Top 15 Problems for macOS 10.15 & How to Fix Them

Elise Williams

2024-04-12 10:55:47 • Filed to: macOS 10.15 • Proven solutions

Apple introduced the upcoming macOS 10.15 Catalina at the WWDC in June. Since then, you were probably ecstatic to try the new operating system. Many enthusiastic users have run to the public beta, and tried it. But as with every new OS, there are some issues at the beginning. The road is not as smooth as you might expected. With that in mind, we have the solutions for some of the macOS 10.15 known issues.

The Common Problems and Fixes of macOS 10.15

We all know that Apple puts their new operating system through extensive testing before it releases officially. But despite the tests, there are always issues and problems. The Catalina is not an exception. Enthusiastic users that have tried the public beta have reported several macOS 10.15 problems, but we also have the solutions for the Mac problems.

1. Catalina Won't Install

Every time Apple releases a new macOS, there is a problem with the installation. In some cases, the installation won't start. Or in some cases, freeze before it completes.

How to fix?

Usually, it takes only a restart, and the problem might be gone. Try to restart your Mac, and see if it works. Next, see whether there are old Mojave updates that are pending. Go to Software Update, and install those updates first. Some users have also reported that entering an administrator password helps with the issue. If none of these help, you should check whether you have enough disk space. The problem happens mostly because lack of disk space. Make sure to clean your system, all of the system junk, app leftovers, and similar unneeded files that eat up your space. If needed, make more space by deleting some files. Create a backup, and run a clean install then.

2. Stuck installation

Another problem you might encounter is that the installation will start, but you will keep getting stuck. It is among the common macOS 10 install problems, but luckily, there is a solution.

How to fix?

The main reason why you get mac 10.15 update stuck is because your Mac is not compatible for the latest OS. Check if your Mac can get the new update. For MacBook users, it means a 2015 model or higher.

3. Cannot install on External drives

If you try to launch macOS 10.15 in an external drive, you might be facing another of the 10.15 problems. The operating system will just not install.

How to fix?

You can solve the problem by connecting SSD through Thunderbolt Port 3. Another option is to use Thunderbolt three-to-two adaptor in case you have external drive with Thunderbolt port 1 or 2. You will have to do a full Mojave install before you can move up to Catalina.

4. Sidecar errors - Service Not Supported

Sidecar is a shiny new feature Apple introduced in Catalina. It allows you to turn your iPad into a second Mac. But it is limited to work only on some Macs and iPads. If you receive the error "Service Not Supported", you are probably running a version of the operating system that does not support it.

How to fix?

Check if your Mac and iPad run a version that supports sidecar. You need iPadOS 13 beta. Supported Macs include:

MacBook Pro from 2012 and higher models
MacBook Air, 2012 models and newer
MacBook, early 2015 models and higher
iMac, late 2012 or newer models
iMac Pro, 2017 models and later
Mac Pro, late 2013 models or higher
Mac Mini, late 2012 or newer models

Supported iPad models include:

iPad 5th and 6th generation
iPad mini, 5th generation
iPad mini 4
iPad Air 3rd generation
iPad Air 2
iPad Pro, 12.9-inch, 11-inch, 10.5-inch, and 9.7-inches version

5. Apps do not work

Some of your software might not work on Catalina. The answer is simple, Catalina does not support 32-bits applications. Mojave is the last OS by Apple that supports 32-bit apps. Therefore, your apps have to be 64-bits in order to work on Catalina.

How to fix?

You have to check your apps for 64-bit compatibility manually. Click on the Apple logo, and select "About this Mac" and then click on System report. Scroll down the menu until you get to the Software section, and then click on Applications. Find the app that does not work, and see whether it is 32-bit or 64-bit. If it is 32-bites, you need to find another version of it.

6. iCloud does not sync

Syncing cloud issues are another common issue with a new macOS. You might notice this problem when you try to get remote access to screen sharing or access file remotely.

How to fix?

Simply sign out of your iCloud account, and then sign in once more. If the issue still persists, go to "Cloud Docs" folder and delete it. Then, the iCloud files will be downloaded again and you can establish connection to fix the problem.

