Apple released macOS Ventura in late October 2022 bringing some interesting features as well as some new issues. If you’re having problems after upgrading from macOS Monterey to Ventura, here are some solutions that may help.
AirDrop doesn’t work
AirDrop is a fantastic feature when it works and incredibly frustrating when it doesn’t. A macOS update sometimes leads to AirDrop problems. Fortunately, a few simple tips can usually correct the problem. The easiest solution is to open the Control Center and turn AirDrop off and on again. You can also try switching between Contacts Only and Everyone.
If that doesn’t work, you may need to restart the Finder. If you’ve never done this before, it sounds like an extreme solution, but it’s quick and painless. Just open the Apple menu and select Force Quit, then select Finder from the list and press the Restart button. There will be a warning about losing unsaved changes, so be sure to save any open documents first.
Quick view does not work
Quick Look is another feature that may fail after updating to macOS Ventura. This is the handy preview image of the current file that appears when you tap the space bar. Press the spacebar again to close the preview. It’s a great timesaver that works in the Finder and also in most file browser windows within other applications.
You might not realize how great Quick Look is until it stops working. Restarting Finder as described above will often fix the problem. You can also open the Force Quit window with a keyboard combination, Command + Option + Escape.
It sounds like a cliché, but restarting your Mac can also fix this problem. There’s a reason that the recommendation to restart is heard so often by computer experts. Giving your computer a fresh start is a good idea and can solve many persistent issues that can be hard to figure out.
Battery drain
With every new operating system, some background processing goes on for at least a few hours and sometimes takes days to finish updating and indexing the various files. This means your MacBook might feel a little sluggish from the extra work, and you’ll probably need to charge it more often.
Most Apple Silicon MacBook models will still have enough battery life to get you through your workday without having to stay plugged in, but you can reduce power consumption by switching to Power Mode low.
In the most powerful MacBook model, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Max processor, there is an option for High Power mode. When this is enabled, your laptop will not save power. If macOS Ventura is cutting your runtime too much, switching this to Automatic or even Low Power will help.
How to get down to Monterey
One of the most common Apple forum discussions about macOS Ventura is how to restore the previous operating system. It’s not that there are any major problems with macOS Ventura, but if one or more of your critical applications don’t work with Ventura, you might be tempted to switch to Monterey, the previous version of macOS.
The app or apps that aren’t working now may get updates soon, so you might want to check with the developer if a beta version is available or if a Ventura release is coming soon. If you absolutely must replace macOS Ventura with Monterey, it is possible and relatively easy.
If you have a recently released Mac, it likely has an Apple Silicon processor. This makes landing relatively simple. Just turn off your Mac and hold down the power button to turn it back on. Keep holding the power button until you see the boot options screen. Select options and then reinstall Monterey.
On an Intel Mac, the process is similar. Turn off and on again, holding Command + R until you see the Apple logo or another image. In either case, you need to make sure you have a backup drive and reliable power to keep your Mac running during the macOS update.
If you haven’t updated yet and are concerned by these issues, it’s important to keep in mind that most people have few, if any, issues with macOS Ventura. It was a pretty solid release even in beta testing and has been available for a few months and had two updates already.
What’s new in Ventura?
Among the most interesting updates included with macOS Ventura are the intriguing new Stage Manager option for multitasking and the Freeform app that offers an infinite canvas that can be shared with others.
Continuous Camera lets you use your iPhone as a premium webcam. Speaking of integration, FaceTime can now use Handoff to move a call from your Mac to your iPhone or iPad, so you can continue a conversation while staying mobile.
There are dozens of other great features, and the latest version of macOS generally offers more privacy and protection against cyberattacks. If you haven’t yet upgraded to macOS Ventura, check out our guide to updating your Mac quickly and easily.
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