting and relaunching Outlook to advanced troubleshooting measures such as launching the program in Safe Mode, at least one of the methods above should work.

By following the steps outlined in each section of this tutorial, you should be able to address specific underlying causes of verification problems with Outlook on your Mac. Remember to try the solutions in the order presented, moving from straightforward methods to advanced techniques if necessary.

Python 2 used to be included in macOS, but it’s no longer supported for security reasons. Only Python 3 is officially supported. While you can install it on your Mac alongside Python 2, having the two versions installed together isn’t recommended.

You may not need Python at all, or you may just want the latest version installed. If you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to know how to completely uninstall Python on your Mac. To remove Python from your Mac, follow the steps below.

Identifying Python Versions on Your Mac

Depending on your version of macOS, you might have two (or more) versions of Python installed. These are usually split between versions of Python 2 and Python 3. Python 2 was included by default in macOS up until it was removed in Monterey 12.3 and later versions.

If you’re going to remove Python from your Mac, you need to identify which version is installed first. You can do this by following the steps below.

Using Terminal

1. Open Terminal on your Mac by pressing Command + Space to bring up the Spotlight Search bar.
2. In Spotlight, type Terminal and press Enter.

3. Type and run python –version in the Terminal to see the Python 2 version installed on your Mac (if any). If this doesn’t work, there’s no Python 2 installed.
4. Next, type and run python3 –version in the Terminal to see if Python 3 is installed on your Mac and, if so, what version it is.

Keep in mind that if you have multiple Python installations, these commands will display the version for the Python installation associated with the current path configuration.

Checking Applications Folder

You can also check for any manual Python installations in the Applications folder. To do this, follow these steps.

1. Open Finder on your Mac.
2. Navigate to the Applications folder by clicking on the Go menu in Finder and then selecting Applications from the drop-down menu.

3. Look for any Python-related application folders, such as “Python 3.x” or “Python 2.x“, where x denotes a specific version number (eg. Python 3.11).

Remember that various Python versions can co-exist on your Mac computer, so it’s important to identify which versions are installed before attempting to perform any modifications.

Manually Uninstalling Python from macOS

Removing Python manually from your Mac will require you to remove files from two different locations. This includes the framework files (the core files needed for Python applications to run) and the Python executable files themselves.

Removing Python Framework Files

To manually uninstall Python framework files from your Mac, follow the steps below.

1. Open Finder, press Go > Go to Folder, then type and select /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework in the pop-up box.

2. If you have multiple versions of Python installed, identify the specific version folder you wish to uninstall, such as Python 2 or Python 3.x.x, in the Versions sub-folder.

3. Before proceeding with deletion, make sure you’ve backed up any essential data or projects you may have developed using this version of Python.
4. Next, open the Terminal app.
5. In the Terminal, type and run the following command to remove the Python folder, replacing /Path/To/Python.framework with the actual path to the Python folder you wish to delete, and using extreme caution not to type in the wrong folder path: sudo rm -rf /Path/To/Python.framework (eg. sudo rm -rf /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.9/).
6. You might be prompted to enter your administrator password to execute this command. Enter your password and confirm the deletion to proceed.

Removing Python from the /usr/local/bin Directory

Python installation typically adds executables to the /usr/local/bin folder. If you’ve removed Python files using the steps above, you’ll need to remove any matching executables or syslinks for Python (the Terminal shortcuts to it) to avoid compatibility issues later.

1. To remove these executables, open Terminal, and list all Python-related files in the /usr/local/bin directory by entering the following command in Terminal: ls -l /usr/local/bin | grep ‘python’
2. This command will display all files that contain the word ‘python.’ Identify the files associated with the version of Python you wish to uninstall.

• To remove these files, enter and run the following command in Terminal, replacing file_name with the actual name of the file you want to delete and using extreme caution before executing the command: sudo rm -rf /usr/local/bin/file_name
  

At this point, all of the relevant files for your chosen Python version will be removed. Repeat these steps to remove each Python-related file associated with the specific version you’re uninstalling. You can also repeat these steps for other Python versions that you wish to remove.

