Notes:macOS
Stuff for macOS and OS X
| INFO: [2020-11-19] These notes aren't fully formatted yet as I've simply copied them from my personal notes. I'll fix them with time. |
- References
http://serverfault.com/questions/7346/what-are-useful-command-line-commands-on-mac-os-x
- Keyboard Shortcut Symbols
[Back up and share text replacements on Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/back-up-and-share-text-replacements-on-mac-mchl2a7bd795/mac)
- Symbols
Common symbols used by macOS.
| Description | Symbol | Note | | -------- | --- | --- | | Apple | | ⌘-Option-K (works on a Mac, but might be different on other OSes) | Command | ⌘ | Delete | ⌫ | Escape | ⎋ / ␛ | Fn-Down | ⇟ | Fn-Left | ↖︎ | Fn-Right | ↘︎ | Fn-Up | ⇞ | Option | ⌥ | Power | ⌽ | substitute as there isn't a good one; http://unicodepowersymbol.com/ | Return | ⏎ | Shift | ⇧ | Tab | ⇥
- Accents
Method 1: To type an accented or alternate version of a character, hold a key down until its alternate characters are displayed. (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201586)
Method 2: Request accent, then character. (http://symbolcodes.tlt.psu.edu/accents/codemac.html)
Method 3: Open Character Palette with Control-Command-Space. Find the desired character, then drag the character with the mouse into place to insert.
| Name | Example | Shortcut + Char | | ---------- | ------- | -------- | | Acute | ó Ó | Option-E, V | Circumflex | ô Ô | Option-I, V | Grave | ò Ò | Option-\`, V | Tilde | õ Õ | Option-N, V (only works with a, n, and o) | Umlaut | ö Ö | Option-U, V
- Letters
| Letter | Shortcut | Description | | ------ | -------- | ----------- | | å | Option-A | | ç | Option-C | | ø | Option-O | | ß | Option-S | Eszett | æ Option-' |
- Math Symbols
Approximately : (≈) Option-X Degree : (°) Shift-Option-8 Delta : (∆) Option-J Division : (÷) Option-/ GreaterOrEqual : (≥) Option-. Infinity : (∞) Option-5 Intergal : (∫) Option-B LessOrEqual : (≤) Option-, Micro : (µ) Option-M Ohm : (Ω) Option-Z PartialDerivative : (∂) Option-D PerMil : (‰) Shift-Option-R Pi : (π) Option-P Plus/Minus : (±) Shift-Option-= ProductPi : (∏) Shift-Option-P SquareRoot : (√) Option-V Sum : (∑) Option-W
- Punctuation
Copyright : (©) Option+G Dagger : (†) Option+T Dot : (•) Option+8 EmDash : (—) Option+Shift+- EnDash : (–) Option+- Paragraph : (¶) Option+7 Registered : (®) Option+R Section : (§) Option+6 Trademark : (™) Option+2
- General
Command-F2 : Act as external display on iMac Command-Delete : Delete a file Command-Shift-3 : Capture screen Command-Shift-4 : Capture window with cursor selection Command-Shift-4 + Space : Capture window Command-Shift-5 : Record cropped window Command-Shift-5 + Space : Record a window Command-Shift-Q : Log out with confirmation Command-Shift-Option-Q : Log out without confirmation
- Documents
| Key combination | Description | | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | ⌘-B | Boldface the selected text, or turn boldfacing on or off. | | ⌘-Option-C | Copy Style: Copy the formatting settings of the selected item to the Clipboard. | | ⌘-D | Select the Desktop folder from within an Open dialog or Save dialog. | | ⌘-Control-D | Show or hide the definition of the selected word. | | ⌘-Option-F | Go to the search field. | | ⌘-I | Italicise the selected text, or turn italics on or off. | | ⌘-Option-I | Show or hide the inspector window. | | ⌘-L | During software installation, show a log of actions. | | ⌘-Shift-P | Page setup: Display a window for selecting document settings. | | ⌘-Shift-S | Display the ave As dialog, or duplicate the current document. | | ⌘-T | Show or hide the Fonts window. | | ⌘-Option-T | Show or hide a toolbar in the app. | | ⌘-U | Underline the selected text, or turn underlining on or off. | | ⌘-Option-V | Paste Style: Apply the copied style to the selected item. | | ⌘-Option-Shift-V | Paste and Match Style: Apply the style of the surrounding content to the item pasted within that content. | | ⌘-; | Fix misspelled words in the document. | | ⌘-Shift-: | Display the Spelling and Grammar window | | ⌘-⌫ | Select Delete or Don't Save in a dialog that contains a Delete or Don't Save button. |
Command–DownArrow : Move the insertion point to the end of the document. Command–Equal : ... performs the same function. Command–LeftArrow : Move the insertion point to the beginning of the current line. Command–LeftCurlyBracket : Left align. Command–RightArrow : Move the insertion point to the end of the current line. Command–RightCurlyBracket : Right align. Command–Shift–DownArrow : Select the text between the insertion point and the end of the document. Command–Shift–LeftArrow : Select the text between the insertion point and the beginning of the current line. Command–Shift–Minus : Decrease the size of the selected item. Command–Shift–Plus : Increase the size of the selected item. Command–Shift–QuestionMark : Open the Help menu. Command–Shift–RightArrow : Select the text between the insertion point and the end of the current line. Command–Shift–UpArrow : Select the text between the insertion point and the beginning of the document. Command–Shift–VerticalBar : Center align. Command–UpArrow : Move the insertion point to the beginning of the document. Control-A : Move to the beginning of the line or paragraph. Control-B : Move one character backward. Control-D : Delete the character to the right