Apple’s M1 Macs have created a flutter of excitement among Mac users. The system consumes less power, performs amazingly well, and enhances the battery life. However, the system is not without its flaws, and users need to be aware of them, so they don’t lose their sleep over simple problems.
Continue reading to know some of the M1 Mac issues and possible solutions.
The Bluetooth connection is not reliable
Several Mac users complain about the unreliability of the Bluetooth connection. It is a serious problem if you plan to use a mic, mouse, keyboard, or other Bluetooth accessories to get things done.
Since Apple has removed the number of physical ports on the system, users have to rely on wireless connectivity for their external devices. Therefore, when it doesn’t work, it can make you want to throw your system out the window.
But don’t worry because Apple is quick to respond to such problems with software updates. Go to System Preferences and check if there’s any update available. If you find any, click to install the updates, and that should solve the Bluetooth connection problem.
Cannot boot from external drive
Storage failure is one of the most frustrating issues, and M1 chips can be a spine-chilling issue because you cannot boot your system if your internal SSD fails. If you are experiencing the problem that the M1 Mac can’t boot from external drive, you need to check the health of the SSD by opening Disk Drill or iStat Menus.
To make the SSD work again, you can update your macOS software. Also, you must ensure the SSD drive is encrypted.
Adobe applications are not functioning properly
Those who heavily rely on Adobe’s creative suite of applications like Photoshop and Lightroom might want to delay buying M1 Macs. Currently, Adobe is beta testing Lightroom for M1s, and Photoshop might not be functioning properly. The only solution is to try Photoshop alternatives if you need to use this app. For instance, you can try Pixelmator Pro or Affinity’s creative applications that function with the M1 CPU.
Compatibility problems with Google Backup, Microsoft Teams, and Sync
The usage of Microsoft Teams has skyrocketed due to the pandemic, and most organizations are investing in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Do you rely on Microsoft Teams to collaborate with your team and get your work done? It might come as a shock to you to hear that Microsoft Teams have compatibility problems with M1 Macs.
On M1-based Macs, Microsoft Teams works via Rosetta 2, and this does not offer the desired experience because it constantly runs in the background. Therefore, it can hamper the performance of your system’s battery. Similarly, Google Backup and Sync do not function properly.
If you want to connect with your team, you can start using Slack.
No Boot Camp to run Windows
There’s no Boot Camp on M1 Macs that will help you install and run Windows. But you can run a virtual machine like CrossOver Mac or Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac to run Windows. With this solution, you can launch Windows applications or play games on your Mac system that does not support Boot Camp.
Supports one external display
M1 Macs support limited external displays, which can be a problem if you need multiple external displays to get things done. You can use sidecar on DisplayPort, iPad, or special adapters to connect several M1 Macs.
You can utilize the laptop itself to not have to care about the different external display features. The single display support feature seems to work fine for many advanced users.
However, a macOS update fixes the issue faced by users regarding monitor incompatibility problems or issues with screen resolution with a widescreen monitor. You have to install the update.
Black screen and sudden crashes
Several users have complained that M1 Macs are suddenly crashing and restarting. Additionally, there are reports that the system is displaying a black screen. Users have also faced crashes when using their system on the latest version of Big Sur. Such issues can make you lose your sleep because you cannot get your work done.
Apple will fix these stability issues with M1 Macs, and you have to wait for the company to release a software update. By updating macOS, these problems should be fixed.
Battery problems
Users are complaining their system is rapidly draining battery life. It is not good news if you need your system running for long, especially when you are out. You need to check if your system has a battery problem, and if it does, the solution is to replace the battery. You also need to check if the charging adapter is faulty or in perfect condition. If these don’t work, update the macOS software.
The bottom line
These M1 Mac problems keep users on their toes. You know the fixes to these issues, so you don’t have to lose your sleep anymore.