Using Homebrew to Uninstall Python

Homebrew is a popular, third-party package management tool for macOS that you can use from the Terminal. You’ll often use it if you want to install third-party Mac applications without using the App Store.

If you’ve installed Python on your Mac using Homebrew, you can easily uninstall it using the same tool by following these steps.

1. Open the Terminal app on your Mac.
2. In the Terminal, type and run the brew list command. This will list any installed packages that you’ve previously installed via Homebrew (eg. python@3.11 for Python 3.11).

• To uninstall these Python packages, type and run the brew uninstall python_package command in the Terminal, replacing python_package with the appropriate package name you identified in the previous step (eg. brew uninstall python@3.9).
• After removing the packages, type and run brew cleanup python_package to remove any additional (and now unnecessary) files, replacing python_package with the correct name (eg. brew cleanup python@3.9).
  

At this point, the version of Python that you installed using Homebrew has been removed. If you’ve installed multiple versions, however, you may need to repeat these steps to remove those versions next.

Using Python on your Mac

If you need to completely uninstall Python on your Mac, the steps above will help you get the job done. That said, don’t be afraid to give Python a try if you’re looking to create your own applications, as it’s one of the easiest programming languages to learn.

A good way to expand your Python knowledge is to try out new Python packages. You can do this by installing Python PIP, a package installer that allows you to easily install and manage third-party modules.

You’ll need to be comfortable using the Terminal app, however. You can try out some important Terminal commands to manage your macOS system next.

Whether you own a MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or another one of Apple’s MacBook models, these tips apply to you.

1. DO: Shut Down and Power Off Immediately

The first thing to do after a water spill is to shut down your MacBook immediately. The power button, usually located at the top right corner of the MacBook keyboard, is your first line of defense. Press and hold it until your MacBook powers off. This will help prevent a short circuit, which could inflict irreversible damage to your MacBook’s internal components, such as the CPU, SSD, or hard drive.

2. DON’T: Shake Your MacBook

Avoid shaking your MacBook in an attempt to remove the water. This can cause the liquid to spread, potentially reaching areas it hadn’t already and causing more damage.

3. DON’T: Use a Hairdryer to Dry Your MacBook

While it might be tempting to grab a hairdryer to speed up the drying process, avoid doing so. The heat from a hairdryer can cause further damage to your MacBook’s internal components and can warp the silicone parts. Instead, let your MacBook air dry in a cool, dry environment.

Don’t feel tempted to use any additional heat source to make your Mac dry faster. That includes leaving it in a sunny location, even if that location is indoors and the sun is coming through a window. Electronics are more vulnerable to heat than most people think! Also, while we hate that it has to be said, don’t put anything electronic in the microwave. That’s not how microwaves work.

4. DO: Use Paper Towels to Absorb Liquid

Take a soft, absorbent paper towel and gently dab (don’t rub!) at the water spill. This method can help remove some of the liquid from the surface of your MacBook.

As long as some part of the absorbent towel is touching the liquid, it should wick up into the material. Patience is key here; we know you’re panicking, but it’s important not to make things worse.

5. DON’T: Plug in Your Charger or Any Peripherals

Do not plug your MacBook into its charger or connect any peripherals, like a USB drive, until you’re sure it’s completely dry. Doing so could cause a short circuit. Wait at least 48 hours before attempting to power on your MacBook after a water spill.

If any of your peripherals got wet during the incident, even if they weren’t powered on at the time, use the same basic principles to dry them and wait the same amount of time before trying to use them again.

6. DO: Turn Your MacBook Upside Down

Once you’ve powered off your MacBook and dabbed the water spill with a paper towel, turn your MacBook upside down. This position will allow any remaining water to drain out and evaporate rather than seep further into the MacBook’s internal components, such as the logic board.

Be very careful when inverting your laptop. Modern MacBook have thin, fragile screens. So propping your laptop up in a “tent” configuration could damage the screen by subjecting it to loads it wasn’t designed for.