of the insertion point. Or use Fn-Delete. Control-E : Move to the end of a line or paragraph. Control-F : Move one character forward. Control-H : Delete the character to the left of the insertion point. Or use Delete. Control-K : Delete the text between the insertion point and the end of the line or paragraph. Control-L : Center the cursor or selection in the visible area. Control-N : Move down one line. Control-O : Insert a new line after the insertion point. Control-P : Move up one line. Control-T : Swap the character behind the insertion point with the character in front of the insertion point. Fn-Delete : Forward delete on keyboards that don't have a Forward Delete key. Or use Control-D. Fn–DownArrow : Page Down: Scroll down one page. Fn–LeftArrow : Home: Scroll to the beginning of a document. Fn–RightArrow : End: Scroll to the end of a document. Fn–UpArrow : Page Up: Scroll up one page. Option-Delete : Delete the word to the left of the insertion point. Option–LeftArrow : Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word. Option–RightArrow : Move the insertion point to the end of the next word. Shift–DownArrow : Extend text selection to the nearest character at the same horizontal location on the line below. Shift–LeftArrow : Extend text selection one character to the left. Shift–Option–DownArrow : Extend text selection to the end of the current paragraph, then to the end of the following paragraph if pressed again. Shift–Option–LeftArrow : Extend text selection to the beginning of the current word, then to the beginning of the following word if pressed again. Shift–Option–RightArrow : Extend text selection to the end of the current word, then to the end of the following word if pressed again. Shift–Option–UpArrow : Extend text selection to the beginning of the current paragraph, then to the beginning of the following paragraph if pressed again. Shift–RightArrow : Extend text selection one character to the right. Shift–UpArrow : Extend text selection to the nearest character at the same horizontal location on the line above.
- Booting
https://support.apple.com/en-eg/HT201255 http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/2818/os_x_ten_boot_options_for_leopard/
| Key | Desc | | ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | C | Boot from CD/DVD | | D / Option-D | Diagnostics or Apple Hardware Test mode / via-Internet. 1) Unplug MacBook Pro from power, and fully power off the machine. 2) Power on and press-and-hold the D key. 3) Release when prompted to choose a language. | | N | Netboot | | R | PowerBook Display Reset | | T | Target disk mode | | X | Startup from OS X instead of from non-OS X startup | | ⌘-Option-P-R | Reset PRAM. Do immediately after powering on, and release after 2nd Apple logo or 20sec, whichever comes first. | | ⌘-R / ⌘-Option-R | OS X Recovery / over the Internet | | Command-S | Single User Mode | | Command-V | Verbose Boot | | LeftShift-Control-Option-Power | [Reset SMC](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295). Do with power off. Hold for 10 sec, then power on again. | | Left_Mouse / F12 / mouse_button / trackpad_button | Eject Media | | Option | Startup Manager | | Option-D | Diagnostics or Apple Hardware Test via Internet | | Option-N | NetBoot using default image | | Shift | Safe Mode |
- Downloads
[How to create a bootable installer for macOS](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372)
10.15 [Catalina](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-catalina/id1466841314?ls=1&mt=12)
``` sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Catalina.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia \
--volume /Volumes/MyVolume
```
10.14 [Mojave](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-mojave/id1398502828?ls=1&mt=12)
``` sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia \
--volume /Volumes/MyVolume
```
10.13 [High Sierra](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-high-sierra/id1246284741?ls=1&mt=12)
``` sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia \
--volume /Volumes/MyVolume
```
10.12 [Yosemite](http://updates-http.cdn-apple.com/2019/cert/061-41343-20191023-02465f92-3ab5-4c92-bfe2-b725447a070d/InstallMacOSX.dmg)
10.11 [El Capitan](http://updates-http.cdn-apple.com/2019/cert/061-41424-20191024-218af9ec-cf50-4516-9011-228c78eda3d2/InstallMacOSX.dmg)
``` sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia \
--volume /Volumes/MyVolume \ --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app
```
10.10 [Sierra](http://updates-http.cdn-apple.com/2019/cert/061-39476-20191023-48f365f4-0015-4c41-9f44-39d3d2aca067/InstallOS.dmg)
``` $ sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia \
--volume /Volumes/MyVolume \ --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Sierra.app
```
10.9 Maverics
``` $ sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Mavericks.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia \
--volume /Volumes/MyVolume \ --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Mavericks.app
```
[Legacy](https://support.apple.com/downloads/tiger)
See also: https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/11/23/how-to-get-an-old-macos-installer-from-apple
- File systems
- Create ISO from CDR
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/converting-cdr-to-iso.783690/
Convert a CDR to ISO.
