macOS · Troubleshooting
Inspect system and app logs
Use the Console app to view real-time and historical system logs, crash reports, and diagnostic messages generated by macOS and installed apps.
How to open Console: View System Logs
- Open Console from Applications → Utilities
- Select a device or log source from the sidebar
- Use the search field to filter by process or keyword
- Reproduce the issue and review the captured log entries
What you should know
- Located in Applications → Utilities → Console
- Sidebar organizes logs by device, process, and crash reports
- Search and filter tools help narrow down relevant entries
- Live streaming view shows log messages as they happen
Why it matters
Console exposes the detailed, low-level messages macOS and apps generate internally, which is often the only way to pinpoint the exact cause of a crash, freeze, or unexpected behavior. While the raw output can be dense for casual users, filtering by process or time window narrows it down to something actionable, especially when working with Apple Support or a developer to diagnose an issue. It's a foundational troubleshooting tool for anyone going beyond basic restart-and-retry fixes.
Best practices
- Filter by the specific app or process name to cut through unrelated noise
- Reproduce the issue while Console is actively streaming to capture relevant logs
- Export a log excerpt when sharing details with Apple Support or a developer
- Check the Crash Reports section first for app-specific failures
Common problems and fixes
- Log output is overwhelming and hard to parse
- Use the search field and process filters to narrow results to a specific app or time range.
- Can't find a crash report for a recent app crash
- Check under the 'Crash Reports' section in the sidebar rather than the general log stream.
- Logs stop updating
- Click the Start/Stop streaming button to resume live capture.
Tips and tricks
- Use the 'Now' marker before reproducing an issue to quickly jump to relevant new entries
- Save a filtered log search as a preset for issues you troubleshoot frequently
Frequently asked questions
Do I need technical expertise to use Console?
Basic use like finding crash reports is accessible to most users, though deep log analysis benefits from technical familiarity.
Can Console show logs from other Apple devices?
Yes, if enabled, it can show logs from a connected iPhone or iPad in the sidebar.
How far back do logs go?
Retention varies, but recent activity, typically the past several days, is generally available.
Related settings
- Activity MonitorActivity Monitor is macOS's built-in tool for seeing exactly what's using your Mac's CPU, memory, energy, disk, and network resources in real time, broken down by individual app and process. It's the first place to look when the Mac feels slow, hot, or the fan is running loudly.
- Analytics & ImprovementsAnalytics & Improvements controls whether your Mac automatically sends crash reports and usage analytics to Apple, and optionally to third-party app developers, to help them find and fix bugs. It's separate from location services and general privacy settings, focused specifically on diagnostic and usage data.
More Troubleshooting guides for macOS
- Erase & Reset MacErase All Content and Settings lets you wipe your Mac back to factory defaults — useful for major troubleshooting, or before selling, trading in, or giving away your device.
- macOS RecoverymacOS Recovery is a built-in set of utilities for reinstalling macOS, restoring from a Time Machine backup, repairing a damaged disk, and resetting a forgotten password — all accessible without needing a working copy of macOS already running.
- Safe ModeSafe Mode starts your Mac with only essential system software and drivers loaded, skipping login items, most fonts, and system caches. It's a diagnostic first step used to determine whether a startup problem is caused by third-party software or a deeper system issue.
- Disk Utility First AidRun Disk Utility's First Aid tool to check a disk or volume for directory and file system errors and attempt automatic repair.
- Apple DiagnosticsUse Apple Diagnostics, launched at startup, to test your Mac's hardware components including memory, logic board, and battery for underlying issues.
- Reinstall macOSReinstall the current version of macOS over your existing system through Recovery Mode, replacing system files while keeping your apps, settings, and personal data intact.