Instead, you might want to turn your laptop upside down on a pillow covered with a soft towel. Be very careful not to scratch the MacBook’s screen.

7. DON’T: Attempt to Service Your Own MacBook

If AppleCare doesn’t cover your MacBook, you might be tempted to perform your own water damage repair. However, this is risky and could lead to further damage. Instead, take your water-damaged MacBook to an authorized Apple service provider or a reputable repair shop.

Although things have changed with more recent Apple computers, most of the Macs out there aren’t really designed to be user repairable. Even if you’re savvy enough to open your Mac and inspect it yourself, water damage isn’t necessarily apparent to the naked eye. Someone with the correct inspection and testing equipment can check for corrosion or individual component problems.

8. DO: Contact Apple or a Trusted Repair Shop

Don’t hesitate to contact Apple or a trusted repair shop immediately after the incident. Apple offers diagnostics that can assess the extent of the liquid damage to your MacBook. It’s worth mentioning that water damage isn’t typically covered under warranty, but if you’ve invested in AppleCare+, you might have some protection depending on the specific terms and conditions of your plan.

Also, if your computer is insured with your insurance company, there’s a good chance it’s covered for both accidental damage in addition to theft. Don’t assume that because you’re out of warranty there’s no recourse!

9. DON’T: Assume Your MacBook Is the Same as Your iPhone or iPad

While newer iPhone and iPad models have water-resistant features, this isn’t the case for MacBooks. Therefore, don’t assume that your MacBook can handle a liquid spill as well as your iOS gadgets can.

Because laptops are not monolithic, it’s much harder to make them water-resistant. While you wouldn’t dunk your iPad or iPhone in a pool, a few splashes of water probably wouldn’t hurt them in any way. While a glass of water can spell the end for a MacBook, or any laptop really.

10. DO: Remove Any Removable Components

If your MacBook model has any removable components, like the MacBook battery, remove them. This will help these parts air dry separately, potentially reducing corrosion.

Unfortunately, MacBooks have not had removable batteries in over a decade as of this writing, so unless you’re still using one of these Macs (many people are!) the battery is glued-in and best left where it is.

11. DON’T: Forget to Back Up Your Data

Always ensure that you regularly back up your data. You never know when a water spill or another accident might occur. If the liquid spill has damaged the hard drive or SSD, having a backup can save you from losing important documents and data.

Unfortunately, modern MacBooks don’t have removable storage, and hardware encryption protects the data on the disk from being extracted. However, even if you didn’t manually back up your system, there’s a good chance your crucial documents have been uploaded to iCloud. So if your laptop has been permanently damaged by liquid making it impossible to get your data back, check your iCloud account with a web browser and see if anything has been automatically saved.

12. DON’T: Use a Desiccant

For water to evaporate, drier air is better. So it seems to make sense that making the air less humid will encourage water to evaporate from every nook and cranny of your device. You can buy a desiccant dehumidifier pack from most supermarkets and put them in a cupboard or container along with your MacBook.

However, just like using dry rice as a desiccant is pointless, this won’t do anything to help your MacBook. As explained by iFixit (who discontinued their own Thirsty Bag desiccant product) corrosion and shorts happen the moment the liquid touches the electronic components. The only real solution is to use chemicals that can remove the corrosion before it spreads.

13. DON’T: Neglect the Trackpad, Keyboard, and Touchpad

The trackpad, keyboard, and touchpad are more vulnerable to water damage than you might think. If these components get wet, they could potentially become unresponsive. Make sure to wipe them down thoroughly with a dry, lint-free cloth and let them air dry. Paper towels are too rough for screens or touchpads, so a soft lint-free cloth is probably a better choice on balance, but just as with your towel-based drying, don’t rub too hard!

14. DO: Consider a Protective Case

Invest in a protective case for your MacBook. While this won’t make your MacBook water-resistant, it can provide a first line of defense against minor spills. Some cases even have silicone components that can help protect against liquid damage.