```console $ hdiutil makehybrid -iso -joliet -o diskimage.iso diskimage.cdr ```
- Write ISO to USB
For bootable images, use one of:
- [Etcher](https://www.balena.io/etcher/) -- **recommended** for bootable CD/DVD - [UNetbootin](http://unetbootin.github.io/) -- useful if additional FreeDOS boot is needed (e.g. for firmware upgrades)
For data only…
https://snipt.net/w00kie/how-do-i-burn-an-iso-on-a-usb-drive-on-mac-os-x/
Convert the file to a Disk Image. Note a `.dmg` extension will be added.
```console $ hdiutil convert -format UDRW -o /path/to/target /path/to/original.iso ```
Find current devices
```console $ diskutil list ```
Unmount device
```console $ diskutil unmountDisk /dev/diskN ```
Write to USB
```console $ sudo dd if=/path/to/target.dmg of=/dev/rdiskN bs=1m ```
Eject the disk
```console $ diskutil eject /dev/diskN ```
- Format a disk from the command-line
Format with JHFS+ (Journaled HFS+) with a GPT partition layout.
diskutil eraseDisk jhfs+ "ICY BOX 500G" gpt /dev/diskX
- Create custom CoreStorage drive
http://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-make-a-custom-corestorage-drive-in-os-x/
Create a CoreStorage volume. Will be using disk0 (SSD) and disk1 (HDD).
Partition all drives to be part of CS with single GUID partition, named 'Untitled'. Then determine their drive names
```console $ diskutil list ```
Create the logical volume group. Note the 1st drive is the SSD drive, and 2nd is drive is the HDD.
```console $ diskutil cs create Macintosh\ LVG disk0 disk1 ```
List CS volumes
```console $ diskutil cs list ```
Create volume in the volume group using UUID of LVG
```console $ diskutil cs createVolume UUID jhfs+ Macintosh\ HD 100% ```
If desired, encrypt the logical volume just created
```console $ diskutil cs list $ diskutil cs encryptVolume UUID ```
Delete a CS LVG.
```console $ diskutil cs delete UUID ```
- Get serial number of drive
```console $ ioreg -l |less ```
- ditto
Mirror directories in OS X, preserving all ownership and permission data.
```console
- ditto -V /Users /Volumes/SecondaryHD/Users
```
- Write DMG to disk
http://coolestguyplanettech.com/downtown/how-image-mac-os-x-107-lion-command-lineterminal
1. Mount the destination drive 2. Issue this command, replacing source and destination paths
```console $ asr restore \ --source /path-to-source-dmg-image \ --target /Volumes/path-to-destination-volume \ --erase \ --format HFS+ \ --noverify ```
- The **--erase** will erase the destination format - The **--format** is optional and only required if the destination needs to be reformatted - The **--noverify** is optional and skips verification - but obviously doesn't verify a successful restore.
- Mount DMG as disk -- loopback
http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/9284/does-mac-have-something-similar-to-a-linux-loop-device
The upgrade from MacOS 10.12.1 to 10.12.2 broke my APFS formatted Ableton SDCard drive. Ugh :-(. Luckily I still had a machine running 10.12.1, so I figured I'd try to fix things.
I started by dumping the raw disk `/dev/disk2` using `dd`.
```console $ dd if=/dev/disk2 of=/Volumes/Samsung_T1/Ableton-d2.dmg bs=1m ```
Mount the disk. _Note: I could have added the `-nomount` option after `attach` to have prevented the disk from actually mounting._
```console $ hdiutil attach /Volumes/Samsung_T1/Ableton-d2.dmg /dev/disk2 GUID_partition_scheme /dev/disk2s1 EFI /dev/disk2s2 Apple_APFS /dev/disk2s2s1 41504653-0000-11AA-AA11-0030654 ```
Yay!
- APFS
- https://developer.apple.com/library/content/documentation/FileManagement/Conceptual/APFS_Guide/Introduction/Introduction.html - http://www.howtogeek.com/272741/how-to-format-a-drive-with-the-apfs-file-system-on-macos-sierra/
- Sparse image**
Create a sparse image with APFS.
```console $ hdiutil create -fs APFS -size 1GB foo.sparseimage ```
- Physical disk**
Partition the disk
```console $ sudo diskutil partitionDisk disk2 APFS Untitled 100% ```
- Existing partition**
Create APFS container.
