Apple silicon Macs

Do more with the M1 or M2 chip in your new Mac

1 Use Touch ID

Using Passkeys is easier with Touch ID authentication. All Apple silicon Macs support this, and notebooks have it built into their keyboard. If your wireless keyboard doesn’t, consider replacement.

2 No remote Touch ID

You can’t use Touch ID over Universal Control, as it only works with the Mac or device that the keyboard is paired with.

3 Rosetta for Intel

Support is downloaded automatically when first needed to run an app. To minimise disruption, enter the following in Terminal instead: softwareupdate --install-rosetta --agree-to-license

4 Run iOS apps

In the App Store app, select your account at the bottom left, and the iPhone & iPad Apps tab at the top to view and install those that you’ve already purchased.

5 Check your security settings

A full overview of boot security is in System Information > Hardware > Controller.

6 Avoid Kernel Extensions

Apple silicon Macs work best with modern System Extensions. Avoid old Kernel Extensions, which require downgrading Secure Boot in Startup Security Utility.

7 Wipe internal SSD

You can’t fully erase the internal SSD of an Apple silicon Mac, unless you put it into DFU mode and restore it from another Mac, using a special software image from Apple.

8 Run hardware diagnostics

Enter Recovery mode, and at the first screen hold Cmd+D until the Mac restarts and the Diagnostics Loader menu appears in the menu bar.

9 Dictating emoji

When using dictation through System Settings > Keyboard > Dictation, Apple silicon Macs now let you insert named emoji in your text.