That’s not much help if your laptop was open, but anything is better than no protection at all.

15. DO: Check Your MacOS and Software

Once your MacBook is dry and you’ve powered it back on, make sure to check your MacOS and other software for any signs of glitching or failure. Water damage can sometimes affect the performance of your software, so keep an eye out for anything unusual.

If you’re lucky enough to have a MacBook that still powers on after a spill, don’t take it for granted. Make backups of your data as soon as possible, in case it stops working again thanks to damage from liquid exposure.

Spilling water on your MacBook doesn’t have to spell disaster. By following these dos and don’ts, you can prevent further damage, safeguard your data, and maximize the chances of a successful repair.

Remember, when in doubt, it’s best to consult with professionals at an Apple store or a trusted repair shop. They have the tools and expertise to manage water damage repair and can provide you with the best possible outcome.

1. View the Finder Sidebar

The fastest way to open the Mac Applications folder is from your Finder sidebar.

Open a new Finder window and display the sidebar. You can do this by selecting View > Show Sidebar if it’s hidden.

Select Applications in the Favorites section below the Downloads folder and you’ll see it open right up.

2. Open the Finder Go Menu

Another quick way to open the Applications folder is using the Finder Go menu. With Finder active, select Go in the menu bar and choose Applications.

3. Use a Keyboard Shortcut

One more way to use Finder to open the Applications folder is with a Mac keyboard shortcut. With Finder active, use the shortcut Shift + Command + A and you’ll see the folder open.

4. Open Spotlight Search

If you use the Spotlight Search feature to locate items on your Mac, you can also use it to open the Applications folder.

Select the Search button in your menu bar, enter “Applications,” and hit Return.

You’ll see various results for your search term. Scroll down until you see the Applications folder and select it to open the folder.

5. Access Launchpad

An easy way to get to the app you want without technically opening the Applications folder is with Launchpad.

Select the Launchpad icon in your Dock. You’ll then see all of your Apple apps, third-party applications, and subfolders. You can choose one to open it or use the Search field to find the one you want.

6. Add the Applications Folder to Your Dock

If you find yourself opening the Applications folder several times a day, you can place it in your Dock for the easiest access of all.

Open Finder, drag the Applications folder to the right side of your Dock, and release. You can also right-click Applications in the Finder sidebar and choose Add to Dock in the drop-down menu.

You’ll then see the Applications icon in your Dock.

Simply click to open and view all of your Mac apps and third-party tools and select one to launch it.

You can also right-click the icon to do things like sort the contents, display the icon as a folder, and view the content in a different layout.

If you decide to remove the folder from this spot later, right-click, move to Options, and pick Remove from Dock.

With these simple ways to open your Applications folder on Mac, you’ll always have the apps you need at your fingertips.

While an older version of Python does come preinstalled with some versions of macOS, you’ll probably need to install a newer version. To help you, we’ll explain how to install and run Python on your Mac below.

Do I Need to Install Python on macOS?

As a Mac user, you might wonder if you need to install Python on your system. The answer is probably yes—for two important reasons.

The first reason is compatibility. If you’re running macOS Monterey 12.2 or earlier, you probably have Python 2.7 pre-installed. However, Python 3 is the latest version and has significantly improved features compared to Python 2.7. Python 2.7 is also old, no longer officially supported, and less secure than Python 3.

The second reason is much simpler—Python might not be installed at all. If you’re running macOS Monterey 12.3 or later, you’ll find that Apple has removed Python 2.7 from the installation completely. You’ll need to install Python again to continue.

To check the Python version on your Mac, open the Terminal application and type python –version. If it doesn’t run, or it lists 2.7 as the version, you should consider upgrading to a newer Python release.

You can use Python’s official installer, found on their website, or use a package manager like Homebrew to install the latest version of Python. To check if Python 3 is already installed, type python3 –version in the Terminal instead.

