Ask Different (Apple)
Q&A for power users of Apple hardware and software
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0
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macOS 14.6.1 : Mouse behaviors - Logitech wired and Magic Mouse controlled by the same settings
I have been useing a wired Logitech USB mouse for a couple years and all of a sudden it decided to slow way down. Thinking this was a preferences issue. Settings > Mouse, cranked the speed up to Max. Still slower than I would like. Break out the magic mouse, and it moves the cursor across the screen...
I have been useing a wired Logitech USB mouse for a couple years and all of a sudden it decided to slow way down. Thinking this was a preferences issue. Settings > Mouse, cranked the speed up to Max. Still slower than I would like. Break out the magic mouse, and it moves the cursor across the screen by tapping it.
So I have a standard USB mouse that is suddenly a slug and an Apple Magic Missle... Both of these devices are seemingly governed by a single preferences panel. Ostensibly stored in a .plist
Searches on this site state the file is
~/Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences.plist~/Users/brap/Desktop
Brand R
(1 rep)
Aug 18, 2024, 12:57 AM
• Last activity: Jun 8, 2025, 09:07 AM
1
votes
1
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95
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Increase the number of recent items on macOS past 50
I want more recent items, because I like having the list. - Most of the results I've found are pre-macOS 11, referencing `defaults` keys like NSRecentDocumentsLimit and NSNaveRecentPlacesLimit. I haven't found any mentions of these in `~/Library`, on macOS 14.5. - Here's a more recent explanation of...
I want more recent items, because I like having the list.
- Most of the results I've found are pre-macOS 11, referencing
defaults keys like NSRecentDocumentsLimit and NSNaveRecentPlacesLimit. I haven't found any mentions of these in ~/Library, on macOS 14.5.
- Here's a more recent explanation of sharedfilelistd and sfltool, though it's still from Oct 2017: https://eclecticlight.co/2017/08/10/recent-items-launch-services-and-sharedfilelists/
I think the options I want would be in ~/Library/Application Support/com.apple.sharedfilelist, stored under per-application com.apple.LSSharedFileList.MaxAmount keys. But where is the original value set, other than in System Settings.app?
chronospoon
(472 rep)
Jul 26, 2024, 01:19 AM
• Last activity: Jun 5, 2025, 12:08 AM
1
votes
1
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1064
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Safari Autofill "Other Forms" is not working
I complete forms on a particular website regularly. I used to be prompted (I cannot remember when this stopped, but it was after updating Safari - now 15.6) with previous entries in each field via a dropdown box (these were not generated by the site). For eg. If in a particular field I'd previously...
I complete forms on a particular website regularly. I used to be prompted (I cannot remember when this stopped, but it was after updating Safari - now 15.6) with previous entries in each field via a dropdown box (these were not generated by the site).
For eg. If in a particular field I'd previously (on different occasions) entered: 1234, 1235, 1236 & 1237 then as soon as I started typing 1 in that field a dropdown box would open with all these as suggestions to choose from. This would include complete sentences.
This no longer occurs.
I've spent much time searching for solutions after trying the obvious: turning off autofill/other forms, restarting Safari and turning it back on again to no avail.
I cannot even find out where the list of forms that have saved autofill data is kept (so I can delete it in the hope that it gets reinstated)...?
Is there a way to force information entered on a web page form to be saved?
If anyone can help me, it will save me an incredible amount of time over the rest of my life?
Timmy
(11 rep)
Aug 11, 2022, 05:57 PM
• Last activity: May 27, 2025, 06:02 PM
1
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1
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555
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Unable to add apps to Security & Privacy Preference on MacOS Mojave
Yesterday. I cloned my hard drive to my SSD for use. One of the essential apps I need to use is EVKey which works fine with no issue before. After I boot up the SSD, I notice that I am not able to add it to Preference which is needed for it to work at all. This app works out of the box back on my Mo...
Yesterday. I cloned my hard drive to my SSD for use. One of the essential apps I need to use is EVKey which works fine with no issue before.
After I boot up the SSD, I notice that I am not able to add it to Preference which is needed for it to work at all. This app works out of the box back on my Mojave installation on the hard drive so I'm confused on what happened.