```console $ diskutil apfs createContainer /dev/disk2s2 ```
Create APFS volume in an APFS container.
```console $ diskutil apfs addVolume disk2s2 APFS newAPFS ```
FSCK.
```console $ fsck_apfs /dev/disk2s2 ```
- NFS
Change default behavior to work better with Linux servers.
- https://j-li.net/posts/mounting-a-linux-nfs-on-osx
`/etc/nfs.conf`
```
- Generated automatically by NFS Manager 2016-10-19 23:06:36 +0000
nfs.client.allow_async = 1 nfs.client.nfsiod_thread_max = 128 nfs.client.mount.options = nfc,intr nfs.client.is_mobile = 0 ```
- Restart autofs without rebooting.
Use the `automount` command.
```console $ sudo automount -vc ```
Alternatively, use `launchctl`.
```console $ sudo launchctl stop com.apple.autofsd ```
- Partitioning
References
- <https://developer.apple.com/library/content/documentation/FileManagement/Conceptual/APFS_Guide/ToolsandAPIs/ToolsandAPIs.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40016999-CH7-DontLinkElementID_13> - <http://www.theinstructional.com/guides/disk-management-from-the-command-line-part-2>
Get list of info
```console $ diskutil list ```
Format an entire drive as APFS
```console
- command verb disk boot_record filesystem name size
$ diskutil partitionDisk /dev/diskX GPT APFS NewName 0b ```
Arguments:
- Boot Records
- GPT (GUID Partition Table) - MBR (Master Boot Record)
- Filesystems
- APFS (Apple File System -- beta in Sierra 10.12.1) - ExFAT - FAT32 - HFS+ (Apple HFS+)
- Locked files or folders
Look at the current flags:
```console $ ls -lO /path/to/folder ```
Unlock them with:
```console $ chflags nouchg /path/to/locked/folder ```
or with:
```console $ SetFile -a l /path/to/locked/folder ```
- Cookbook
- Homebrew
The `ftp` and `telnet` are no longer included with macOS, but can be installed with Brew.
$ brew install inetutils
- Resize a sparse bundle
Unmount the image, and follow commands below.
Compact the image (size stays the same).
hdiutil compact filename.sparsebundle
Increase the size of the image (e.g. 8G to 12G).
hdiutil resize -size 12G filename.sparsebundle
- Paragraph Sorting Service
http://www.macosxautomation.com/services/learn/tut03/index.html
1. Open Automator. 2. Create a new "Service" workflow. 3. Configure workflow.
a. Service receives selected > text b. in > any application c. check < Replaces selected text 4.
- Disable the Swoosh animation for Mac OS X Spaces
macOS [10.12)
System Preferences > Accessibility > Display > Reduce motion
macOS (10.11]
- http://blog.sysmgr.org/2011/02/disable-swoosh-animation-for-mac-os-x.html - http://secrets.blacktree.com/?showapp=com.apple.dock -- interesting - http://www.macosxhints.com/comment.php?mode=view&cid=117778
```console $ defaults write com.apple.dock \
workspaces-swoosh-animation-off \ -bool YES && killall Dock
```
- Change screen capture behavior.
Disable shadow on screen capture.
``` $ defaults write com.apple.screencapture disable-shadow -bool TRUE $ killall SystemUIServer ```
Change the location of screen captures.
``` $ defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Pictures/Screenshots ```
Change the prefix of the screen capture filename.
``` $ defaults write com.apple.screencapture name "Pretty Picture" $ killall SystemUIServer ```
Take a screen capture as PDF (PNG is default).
``` $ defaults write com.apple.screencapture type pdf ```
- (En|Dis)able Bonjour Announcements (10.5+)
Disable
$ sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder.plist
Enable
$ sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder.plist
To leave it enabled, but not announce things via multicast DNS, edit the plist and add this line to the mDNSResponder options.
<string>-NoMulticastAdvertisements</string>
- Time Machine
Change backup frequency (10.5+) http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=200710291721156
Edit /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.backupd-auto.plist and update the StartInterval setting. 3600[s] is 1h.
- Cron'd stuff
See entry at Oct 19, '10 08:03:30PM in http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=200710291721156
- Sleep
Sleep machine from command-line (10.5+)
$ pmset sleepnow
- pmset
See 'man pmset' for more info. For 10.4 and prior, see http://www.snoize.com/SleepNow/.
Figure out why machine isn't sleeping.
$ pmset -g assertions
Log sleep/wake messages
$ pmset -g pslog
View the logs later
$ pmset -g
- (En|Dis)able swap
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=201106020948369
Disable
```console $ sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.dynamic_pager.plist $ sudo rm /private/var/vm/swapfile* ```
Enable
```console $ sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.dynamic_pager.plist ```
- SMART
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20031122041138373
Get SMART status from the command-line
```console
- diskutil list
- diskutil info diskX |grep SMART
```
- sysctl
[Performance Tuning the Network Stack Mac OS X](http://rolande.wordpress.com/2010/12/30/performance-tuning-the-network-stack-on-mac-osx-10-6/)
Versions: [10.5-10.8)
Put data into `/etc/sysctl.conf`.