How to Install Python on macOS Using the Official Installer

The quickest way to install Python on macOS (whether the older 2.7 release or the newer Python 3 release) is to use the official installer from the Python website. To install Python this way, follow these steps.

1. Start by opening your web browser and visiting the Python download page. The website will automatically detect your operating system and display a download button which you can press to download the latest version of the Python installer for your Mac. If it doesn’t, click the macOS link and choose the latest Python release.

2. After downloading the installer package, open Finder, locate it in your downloads folder and double-click the file to begin the installation process.
3. Press Continue and follow the on-screen instructions to configure and install Python. You can choose between the default installation settings or customize them according to your preferences.

4. The installation process may take a few minutes. Once complete, you can verify the installation by opening the Terminal application on your Mac and running the python –version or python3 –version commands. The Terminal should show the correct version number of your Python installation.

5. To run Python, type python or python3 in the Terminal and press enter. This will allow you to type Python code directly into the Python terminal.

6. To exit, type exit() and press enter.

At this point, you’ve successfully installed Python on your Mac. You can now run your own Python scripts or applications or create your own. If you want, you can also install additional Python packages using the Python PIP installer.

How to Install Python on macOS Using Homebrew

An alternative method for installing Python on a Mac is to use Homebrew. Homebrew is a third-party package manager for macOS that allows you to quickly install applications using the terminal, replicating a Linux-style experience for your Mac.

Ironically, Homebrew requires Python to be installed to work correctly, so installing Homebrew should ensure that a working Python installation is available, too.

To install Python on your Mac using Homebrew, follow these steps.

1. First, open your Terminal application and check if Homebrew is already installed by running this command: brew –version. If Homebrew is already installed, you’ll see its version number. If not, continue to the next step.

2. To install Homebrew, run this command in the Terminal: /bin/bash -c “$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install.sh)”. The script will explain what changes it will make and prompt you to approve them before the installation begins.

3. After Homebrew is installed, you can use it to install Python. To do this, type brew install python (or brew install python3) into the Terminal and press the enter key. This will install the latest version of Python available.

4. Afterward, run brew link python (or brew link python@3.XX (replacing XX with the correct version number) and restart the Terminal app to ensure the application works correctly.

5. Once Python is installed, you can check the version by running the python –version command in the Terminal (or python3 –version instead). This will show the installed version of Python 3.

6. To run Python, type python or python3 from the Terminal to launch the Python terminal. The version number will appear after the command runs to allow you to identify which version you’re loading.

7. Type exit() and press enter to exit at any point.

At this point, Python should be installed correctly, and you can begin to use it. Remember to keep your Homebrew and Python installations up-to-date by periodically running brew update and upgrade from the Terminal app.

Programming With Python on a Mac

Installing and running Python on your Mac is straightforward using the steps above. While older macOS releases might have Python 2.7 installed, installing a newer Python 3 release on your Mac is better.

Ready to become a programmer? If you’re a Python beginner, you can run python from the Terminal and start practicing today.

If you run into any problems running your own third-party apps, don’t forget to allow your Mac to run unverified apps next.

Apple’s Optimized Battery Charging feature, introduced with iOS 13, is an ingenious solution designed to prolong the lifespan of your device’s battery. This feature learns from your daily charging habits to adjust the charging process, reducing battery wear and extending its life.

In this article, we’ll explore what Optimized Battery Charging does, its benefits, any potential downsides, and how you can control this feature on your device.

The Science Behind Optimized Battery Charging

The beating heart of any portable device is its battery; in the case of Apple devices, that’s a lithium-ion battery. These batteries, like all rechargeable units, face a natural phenomenon known as chemical aging.

Chemical aging is more than just the passage of time; it’s a process influenced by several factors, such as the battery’s temperature history, charging patterns, and even the intensity of the tasks the device performs. As the battery chemically ages, its ability to hold a charge diminishes, reducing battery life and peak performance. In other words, the older the battery gets chemically, the less efficient it becomes.