I tried all tcc reset commands but none of them work, I even disabled SIP which then everything works but it immediately broke after I enabled SIP back. I tried to find the TCC.db file but such file doesn't exist on my mac. Can somebody help me with this? I'm confused as hell
P/s: I'm on a mid-2012 MBP with Mojave 10.16.6
schlong
(23 rep)
Dec 27, 2021, 12:41 PM
• Last activity: May 12, 2025, 12:06 PM
18
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2
answers
23000
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How to unblock binary from use because Mac says it is not from identified developer
I have a binary from work that I'm trying to run. I keep getting an error that `“my-binary-amd64” cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified.` I've looked up solutions online and so far I'm encountering problems. [This article][1] for example suggests navigating to your **Security & P...
I have a binary from work that I'm trying to run. I keep getting an error that
The second suggestion is to find the app on finder and click through some settings. But this is simply a binary, so it doesn't show up in the finder so I can' figure this one out.
“my-binary-amd64” cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified.
I've looked up solutions online and so far I'm encountering problems. This article for example suggests navigating to your **Security & Privacy** settings and unlocking the ability to allow changes. I see the prompt for `"my-binary-amd4" was blocked from use because it is not from an identified developer' and then there is an **Allow Anyway** button but that doesn't do anything. (see image below)
The second suggestion is to find the app on finder and click through some settings. But this is simply a binary, so it doesn't show up in the finder so I can' figure this one out.
Hofbr
(387 rep)
Feb 8, 2022, 11:01 PM
• Last activity: May 8, 2025, 12:21 PM
2
votes
1
answers
410
views
Why do my user preferences get lost on reboot?
Apple Mail, the OS bluetooth subsystem and some other applications (e.g. Fantastical and Things app) loose relevant (but not all) configuration and preferences on nearly every reboot. For Apple Mail it seems that all lost settings are stored in the file ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail/Data/Libra...
Apple Mail, the OS bluetooth subsystem and some other applications (e.g. Fantastical and Things app) loose relevant (but not all) configuration and preferences on nearly every reboot.
For Apple Mail it seems that all lost settings are stored in the file ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail/Data/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist. I haven't yet identified the other affected files.
It does not happen if I hunt for it (keep rebooting), but only after using the Mac for a while.
I currently run macOS 10.15.6 on a MacBook Pro 16" with only a few popular Apps from the App Store plus Microsoft Office.
I am a long term Mac user. The bad behavior started approximately 2 years ago after an update to macOS High Sierra (I think). The Mac became more a more unusable because of this and other strange bugs (it also started to become extremely slow, so I had to reboot regularly, loosing all settings afterwards). Repairing and even installing the OS did not help. Therefore, I got a new Mac and installed everything from scratch (no restore from a backup) and installed only very little software on the system. However, the preferences still get lost on nearly every reboot!
What could cause the file contents to be lost on nearly every reboot?
h2stein
(151 rep)
Jul 30, 2020, 03:39 PM
• Last activity: May 6, 2025, 06:04 PM
16
votes
2
answers
12439
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Finder- Reopen Last Closed Window
Finder does not seem to navigate to the last folder opened. For instance, when I am saving several files or images - it would be nice to (and used to ) open in the last place I placed something - now it defaults to "User" and I have to navigate each time - very frustrating.
Finder does not seem to navigate to the last folder opened. For instance, when I am saving several files or images - it would be nice to (and used to ) open in the last place I placed something - now it defaults to "User" and I have to navigate each time - very frustrating.
tim
(161 rep)
Aug 30, 2013, 02:29 AM
• Last activity: Apr 6, 2025, 08:10 AM
5
votes
2
answers
17731
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How do I reset to default window sizes in MacOS Safari's Responsive Design Mode?
I use MacOS Safari's Responsive Design Mode for web development (`Command-Option-R` or `'Develop'` > `'Enter Responsive Design Mode'` in the menu. I have "accidentally" changed the largest window size to a random size (should be 1920 x 1080) by adjusting the horizontal and vertical handles. I would...
I use MacOS Safari's Responsive Design Mode for web development (
Command-Option-R or 'Develop' > 'Enter Responsive Design Mode' in the menu.
I have "accidentally" changed the largest window size to a random size (should be 1920 x 1080) by adjusting the horizontal and vertical handles. I would like to reset to 1920 x 1080, but it is very difficult to do by adjusting the handles because of the responsiveness of the controls; it's hard to stop on a specific dimension. Unfortunately, that is the only way I can see to do it, as I can't find a reset control or option anywhere?