``` kern.ipc.maxsockbuf=4194304 kern.ipc.somaxconn=512 kern.ipc.nmbclusters=2048 net.inet.tcp.rfc1323=1 net.inet.tcp.win_scale_factor=3 net.inet.tcp.sockthreshold=16 net.inet.tcp.sendspace=262144 net.inet.tcp.recvspace=262144 net.inet.tcp.mssdflt=1440 net.inet.tcp.msl=15000 net.inet.tcp.always_keepalive=0 net.inet.tcp.delayed_ack=0 net.inet.tcp.slowstart_flightsize=4 net.inet.tcp.blackhole=2 net.inet.udp.blackhole=1 net.inet.icmp.icmplim=50 ```
Change these values for [10.8)
``` kern.ipc.maxsockbuf=8388608
- Enable support for 9000+ byte packets.
- https://blah.cloud/hardware/test-jumbo-frames-working/
net.inet.raw.maxdgram=16384 ```
(old) Recommended values for `/etc/sysctl.conf`.
| key | default | recommended | notes | | ----------------------------- | ------- | ----------- | -------------------------- | | net.inet.tcp.mssdflt | 512 | 1440 | | | net.inet.tcp.win_scale_factor | 3 | 10 | | | net.inet.tcp.sendspace | 65536 | 2097152 | 1/2 of kern.ipc.maxsockbuf | | net.inet.tcp.recvspace | 65536 | 2097152 | 1/2 of kern.ipc.maxsockbuf |
- Spotlight
Check status of Spotlight
```console
- mdutil -s /
```
Enable Spotlight
```console
- mdutil -i on /
```
Rebuilt database
```console
- mdutil -E /
```
- Restart Finder from the Terminal
http://thewayeye.net/2012/january/4/how-restart-finder-terminal
Kill Finder
```console $ sudo killall Finder ```
Manually start if it doesn't automatically
```console $ open /System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app ```
If all else fails, reboot
```console $ shutdown -r ```
- Extract contents of a Payload file
These are basically compressed cpio files.
```console $ cat Payload |gzip -d |cpio -id ```
- Firewall
List apps allowed/blocked by firewall.
```console $ sudo /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw --listapps ```
- dtrace and other scripts
http://dtrace.org/blogs/brendan/2011/10/10/top-10-dtrace-scripts-for-mac-os-x/
- Power management
Get history of power management events
```console $ pmset -g log |less ```
- Icon sets
http://blog.macsales.com/28492-create-your-own-custom-icons-in-10-7-5-or-later
Create PNG files.
| Filename | Image Size (in pixels) | | ------------------- | ---------------------- | | icon_512x512@2x.png | 1024 x 1024 | | icon_512x512.png | 512 x 512 | | icon_256x256@2x.png | 512 x 512 | | icon_256x256.png | 256 x 256 | | icon_128x128@2x.png | 256 x 256 | | icon_128x128.png | 128 x 128 | | icon_32x32@2x.png | 64 x 64 | | icon_32x32.png | 32 x 32 | | icon_16x16@2x.png | 32 x 32 | | icon_16x16.png | 16 x 16 |
Create an `myicon.iconset` folder, and put all files in that folder.
Create a `myicon.icns` file.
```console $ iconutil -c icns /path/to/myicon.iconset ```
Get info about the drive / file, and copy the `myicon.icns` file over the drive icon of the file.
- Kill parentalcontrolsd regularly
Create the following plist as `/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.forestent.noparentalcontrolsd` with root as owner.
```xml <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"> <plist version="1.0"> <dict>
<key>Label</key> <string>com.stevenlin.antiparent</string>
<key>ProgramArguments</key> <array> <string>/bin/launchctl</string> <string>kill</string> <string>SIGSTOP</string> <string>system/com.apple.familycontrols</string> </array>
<key>Nice</key> <integer>1</integer>
<key>StartInterval</key> <integer>600</integer>
<key>RunAtLoad</key> <true/>
</dict> </plist> ```
Load the plist.
```console $ sudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.forestent.noparentalcontrolsd ```
- Install a package from the command-line
Use `/usr/sbin/installer`.
```console $ sudo installer -pkg /path/to/package.pkg -target / ```
sudo installer -pkg macOSUpd10.14.3.pkg -target / -verboseR -dumplog 2>&1 |tee ~/var/log/macOSUpd10.14.3.log
- Upgrade software from the command-line
Use `softwareupdate`.
```console $ softwareupdate -l Software Update Tool
Fining available software ```
If the updater is hitting problems, e.g. unable to contact update servers, consider resetting the catalogs. (Was needed for 10.14.3 at Google.)