Now, enter Optimized Battery Charging: a feature designed to slow down this inevitable process. The feature uses the power of machine learning, a type of artificial intelligence, to understand and adapt to your daily charging routines. This technology enables your device to make educated predictions about when it will be connected to a charger for an extended period.

Once the system anticipates an extended charging period, it regulates the charging process to reduce the wear on the battery. Specifically, it delays charging past 80% until it predicts you’re about to need your device. This approach avoids keeping the battery at full charge for prolonged periods, which can contribute to hastening the chemical aging process.

The Upsides of Optimized Battery Charging

Apple’s Optimized Battery Charging feature is not just a cool piece of tech; it brings tangible benefits that can significantly impact how you use and enjoy your Apple devices. By intelligently managing the charging process, this feature can slow down this aging process and extend the battery’s effective lifespan.

Extending your battery’s lifespan also means extending the device’s lifespan. Often, it’s not the device that fails us but the battery that powers it. With a healthier battery, your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook could remain functional and efficient for longer, providing you with better value for your investment.

Another significant benefit is the peace of mind of knowing your device is smart about its charging process. With the Optimized Battery Charging feature enabled, you can plug in your device and let Apple’s machine learning algorithm handle the rest. It removes the worry of overcharging or inadvertently damaging your battery by keeping it at full charge for too long.

Lastly, Optimized Battery Charging can help reduce electronic waste by maximizing battery health and extending device lifespan. It’s a small but significant way of being more environmentally conscious in our tech-driven world.

And Now for the Downsides

While Apple’s Optimized Battery Charging is an impressive feature that brings several benefits, it is not without its potential challenges.

One potential challenge stems from the very core of how Optimized Battery Charging works: it relies on learning your daily charging routine. If your charging habits are irregular or vary significantly daily, the feature might struggle to predict your charging needs accurately. For instance, if you’re a frequent traveler crossing multiple time zones, or your work schedule fluctuates dramatically, the algorithm might not correctly anticipate when to complete the charging cycle. This could lead to situations where your device is not fully charged when you need it to be.

Another possible issue relates to privacy. As the feature uses on-device machine learning to understand your charging habits and, in some cases, location data, some users might be concerned about this data being misused. However, Apple has been clear that none of the location information used for this feature is sent to the company, reassuring users about the privacy and security of their data.

While Optimized Battery Charging aims to prolong battery lifespan, there may be times when you need a quick full charge. In these instances, you might need to manually intervene and override the feature to ensure your device charges beyond 80%. While Apple does provide a “Charge Now” option when the feature is active, this does require an extra step on your part.

Finally, it’s worth noting that Optimized Battery Charging needs at least 14 days to learn your charging habits and requires at least 9 charges of 5 hours or more in a given location to engage. Therefore, for new devices or after a system reset, there may be a period where the benefits of this feature are not immediately apparent.

Managing Optimized Charging on Mac, iPad, and iPhone

While the Optimized Battery Charging feature offers numerous benefits, there might be circumstances when you wish to turn it off. Let’s take a look at how you can manage this feature on your Mac, iPad, and iOS devices.

Managing Optimized Charging on Mac

On your MacBook running macOS Catalina 10.15.5 or later, the Optimized Battery Charging feature is enabled by default. Here’s how you can disable it:

1. Select the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select System Settings.

2. Select Battery.
3. Next to Battery Health, select the “i” symbol.

4. In the dialog that appears, you’ll see Optimized battery charging. Toggle the feature off or on as you prefer.

Managing Optimized Charging on iPad

Things get weird with optimized charging and iPadOS. While it’s clear that iPads have battery optimization, there doesn’t seem to be any way to manually disable or manage the feature. Since some people use their iPads as mostly plugged-in computers these days, it makes sense to have this feature. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, we can’t find a way to turn it off.

Managing Optimized Charging on iPhone

On your iPhone running iOS 13 or later, Optimized Battery Charging is also enabled by default. If you wish to turn it off, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Scroll down and tap on Battery.