I have searched the menu options and the almighty Google and can't seem to find an answer? I suspect there is .plist I can remove? Could someone point me in the right direction?
Rhecil Codes
(395 rep)
Jun 26, 2017, 07:08 PM
• Last activity: Mar 12, 2025, 08:47 PM
2
votes
4
answers
1571
views
Text To Speech - Custom Rate (not on the slider)
In System Preferences, under **Dictation & Speech**, there is a **Speaking Rate** setting:  Is there a way to change the **Speaking Rate** to a value that is not on that slider bar? For example, if I want the speech rate to b...
In System Preferences, under **Dictation & Speech**, there is a **Speaking Rate** setting:
Is there a way to change the **Speaking Rate** to a value that is not on that slider bar?
For example, if I want the speech rate to be faster than the maximum slider value, how can I do that? There's a way to make the terminal speak certain lines of text faster (e.g.
say --rate 500 "hello world"), but I'd like it to be the system-wide setting.
Can this be set using something like default write com.example.apple.speech.rate 999?
user3621156
(51 rep)
Nov 14, 2014, 01:44 AM
• Last activity: Mar 8, 2025, 04:21 PM
0
votes
1
answers
315
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How can I change the colour matching option in the Default Settings printer preset?
Specifically, I want to change the colour matching for my Canon Pixma G3500 from Canon Color Matching to ColorSync. In the print dialog, `Default Settings`, `Draft Printing on Plain Paper` and `Fine Printing on Plain Paper` cannot be permanently changed or deleted. I can create custom settings but i...
Specifically, I want to change the colour matching for my Canon Pixma G3500 from Canon Color Matching to ColorSync.
In the print dialog,
Default Settings, Draft Printing on Plain Paper and Fine Printing on Plain Paper cannot be permanently changed or deleted.
I can create custom settings but ideally I would like to change the defaults to avoid accidental wasted prints in future, for example if somebody using the print dialog chooses one of the three hardcoded presets instead of custom settings.
Hobbsworth
(1629 rep)
Jul 25, 2020, 02:10 PM
• Last activity: Mar 2, 2025, 11:06 AM
6
votes
0
answers
641
views
How can I force macOS's "look up" feature to use my default browser to search?
In system preferences, I have my default browser set to Google Chrome. When I am using Chrome, if I select a word and force-click it, I get the usual dictionary pop-up, but if the word is not found in the dictionary the pop-up will have a button to "Search with Google". Clicking this button causes S...
In system preferences, I have my default browser set to Google Chrome.
When I am using Chrome, if I select a word and force-click it, I get the usual dictionary pop-up, but if the word is not found in the dictionary the pop-up will have a button to "Search with Google". Clicking this button causes Safari to open and the search is duly performed.
I can configure which search engine is used (and mentioned in the look-up pop-up) in Safari's preferences, but macOS appears to ignore my browser preference and always use Safari to do the search.
Is there a way to fix that?
cpcallen
(935 rep)
Aug 10, 2022, 04:34 PM
• Last activity: Feb 11, 2025, 05:20 PM
1
votes
0
answers
199
views
How can I find all preferences or settings files relevant to a particular app?
When troubleshooting apps, a common remedy is to delete or clear their `.plist` files. On macOS Sequoia 15.3, I discovered that clearing `~/Library/com.apple.TV.plist` with `defaults delete com.apple.TV.plist` left most of the app settings unchanged. Is there a way (preferably using Terminal) to dis...
When troubleshooting apps, a common remedy is to delete or clear their
.plist files.
On macOS Sequoia 15.3, I discovered that clearing ~/Library/com.apple.TV.plist with defaults delete com.apple.TV.plist left most of the app settings unchanged.
Is there a way (preferably using Terminal) to discover the locations of all the .plist and any other settings files directly relevant to a particular app?
Hobbsworth
(1629 rep)
Jan 23, 2025, 01:33 PM
• Last activity: Jan 23, 2025, 03:41 PM
1
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0
answers
25
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Merging / migrating text replacements from MBP Late-2013 to MBP M4
I had a large list of 'self-made hotkeys'. I've been trying to understand why only about 10% (quite a randomly selected subset, it seems), was indeed copied to my new machine. I've been directed to `~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.textInput.keyboardServices.textReplacement.plist` (old Mac), to `~/Li...