```shell sudo softwareupdate --clear-catalog ```
- Change visibility of hidden folders
Use `/usr/bin/chflags`.
``` $ chflags nohidden ~/Library ```
- Force RGB Mode (a.k.a. fix horrible fonts)
http://www.iphonetopics.com/force-rgb-mode-in-mac-os-x/
- Misc. Utilities
- Expansion Slot Utility
The utility is located in /System/Library/CoreServices and is used to configure the performance of the PCI slots.
- Fonts
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3646002?tstart=0 http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/undofontbook.html http://www.jklstudios.com/misc/osxfonts.htm
- pmset
Get the current settings
```console $ pmset -g System-wide power settings: Currently in use:
standby 1 Sleep On Power Button 1 womp 0 autorestart 0 hibernatefile /var/vm/sleepimage powernap 1 gpuswitch 2 networkoversleep 0 disksleep 10 sleep 60 (sleep prevented by backupd, AddressBookSourceSync, nsurlsessiond, nsurlsessiond, nsurlsessiond, nsurlsessiond, nsurlsessiond) autopoweroffdelay 28800 hibernatemode 0 autopoweroff 1 ttyskeepawake 1 displaysleep 60 standbydelay 10800
```
- autopoweroff
_This is the reason my 2013 Mac Pro wakes so slowly from sleep each morning._
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201635
- autopoweroff** is enabled by default on supported platforms as an implementation of Lot 6 to the European Energy-related Products Directive. After sleeping for `autopoweroffdelay` seconds, the system will write a hibernation image and go into a lower power chipset sleep. Wakeups from this state will take longer than wakeups from regular sleep.
- bputil
https://keith.github.io/xcode-man-pages/bputil.1.html
Utility to precisely modify the security settings on Apple Silicon Macs
- trustd
https://sneak.berlin/20201112/your-computer-isnt-yours/
This makes requests to ocsp.apple.com each and every time an app is opened. Ugh.
- Troubleshooting
https://github.com/upekkha/AppleHardwareTest
- Previous shutdown cause
Look at the log on the command-line, and compare to documented causes can be found on this [blog](https://georgegarside.com/blog/macos/shutdown-causes/).
```console $ log show --predicate 'eventMessage contains "Previous shutdown cause:"' Skipping info and debug messages, pass --info and/or --debug to include. Filtering the log data using "eventMessage CONTAINS "Previous shutdown cause:"" Timestamp Thread Type Activity PID 2017-11-30 17:12:25.019394+0100 0x379 Default 0x0 0 kernel: (AppleSMC) Previous shutdown cause: 3 2017-12-06 18:16:46.306853+0100 0x3ff Default 0x0 0 kernel: (AppleSMC) Previous shutdown cause: 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Log - Default: 2, Info: 0, Debug: 0, Error: 0, Fault: 0 Activity - Create: 0, Transition: 0, Actions: 0 ```
- Mouse Lag
Try turning off the mouse, removing it from the Bluetooth preferences window, and repairing the device.
On the Mac Pro (Late 2013) model, Wi-Fi seems to interfere with the Bluetooth signal such that the mouse lags. Disable Wi-Fi if possible, or use a hardwired mouse.
- DNS resolution
- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3339686?start=0&tstart=0 - http://www.justincarmony.com/blog/2011/07/27/mac-os-x-lion-etc-hosts-bugs-and-dns-resolution/
Get dump of resolvers
```console $ scutil --dns ```
- Reset DNS cache
OS X <= 10.9.* && >= 10.10.4
```console $ sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder ```
OS X 10.10.0 - 10.10.3
```console $ sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache ```
- Finder -- "File is damaged"
Finder is reporting "File is damaged" and "Move to Trash" or "Unmount disk". If you know the file is fine, remove the quarantine `xattr`, and try again.
```console $ xattr -d com.apple.quarantine /path/to/file ```
- Cannot verify installer
http://www.macrumors.com/2016/03/03/older-os-x-installers-broken-by-certificate/
Installers downloaded before Feb 14 2016 will not validate because the certificate used to sign the installer expired. To work around the issue, quit out of the installer, set the date back, and rerun the installer.
```console $ date 0201010116 ```
Alternatively, a newer version of the installer can be downloaded. Unfortunately, older OS X installs won't be available, so the date method must be used.
- Look at available Wi-Fi networks
http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/131852/how-do-you-force-a-5-ghz-wifi-connection
Scan for network BSSIDs.
```console /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport scan
SSID BSSID RSSI CHANNEL HT CC SECURITY (auth/unicast/group)
Valerie c0:25:06:cf:0c:d3 -78 100,+1 Y DE WPA2(PSK/AES/AES)
Valerie c0:25:06:cf:0c:d7 -69 11 Y DE WPA2(PSK/AES/AES)
```
For <=10.6 use a different command.
