FAST FIXES FOR YOUR MAC

Having trouble with your Mac? This expert guide will equip you with the know-how you need to get it running smoothly again

- lan Osborne

One of the reasons we love our Macs so much is they just work. There's no need to worry about clashing hardware, software compatibility or a host of other irritations that plague users of other computers. You know exactly where you're at with a Mac.

Yet this doesn't mean they won't ever give you problems. With a machine as complicated and advanced as a Mac, a few issues are bound to arise from time to time. Thankfully, they're often simple and inexpensive - to resolve.

Mac problems are usually software issues, and can be fixed at home, without taking your computer to the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store. Likewise, issues with your files can be fixed quickly and easily, and if an individual file has been deleted or has corrupted, you can retrieve it using your backups; we show you how to do this. We also show you how to fix iCloud issues, and squash problems you might be having with your home or small business network. Finally, we look at hardware hiccups you might have with your peripherals and accessories. Are your Bluetooth speakers not playing nicely with your MacBook? Is your new external drive not recognised when you plug it into your Mac? Our straightforward tips show you exactly what to do.

And remember, if you can't solve your Mac problems yourself, the Genius Bar is always an option. Go to apple.com/retail/geniusbar to make an appointment at your local Apple Store. The experts there can solve almost any Mac problem, and unless they have to physically take it apart, the fix is often free.

Help! My Mac is broken!

Mac error codes

We've all seen them. Those irritating error windows that pop up while you're trying to do something on your Mac are never welcome, but if you know how to read them, they can tell you much about what's gone wrong.