I had a large list of 'self-made hotkeys'. I've been trying to understand why only about 10% (quite a randomly selected subset, it seems), was indeed copied to my new machine. I've been directed to
~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.textInput.keyboardServices.textReplacement.plist (old Mac), to ~/Library/KeyboardServices/TextReplacements.db, ~/Library/KeyboardServices/TextReplacements.db-smh, ~/Library/KeyboardServices/TextReplacements.db-wal (new Mac), to GlobalPreferences.plist. So far, I haven't managed to merge the relevant files and place them in the right folder (which I don't know which one it is..)
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
EDIT: I think the key issue lies in the large jump between OS'es. My previous i7 Intel could not upgrade beyond Big Sur 11.7.10 [yes, it *could*, I've seen the video]. I think with Apple Silicon, and skipping 3 generations of OS's changed the rules. I've been to
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mchl2a7bd795/mac , it didn't help me. Perhaps I will figure it out tomorrow, after my exam.
EDIT 2: I think I fixed it. In the URL above, I forgot to choose Big Sur 11.0 for *exporting* the list, and then for *importing*, I had to switch to Sequoia 15. I was simply able to drag the .plist file onto/into the field/list on my new machine and it seemed to have merged them!
Jos van Nieuwman
(111 rep)
Jan 19, 2025, 09:28 PM
• Last activity: Jan 20, 2025, 02:57 AM
3
votes
1
answers
336
views
How to get font name of current profile in terminal app through the command line
``` gsettings get org.gnome.desktop.interface monospace-font-name ``` gnome has a dconf location which shows the font name How do you determine the current font name of the open tab in Mac Terminal, from the command line?
gsettings get org.gnome.desktop.interface monospace-font-name
Ridhwaan Shakeel
(223 rep)
Jan 4, 2025, 06:12 AM
• Last activity: Jan 4, 2025, 07:22 PM
4
votes
3
answers
6843
views
Want Preview to default to Thumbnail view in Sidebar
I want to have Preview default to Thumbnail view in the Sidebar. There is a Preference option to display the Sidebar or not. But, there is no option to choose which Sidebar option an individual might want as their default. Is there a way to do this? MAC OS x 10.10.2 Yosemite -Dennis
I want to have Preview default to Thumbnail view in the Sidebar. There is a Preference option to display the Sidebar or not. But, there is no option to choose which Sidebar option an individual might want as their default.
Is there a way to do this?
MAC OS x 10.10.2 Yosemite
-Dennis
DirtRoadEcon
(41 rep)
Feb 26, 2015, 08:57 PM
• Last activity: Nov 9, 2024, 11:34 PM
1
votes
1
answers
39
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Fix Microsoft Outlook Main Window Position
On a multiple display system, Microsoft Outlook always opens on the currently active display. The previous position of Outlook is ignored. The NSWindow Frame MainWindow value in the plist always gets overwritten to the new window position. How do I keep this value fixed? Or in more general terms, ho...
On a multiple display system, Microsoft Outlook always opens on the currently active display.
The previous position of Outlook is ignored.
The NSWindow Frame MainWindow value in the plist always gets overwritten to the new window position.
How do I keep this value fixed? Or in more general terms, how can I make Outlook remember its previous location and open the Window at that exact location?
Mars
(183 rep)
Oct 4, 2024, 05:44 AM
• Last activity: Oct 12, 2024, 09:37 AM
88
votes
9
answers
260430
views
How can I add new folders to the Favorites in the Finder sidebar?
I'd like to create a new Favorites folder item in the Finder, how can I tell the Finder that I would like a particular folder to appear in my list of Favorites shown on the left hand sidebar of the Finder window and in dialogs to open a file in an application? I expected to find this in the Finder's...
I'd like to create a new Favorites folder item in the Finder, how can I tell the Finder that I would like a particular folder to appear in my list of Favorites shown on the left hand sidebar of the Finder window and in dialogs to open a file in an application? I expected to find this in the Finder's Preferences, but the Sidebar tab of the preferences only allows you to toggle the visibility of your existing Favorites, not add new ones. I see that applications like DropBox are able to extend this Sidebar, so what about an end user, how can I extend it?