```console /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport --associate=XXX --bssid=YYY ```
- Downgrade from High Sierra to Sierra
https://www.imore.com/how-downgrade-macos
Technically, a downgrade isn't possible from backup :-(
Erase a disk with the MacOS Extended (Journaled) format, with a name of `Untitled`.
Create install media, using `/Volume/Untitled` as destination volume.
- The volume will again be erased, so it is OK to use the old volume name. - The `--applicationpath` must be the **fully qualified path**.
```console $ sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia \
--volume /Volumes/Untitled \ --applicationpath "/Applications/Install macOS Sierra.app"
Ready to start. To continue we need to erase the disk at /Volumes/Untitled. If you wish to continue type (Y) then press return: y Erasing Disk: 0%... 10%... 20%... 30%...100%... Copying installer files to disk... Copy complete. Making disk bootable... Copying boot files... Copy complete. Done. ```
- Adjust macOS font smoothing
- Font smoothing
https://software.com/mac/tweaks/change-font-smoothing
Display the current font smoothing:
```console $ defaults -currentHost read -globalDomain AppleFontSmoothing ```
Change the font smoothing (0=off, 1=light, 2=Medium/flat panel, 3=strong/blurred) This is mostly needed for non-Apple displays. Restart applications to see the effect
```console $ defaults -currentHost write -globalDomain AppleFontSmoothing -int 0 ```
Delete the setting completely (restore default)
```console $ defaults -currentHost delete -globalDomain AppleFontSmoothing ```
Set the font anti-aliasing minimum sizes, globally or per-application:
``` $ defaults -currentHost write .GlobalPreferences AppleSmoothFontsSizeThreshold -int 16 $ defaults -currentHost write .GlobalPreferences AppleFontSmoothing -int 0 $ defaults -currentHost write com.apple.safari AppleAntiAliasingThreshold -int 16 ```
- Anti-aliasing
Read the current value.
``` $ defaults read NSGlobalDomain AppleAntiAliasingThreshold 4 ```
The anti-aliasing can be configured per application. (https://ss64.com/osx/syntax-defaults.html)
``` $ defaults -currentHost write com.apple.safari AppleAntiAliasingThreshold -int 16 ```
- Misc
- Commands looking at profile enrollment at work.
Profile enrollment of some sort?
``` $ profiles status -type enrollment ```
``` $ sudo profiles list _computerlevel[1] attribute: profileIdentifier: com.google.corp.gmac.applicationaccess _computerlevel[2] attribute: profileIdentifier: com.google.corp.gmac.chrome.extension.passwordalert _computerlevel[3] attribute: profileIdentifier: com.google.corp.gmac.networkprofile _computerlevel[4] attribute: profileIdentifier: com.google.corp.gmac.chrome.extensionsettings _computerlevel[5] attribute: profileIdentifier: com.google.corp.gmac.bird _computerlevel[6] attribute: profileIdentifier: com.google.mdm.profile.kext _computerlevel[7] attribute: profileIdentifier: com.google.mdm.profile.initial _computerlevel[8] attribute: profileIdentifier: com.google.corp.gmac.touchid _computerlevel[9] attribute: profileIdentifier: com.google.corp.gmac.internetsharing _computerlevel[10] attribute: profileIdentifier: com.google.corp.gmac.sparkle _computerlevel[11] attribute: profileIdentifier: com.google.corp.gmac.management _computerlevel[12] attribute: profileIdentifier: com.google.corp.gmac.restor _computerlevel[13] attribute: profileIdentifier: com.google.corp.gmac.chrome.extension.detangle _computerlevel[14] attribute: profileIdentifier: com.google.corp.gmac.chrome _computerlevel[15] attribute: profileIdentifier: com.google.corp.gmac.santa _computerlevel[16] attribute: profileIdentifier: com.google.corp.gmac.spotlight _computerlevel[17] attribute: profileIdentifier: com.google.corp.gmac.prefpanes There are 17 system configuration profiles installed ```
``` $ sudo profiles show -type enrollment Device Enrollment configuration: {
AllowPairing = 1; AwaitDeviceConfigured = 1; ConfigurationURL = "https://emmapplecodevice.googleapis.com/v1/_/deviceserver/C02h8e9nw/setup?key=AIzaSyAdMVj0IzE7K6u90EkdmoVTc_79_hO1i5w"; IsMDMUnremovable = 0; IsMandatory = 1; IsSupervised = 1; OrganizationAddress = "1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, n/a, , Mountain VIew, CA 94043"; OrganizationAddressLine1 = "1600 Amphitheatre Parkway"; OrganizationAddressLine2 = "n/a"; OrganizationCity = "Mountain VIew"; OrganizationCountry = USA; OrganizationEmail = "abma@google.com"; OrganizationName = "Google LLC"; OrganizationPhone = 12125658743; OrganizationZipCode = 94043; SkipSetup = ( AppleID, Siri, iCloudDiagnostics );
} ```
- Kernel extensions
Get list of approved kernel extensions (e.g. TripMode and Intel Power).