3. Tap Battery Health & Charging.

4. You’ll see Optimized Battery Charging. Toggle the switch off to disable the feature.

Optimized Battery Charging on AirPods Pro and AirPods (3rd Generation)

Optimized Battery Charging also extends to the AirPods Pro and AirPods (3rd generation). Like other Apple devices, these earbuds learn from your daily charging routine and delay charging past 80% until just before you need to use them. This feature is designed to reduce the wear on your AirPods’ battery and improve its lifespan by minimizing the time they spend fully charged.

This feature requires an iPhone or iPad and is on by default when setting up your device or after updating it to iOS or iPadOS 15 or later. To manage this feature for your AirPods Pro or AirPods (3rd generation), follow these steps:

1. Open the AirPods case.
2. On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > Bluetooth.

3. Tap the More Info button (indicated by an “i” in a circle) next to your AirPods Pro or AirPods (3rd generation) in the list of devices.
4. Here, you can turn off Optimized Battery Charging.

Optimized Battery Charging Is Location-Dependent

Optimized Battery Charging is designed to engage only in locations where you spend most of your time, like your home or workplace. It doesn’t activate when your usage habits are more variable, like when you travel. Thus, specific location settings must be enabled for Optimized Battery Charging to start. Once again, no location information is sent to Apple!

Optimized Battery Charging and Long-Term Device Usage

In our modern world, where digital devices are integral to our daily lives, battery longevity can significantly influence our experience with these devices. Apple’s Optimized Battery Charging feature is significant for preserving your device’s battery health and longevity.

While there may be minor potential downsides, such as occasional misalignment with irregular charging habits, these are significantly outweighed by the overall benefits. Also, Apple’s system customization options allow users to turn off this feature when necessary, balancing immediate charging needs and long-term battery health.

Given that none of Apple’s current iPhones, Macs, or iPads have user-removable batteries, this optimization feature should be embraced despite any occasional inconveniences it may cause. While it’s simple enough to disable this feature, we strongly recommend that everyone leaves it switched on.

It’s not difficult to download and install Chrome on a Mac, but you may need to consider some things before (such as your system requirements) and afterward (such as any extra configuration). To get started, follow the steps below.

System Requirements for Chrome on a Mac

Before downloading and installing Google Chrome on your Mac, ensure that your system meets the necessary requirements. This will ensure that the browser runs smoothly and efficiently on your device.

The main system requirement for Google Chrome on a Mac is that you’re running macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or later. High Sierra was released back in 2017, so a modern Mac should run Chrome.

If you’re unsure, check what macOS version you’re running first before you download Chrome. If you aren’t running High Sierra, you’ll need to update your Mac to a newer version.

Alternatively, you can try and download an older version of Chrome, but this isn’t recommended. Browser updates come with important security and bug fixes that could leave your Mac exposed to malware, so you should always try to run the latest version of Chrome on your Mac.

Downloading Google Chrome on a Mac

Before you can install Chrome, you’ll need to download the installation file for it first. Before you begin, ensure that you have a stable internet connection and you’re able to access the internet using Safari or another web browser.

One word of warning however. You should always make sure that you download the latest version of Chrome and only download it from the official Google Chrome website. Only the installer from Google itself is one that you can trust—otherwise, you may end up downloading malware instead.

To download Chrome, follow these steps.

1. Open the official Google Chrome website in Safari or another web browser on your Mac.
2. You’ll see the option to download Google Chrome on the page—press the Download Chrome button to begin.

3. Chrome will begin to download the googlechrome.dmg file. If it doesn’t, press the download Chrome manually link.

4. Once it’s complete, run the installer file to begin the installation.

Installing Google Chrome on a Mac

To download and install Google Chrome on your Mac, follow these simple steps.

1. If you haven’t already, download the installation file from the Google Chrome website using the steps above.
2. Locate the downloaded file (usually in your Downloads folder) and double-click on the googlechrome.dmg file to open it.

3. A window containing the Chrome icon will appear—drag the Chrome icon into your Applications folder, which should also be visible in the same window.

