How to Fix Most Common Issues in macOS Catalina

 Ever since the release of the latest version of macOS Catalina, users all around the world have found it challenging to work on their MacBook. Apple might fix the issues sooner or later, but it’s better to rely on different methods to fix the errors temporarily to work on your Mac without much trouble. Since every macOS Catalina user is experiencing common issues, we have listed various ways to resolve them within minutes without taking help from an expert.

Follow the guide below to get rid of any issue you might be experiencing:

Operating System Installation

If you are experiencing a problem in installing the operating system, then make sure that you take the backup of all the essential data. And ensure that your Mac is compatible with installing the macOS Catalina. If you don’t know if your system is compatible or not, then use the following list of compatible devices to check if your system falls under either of the devices:

• MacBook Air (2012 and later)
• MacBook Pro (2012 and later)
• Mac mini (2012 and later)
• iMac (2012 and later)
• Mac Pro (2013 and later)
• 12-inch MacBook (2015 and later)
• iMac Pro (2017)

In your compatible device, download macOS Catalina and if you don’t find any page for installing the update, then go to Mac’s application folder. Find the file named as ‘Install macOS 10.15’ and double-click it to begin installing the update. In case the installation fails, restart your desktop and press the Control + R keys to enter the Recovery Mode. Select ‘Disk Boot’ and remove irrelevant files from your desktop to give space to macOS Catalina.

‘Setting Up Your Mac’ Message

After the installation procedure, a lot of users might see ‘Setting Up Your Mac’ message on their screen, which indicates that the update is completed. Still, it is better to force the reboot on your device. To do it, follow these steps:

1. Press and hold down the power button for a few seconds until the system shuts down. 
2. Wait a few minutes and then, turn on your Mac or MacBook. 

Now, your desktop should boot into macOS Catalina successfully, and the data will remain safely intact as well. If you’re dealing with low storage, then remove hidden files from the Time Machine and then retry installing the update. 

The macOS Catalina update also creates troubles at the end and shows error messages. If this happens with your device, then restart it and press Command + Option + R keys together. Your Mac will boot to start the recovery system. If you continue to face errors, check Apple’s guide for creating an external Mac startup. 

Email errors

If your Mail app fails to work properly after the update, then open Finder and from the top menu, click on Go and select ‘Go To Folder’. Then, enter the following commands:

~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail/Data/Library/Saved Application State/

Scroll down the window and find ‘com.apple.mail.savedState’ and then move it to Trash. Then, go back to the ‘Go to Folder’ window and enter:

~/Library/Containers/

Now, find and move com.apple.mail and com.apple.MailServiceAgent to Trash or in a temporary folder, e.g. your desktop. Then, go to:

~/Library/Mail/MailData

Move the Envelope Index, Envelope Index-shm, and Envelope Index-wal to Trash as well. Then clean the Trash, and restart your Mac to check if it works properly.

Account Login Error

Many users also experienced trouble logging into their desktop after installing macOS Catalina. To overcome this trouble, use the following method:

Begin by restarting your Mac and hold down the Command + S keys on your keyboard while it boots up. This process will boot you into the Command Prompt. Then, enter the following command:

/sbin/mount -uw /

Press Enter on your keyboard. Then enter the following:

rm /var/db/.applesetupdone

This will resolve your logging in problem without interfering with your data. Hit the Enter key and restart your Mac. Now, you will then be asked to create a new admin user account.

Despite solving the most common issues, the list of challenges in the macOS Catalina update goes on. You can contact the Apple customer care or check their support page online to resolve any other issue that you might be experiencing.

John Smith  is a technology enthusiast who loves writing about new advancements and IT threats on a regular basis. Her work focuses on the latest advancements in the realm of technology, social media, and cyber security at norton.com/setup.

Source:  How to Fix Most Common Issues in macOS Catalina