How To Use Console on Mac?

Console is a useful, yet little-known tool available to macOS users. Indeed, due to its niche functionality, the vast majority of users may not be exactly sure what it does. So let's clear the confusion. Console allows users to view and manipulate the logs created on the system. The macOS alongside all applications and processes create notes about their activities and send them to the system. These notes are the aforementioned logs. Via Console, users can read the created logs, sort them by setting up specific search terms, and even share specific logs if needed. Each log record is defined by details, such as the time it was created, the process it is associated with and it's content. 

One of the most common uses for Console is to determine why an application might be crashing. By examining the logs related to the application, users can potentially discern the exact task that was running right before the crash. If the same circumstances are repeated in several logs, then that is the reason for the problems. Console also can be used to monitor the activities on the system in real-time, which may help to catch any suspicious process that you don't recognize or shouldn't be running currently. 

Starting and using Console

First, make sure that you are logged in with an admin account. Then navigate to your Applications folder, then the Utilities subfolder, and finally double-click Console to start it. In the Console window, on the left side, will be your Mac, and any devices that you are logged in with the same Apple ID and are connected to the Wi-Fi network currently. Click on the device you wish to see the logs for. 

Now, the displayed logs will be color-coded with red indicating a fault, yellow an error, dark gray signifies a debug log message, while light gray is an info log message. Pick the log you wish to examine, right-click it, and then select 'View.' From the available options, choose 'Expand Selected Row.' If you wish to check out the details of a particular log, select it, and then click on 'Details' in the lower window. 

To sort the displayed logs according to certain criteria, you can use the search bar. Users also can set up one or more filters to further narrow down the search. After you've finished setting up the filters and search queries, you may save it for future use by clicking on 'Save' located beneath the search bar. 

To share a log with someone else, select it and then click on the 'Share' button located in the toolbar. You can then select the 'Share' method that best fits your needs.