``` $ echo 'select * from kext_policy; ' | sudo sqlite3 /var/db/SystemPolicyConfiguration/KextPolicy 78UFGP42EU|ch.tripmode.TripModeNKE|1|Ludovic LEGER|1 Z3L495V9L4|com.intel.driver.EnergyDriver|1|Intel Corporation Apps|1 ```
``` $ echo 'select * from kext_policy_mdm;' | sudo sqlite3 /var/db/SystemPolicyConfiguration/KextPolicy EQHXZ8M8AV||1|82CBE2F3-84FA-4734-9E74-FB0F06DB8319 P8DQRXPVLP||1|82CBE2F3-84FA-4734-9E74-FB0F06DB8319 X9E956P446||1|82CBE2F3-84FA-4734-9E74-FB0F06DB8319 3T5GSNBU6W|com.github.osxfuse.filesystems.osxfuse|1|82CBE2F3-84FA-4734-9E74-FB0F06DB8319 ```
```console $ cat /var/db/ConfigurationProfiles/Settings/.cloudConfigRecordFound <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"> <plist version="1.0"> <dict> <key>CloudConfigProfile</key> <dict> <key>AllowPairing</key> <true/> ...
</dict>
</dict> </plsit> ```
- Code signing
Get code signing information about an app.
``` $ codesign -dvv /Applications/ESET\ Endpoint\ Antivirus.app/Contents/PlugIns/kext/esets_kac_64_109.kext Executable=/Applications/ESET Endpoint Antivirus.app/Contents/PlugIns/kext/esets_kac_64_109.kext/Contents/MacOS/esets_kac_64_109 Identifier=com.eset.kext.esets-kac Format=bundle with Mach-O thin (x86_64) CodeDirectory v=20200 size=759 flags=0x0(none) hashes=18+3 location=embedded Signature size=9055 Authority=Developer ID Application: ESET, spol. s r.o. (P8DQRXPVLP) Authority=Developer ID Certification Authority Authority=Apple Root CA Timestamp=22 Aug 2018 at 19:39:32 Info.plist entries=19 TeamIdentifier=P8DQRXPVLP Sealed Resources version=2 rules=13 files=1 Internal requirements count=1 size=36 ```
- PowerChime
The new MacBook Pro machine chimes when it gets power. Annoying??
- https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/265759/how-to-disable-plug-in-sound-on-late-2016-macbook-pro/265763#265763 - https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/282752/turning-power-chime-off
- Set static route, and make persistent on boot
In the example below I assume the Ethernet router has the IP 192.168.0.1 and the network behind the router is the 192.168.56.0/24 network.
``` sudo route add -net 192.168.56.0 192.168.0.1 ```
To make this route persistent add a launch daemon on your machines:
``` sudo nano /Library/LaunchDaemons/local.staticroute.shares.plist ```
with the content
```xml <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"> <plist version="1.0"> <dict>
<key>Label</key>
<string>local.staticroute.shares</string>
<key>ProgramArguments</key>
<array>
<string>route</string>
<string>add</string>
<string>-net</string>
<string>192.168.56.0</string>
<string>192.168.0.1</string>
</array>
<key>RunAtLoad</key>
<true/>
</dict>
</plist> ```
Save the file (Ctrl-O) and quit Nano (Ctrl-X).
Load the launch daemon with:
``` sudo launchctl load -w /Library/LaunchDaemons/local.staticroute.shares.plist ```
To access the shares enter afp://192.168.56.x, cifs://192.168.56.x or smb://192.168.56.x (with x= the last octet of the IP address of the share).
- Open System Preferences as root
```shell sudo /System/Applications/System\ Preferences.app/Contents/MacOS/System\ Preferences ```
- macOS Big Sur
- Change the menu bar date/time format
Update the format using Terminal.
``` defaults write com.apple.menuextra.clock DateFormat -string "EEE d MMM h:mm a" ```
My prefered version of the command. NOTE: spaces aren't needed.
``` defaults write com.apple.menuextra.clock DateFormat -string "EMdhhmmss" ```
- System Extensions
Get list of loaded extensions.
``` $ kmutil showloaded ```
Get list of loaded auxillary extensions.
``` $ kmutil showloaded --collection auxiliary ```
- macOS Catalina
- Remove "default interactive" warning for bash.
macOS Catalina ships with zsh as the default shell for licensing reasons. To notify users, a warning is presented each time a bash interactive shell is started.
``` The default interactive shell is now zsh. To update your account to use zsh, please run `chsh -s /bin/zsh`. For more details, please visit https://support.apple.com/kb/HT208050. ```
To disable the warning, add this to `~/.bash_profile` or equivalent.
``` export BASH_SILENCE_DEPRECATION_WARNING=1 ```