WilliamKF
(2337 rep)
Jul 18, 2014, 08:03 PM
• Last activity: Oct 4, 2024, 06:09 AM
2
votes
0
answers
2682
views
Safari autofill preferences grayed out
## Question My Safari preferences pane looks like this: [![enter image description here][1]][1] How do I fix this? Can I change these settings by editing or creating a plist file? I'm on macOS Big Sur (version 11.3) on a 2019 Macbook Pro 16-inch. Safari version is Version 14.1 (16611.1.21.161.3). --...
## Question
My Safari preferences pane looks like this:
How do I fix this? Can I change these settings by editing or creating a plist file?
I'm on macOS Big Sur (version 11.3) on a 2019 Macbook Pro 16-inch. Safari version is Version 14.1 (16611.1.21.161.3).
----
## Here are some things I've tried
I have looked in every potentially related plist file I could find and didn't see anything that looked like a culprit. I moved the main Safari plist file to Desktop and restarted my computer to see if it would work--it didn't.
Also, I tried this:
I went to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy, scrolled down to Full Disk Access, gave Terminal full disk access, then did:
How do I fix this? Can I change these settings by editing or creating a plist file?
I'm on macOS Big Sur (version 11.3) on a 2019 Macbook Pro 16-inch. Safari version is Version 14.1 (16611.1.21.161.3).
----
## Here are some things I've tried
I have looked in every potentially related plist file I could find and didn't see anything that looked like a culprit. I moved the main Safari plist file to Desktop and restarted my computer to see if it would work--it didn't.
Also, I tried this:
I went to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy, scrolled down to Full Disk Access, gave Terminal full disk access, then did:
defaults write com.apple.Safari AutoFillMiscellaneousForms -bool true
defaults write com.apple.Safari AutoFillCreditCardData -bool true
defaults write com.apple.Safari AutoFillPasswords -bool true
defaults write com.apple.Safari AutoFillFromAddressBook -bool true
Joseph Hansen
(1159 rep)
May 5, 2021, 09:51 PM
• Last activity: Sep 23, 2024, 02:07 PM
0
votes
0
answers
33
views
Determine the UUID or URL of the recent conversations using local data from the ChatGPT macOS app?
For some convenience scripts, Alfred workflows etc I would like to be able to programmatically determine the UUID (and hence the URL) of my chats. This used to be easy by simply looking in the data directory of the [ChatGPT macOS app][3], which can be determined using: ```bash OPENAI_ACCOUNT=$(defau...
For some convenience scripts, Alfred workflows etc I would like to be able to programmatically determine the UUID (and hence the URL) of my chats. This used to be easy by simply looking in the data directory of the ChatGPT macOS app , which can be determined using:
OPENAI_ACCOUNT=$(defaults read com.openai.chat activeAccountID)
cd "$HOME/Library/Application Support/$BUNDLE_ID/conversations-v2-$OPENAI_ACCOUNT"*.data files, which *used* to be stored in unencrypted bplist (Binary Plist) format. The filenames directly corresponded to the UUID of the chat, and those conversation IDs were synced between the web app and the desktop app. Thus, you could trivially reconstruct the full URL using the format chatgpt.com/c/{uuid} e.g.:
https://chatgpt.com/c/0c8f1e06-e42c-4596-beeb-3baa1ed2770e plutil -extract title raw 0c8f1e06-e42c-4596-beeb-3baa1ed2770e.data
==> Methods of restarting a systemd service
luckman212
(3945 rep)
Sep 17, 2024, 03:06 PM
• Last activity: Sep 18, 2024, 09:20 AM
0
votes
0
answers
63
views
Using terminal command or script to turn on/off time sensitive notifications in Focus preferences
I am using macOS Monterey. I wanted to know if there is a Terminal command or a script that I can run to turn ON/OFF time sensitive notifications in Focus preferences. I am new to scripting and I came to know that using the command *open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.preference.notifications?...
I am using macOS Monterey. I wanted to know if there is a Terminal command or a script that I can run to turn ON/OFF time sensitive notifications in Focus preferences.
I am new to scripting and I came to know that using the command *open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.preference.notifications?Focus"* I can open the Focus preferences.
I don't know if there is any command to click on options and toggle the checkbox for allowing time-sensitive notifications.
lokesh L P
(121 rep)
Sep 1, 2024, 10:58 AM
• Last activity: Sep 1, 2024, 04:58 PM
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