7. Battery drain

There is nothing worse than applications draining your battery without you knowing it. Almost every time Apple releases a new macOS, there are battery life concerns.

How to fix?

Use Apple's default Activity Monitor to get a quick insight into the apps that use significant energy. Get an application that limits the use of app, something like Screen Time.

8. App icons go missing

The moment you install Catalina, you might notice some of the icons of your favorite applications disappear from the Finder sidebar. This happens usually with third-party applications, and generally when you use Migration Assistant.

How to fix?

Start by opening the Finder on your Mac, and then right-click on the upper left corner. Click Preferences, and in the Sidebar Tap, select "Applications Favorite", and then remove "Applications shortcut" from the sidebar with incorrect results

9. Bluetooth issues

You might notice Bluetooth issues, to the point you cannot switch it off. It is another of the common macOS 10.15 known issues.

How to fix?

Delete Bluetooth plist file, but ensure all of the files are safely copied before that. Go to Folder > Preferences and look for the file "apple.Bluetooth.plist". Delete it, and then restart the device.

10. Slow macOS

When you install a new operating system that provides 64-bit architecture, you expect things to be faster. But that might not be the case. Despite getting rid of the 32-bit architecture slowing down your OS, your computer is working slower.

How to fix?

Usually, the reason for slow macOS and overheating is too many login items. Disable the apps launching at startup by going to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items. Check all of the items that you do not want to launch at start.

If that doesn't help, you can reset SMC, which is an universal fix for slow Mac, overheating, and battery life. There is no risk for losing data. Shut down your Mac, but leave it plugged in, and then hold Shift + Ctrl + Option + Power button for 10 seconds. Then, click the power button, and wait the Mac to start up.

11. Mouse/Keyboard not working

After installing macOS 10.15, you might notice some accessories do not work. Or in other words, Catalina does not recognize them.

How to fix?

The reason why Catalina might not recognize your mouse or keyboard is because of the 32-bit driver. Update the drivers in the App store, and if there is no 64-bit version available, contact the developers using the support page.

12. Login Crashes

Apple inbuilt apps and the OS collide all the time. Because of that, you get login crashes.

How to fix?

Simply remove the Login items you do not need. Then, remove the "plist" files in "Preferences" that contain specific user settings. Reset them in Safe Mode.

13. Mac won't boot

You wanted to try the new and shiny Catalina, but your Mac does not turn on. Or it might get stuck on the loading bar. Stay calm, there are solutions to the problem.

How to fix?

The simple fix is to check your Mac hard drive using Disk Utility in Recovery mode. Check the startup disk to see if there is any disk error. To do this, follow the guide:

1. Reboot Mac and hold Command + R to go into recovery mode
2. Release the keys once you see the loading bar
3. In the Utilities menu, select Disk Utility
4. Select start disk in the left sidebar
5. Click on First Aid, locate at the top center, and then click on "Run" to repair any issues
6. Click done, and restart your Mac

Another option is to downgrade to macOS Mojave. If your Mac is not compatible with the latest operating system, it will not turn on. Check the list of compatible devices, and if your Mac is not there, you need to downgrade to Mojave.

14. Time Machine Issues

One of the common and known issues in macOS 10.15 is the inability to use Time Machine.

How to fix?

You might have to wait for newer updates to solve the issue. Another option is to find an alternative backup solution. For example, external drives work on iCloud.

15. Files get lost?

Some users report they lost files after the new update. Their desktop becomes empty, and they cannot find valuable photos.

How to fix?

The simple fix is to recover these files from a backup. That is, as long as you have made a backup before updating to the newest version. You can recover files using iCloud, Time Machine, or any Mac data recovery software.

Best PDF editor for macOS 10.15 in 2021

Apple gives users a default PDF tool, which is the Preview application. However, that might not be everything you wanted in a PDF software. Having a great PDF software is crucial in today's modern world. We recommend the highly efficient PDFelement, which is compatible with the macOS Catalina, but also older operating systems as well.

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