4. Once the installation is complete, you can clean up the installer files. Go to Finder > Downloads and drag the googlechrome.dmg file to the Trash folder (also called the Bin folder in certain locales). Alternatively, right-click the file and select Move to Trash (or Move to Bin).

5. To launch Google Chrome, navigate to your Applications folder and double-click on the Chrome icon. Your Mac may ask whether you want to open the app for the first time–press Open to confirm.

At this point, you’ll have successfully installed Google Chrome on your Mac. Remember to update the browser regularly to enjoy its latest features and security enhancements.

Configuring Google Chrome

Once you’ve successfully downloaded and installed Google Chrome on your Mac, you can configure it according to your preferences.

This includes signing in with your Google account, adjusting various browser settings, and making Chrome the default browser on your Mac.

Sign in with your Google Account

To sync your Chrome bookmarks, history, and other data across all your devices, you’ll need to sign in to your Google Account using the steps below.

1. Open Chrome and press the profile icon next to the three-dot menu.
2. In the menu, select Turn on sync.

3. When prompted, enter the email address and password for your Google account and press Next.

Once you sign in, your Chrome profile will begin to sync with your Google account. Any changes you make will save to your profile, allowing you to use it across different devices.

Adjust Chrome Browser Settings

You can also customize various elements of your Chrome browser. For instance, you can customize the browser’s appearance, configure privacy settings, choose an alternative search engine, and more. To do this, follow these steps.

1. Open Chrome and press the three-dot menu icon in the top-right.
2. From the menu, select Settings.

3. Select one of the settings options on the left, which include appearance, search engine, privacy and security, and more.

4. In the menu, make any changes (as required) to your settings. Any changes you make will be applied immediately.

Make Chrome the Default Browser on Your Mac

If you want to use Google Chrome as your Mac’s default browser, you’ll need to configure macOS first so that any external links automatically open in Chrome.

5. To do this, press the Apple menu on the menu bar and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).

6. Next, select Desktop & Dock (on Ventura or later) or General (on older macOS versions).
7. In the Default web browser drop-down menu, choose Google Chrome from the list.

Troubleshooting Google Chrome Installation Issues on macOS

You may face occasional issues while downloading or installing Google Chrome on your Mac. To help you, we’ve listed some common installation problems and their solutions to help you get Chrome up and running on your Mac.

1. Ensure your macOS version is compatible with Google Chrome: First, make sure that your Mac’s operating system is compatible with the latest version of Google Chrome. At present, Chrome supports macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) and later versions. If your macOS doesn’t meet this requirement, consider updating your system.
2. Download the correct version for your Mac: It might sound obvious, but make sure you’re downloading the appropriate version of Chrome for macOS. The website should auto-detect your device and provide a download link accordingly, but if it doesn’t, scroll to the bottom of the download page and select Other platforms, then choose the correct version from the pop-up.
3. Make sure Chrome is correctly installed: Don’t be tempted to double-click the Chrome icon in the pop-up Finder window when you run the googlechrome.dmg file. This will only run Chrome temporarily, not install it. If you’ve done this, repeat the installation process again to install Chrome properly.
4. Make sure you have permission to install: Only system administrators have the permission to install new applications on macOS. If you can’t install, switch to a user account on your Mac that has the necessary permissions.
5. Perform a clean uninstall and reinstall: If Chrome isn’t working correctly after installation, you can try uninstalling it completely and then reinstalling it. To do this, drag the Google Chrome icon from Applications to the Trash folder, then empty the Trash. After this, download and install Chrome again using the steps above.

Using Chrome on a Mac

Thanks to the steps above, you can ditch Safari and quickly install Google Chrome on your Mac. Once you’ve installed Chrome, make sure to check that Chrome is automatically updating to get the latest bug fixes. You can also clear your browser cache to reduce any potential slowdowns.

Can’t decide which new browser to go for? If you’re considering Edge over Chrome, for instance, try out the browser’s speed, integration with other services (such as Google or Microsoft), and the usability of the browser interface before you make a decision.