The Mac Observer

TMO is your go-to source for everything related to Apple and Mac. We provide Mac enthusiasts with the newest updates, insights, advice, and reviews covering a variety of products and services.

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Face ID Not Working After iOS 18/18.5? 5 Quick Fixes

1 day ago | macobserver.com | Jose Luansing Jr.

Biometric authentication systems changed the way users interact with Apple devices. You can use your face to unlock your device, make payments, and confirm actions instead of entering passcodes repeatedly. Like most people, you’ve probably gotten used to facial recognition’s speed and convenience. Face ID is generally reliable, although occasional issues like iOS 18 update bugs can cause it to stop working. It’s easy to assume the worst and think that hardware is to blame.
Can’t Update to iOS 18.5? Here’s What To Do

2 days ago | macobserver.com | Jose Luansing Jr.

Stable releases are meant to be reliable, but update problems still happen. If your device refuses to install the recent update, here’s what might be causing it and how to fix it. Time needed: 3 minutesiOS updates temporarily unpack, verify, and migrate system components. If your iPhone has less than 2GB of free space, the update might stall during the preparation or verification stage.
Safari Can’t Download Files to Your External Drive? Here’s What To Do

2 days ago | macobserver.com | Jose Luansing Jr.

Your Mac’s internal drive is fine for everyday use. But if you frequently download large files or work with media projects, it’s often better to save directly to an external drive. It’s faster and cleaner, plus it keeps your Mac from getting bogged down. You’ll notice it especially when you’re juggling RAM-heavy apps in the background. Safari generally handles this well, but glitches do happen. And the problem is, you might not realize the download failed until it’s too late.
Fix: Finder Copy and Paste Keeps Breaking on macOS 15

2 days ago | macobserver.com | Jose Luansing Jr.

Finder is the command center of your Mac’s file system. It’s where you move documents, delete apps, copy folders, and basically manage everything on your drive. So when a core function like copy-and-paste keeps breaking, it’s hard to troubleshoot because there’s really nowhere else to go. The best approach is to zero in on the most likely causes. If you’ve already restarted your Mac and the problem persists, here’s what you can try next.
How To Fix Frequent App Crashes on macOS 15

2 days ago | macobserver.com | Jose Luansing Jr.

macOS 15 was Apple’s ticket into the AI race. It introduced a wave of upgrades, including the much-hyped Apple Intelligence. However, smarter tools don’t always translate to better performance. As early macOS beta users found out, bugs are still common, and one of the most frustrating is frequent app crashes. Even apps like Instagram or Snapchat would freeze up without warning. It’s hard to troubleshoot when you don’t know what’s causing it.
Whoop vs Apple Watch: Which Fitness Tracker Wins? Full Breakdown + Charts

2 days ago | macobserver.com | Jose Luansing Jr.

The fitness tracker world has come a long way since Fitbit launched more than 15 years ago. Today, you’ve got dozens of options, some sleek, some rugged, and some packed with features you’ll never use. But two of the most popular names right now are Whoop and Apple Watch. You’ll spot them on athletes, influencers, and casual cardio bunnies alike. But unless you’re the type to A/B test your workouts, there’s really no reason to buy both. Don’t just follow what your favorite fitness influencer wears.
Move to iOS Not Working on Android? Here’s How To Fix It

2 days ago | macobserver.com | Jose Luansing Jr.

Move to iOS has always been a convenient and secure way to migrate to the Apple ecosystem. It helps Android users transfer essentials like contacts, messages, photos, videos, mail accounts, calendars, and even WhatsApp chats. Although the process is usually smooth, bugs aren’t unheard of, especially if you’re moving large volumes of data. When the app stalls or fails to connect, it’s easy to assume your files are gone for good. But if I had to guess, you probably didn’t lose anything.
Full List of New Emojis on iOS 18.4 (2025)

5 days ago | macobserver.com | Jose Luansing Jr.

As expected with other minor releases, iOS 18.4 didn’t bring a massive redesign. However, it did deliver something users always look forward to: new emojis! Whether you’re the type to reply with a single icon or spam paragraphs of random emoticons, you’ll get more ways to express yourself. Apple added eight new options this round, including fresh smileys, objects, and inclusive designs. Here’s what you’ll get. This one’s giving “I haven’t slept in three days” energy.
How To Open the Properties of a File or Folder on a MacBook (macOS)

5 days ago | macobserver.com | Jose Luansing Jr.

Switching from Windows to macOS? There are a few UI quirks that you’ll need to adjust to, but one of the most noticeable is the lack of a dedicated right-click button. Without it, finding familiar options, like viewing a file or folder’s properties, can feel confusing at first. macOS handles these actions differently. It doesn’t use a dedicated “Properties” label, but once you know where to look, opening detailed info is simple. Here’s how to open your MacBook’s context menu.
Apple Watch Braided Solo Loop: How Long Does It Last?

6 days ago | macobserver.com | Nick deCourville

Today, I’m taking a look at the Braided Solo Loop for Apple Watch and assessing whether or not its durability justifies the price tag. Some folks are averse to spending lavishly right now, so the price tag of the Braided Solo Loop is likely to give many a pause. However, considering the price of the Apple Watch, I don’t think the cost is too outlandish, especially since I’ve got some tips to help make the loop last.