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Original poster

MacBook help!

37 replies

LetMeJustCheckMyCitrusPocket · 25/12/2025 14:38

Hello all and Merry Christmas!

The inevitable tech problem on Christmas Day 😬

Daughter has been given a MacBook Air 2022. Spec etc still looked great even though not latest model but now saying she can't download TikTok and YouTube apps etc.

Does anyone know if this is true and if there's any way round it?

She's been very appreciative but this has thrown me.

Thanks in advance for any info or advice x

OP posts:
ClassicalQueen · 25/12/2025 15:39

You can download these apps on your macbook as long as you’re signed in with your AppleID. However it’s easier to use the browser versions, you will stay signed in.

Lonelycrab · 25/12/2025 15:41

Strongly suspect the OS needs updating.

We brought my ds’s Mac mini (2021 m1) down to my parents yesterday. Tried to login to Disney- blank screen. Tried to download chrome- couldn’t.

Turned out he’d never updated it since I bought it for him, just uses it for Minecraft. Performed the update (3 hours or so!) and everything worked just fine. Chrome available at App Store, Disney login as normal.

Lots of things simply won’t work/ aren’t available if your os is 4-5 years old.

Original poster
LetMeJustCheckMyCitrusPocket · 25/12/2025 15:49

Clefable · 25/12/2025 15:25

Silly question, but she knows how to access web pages etc? You don’t need apps for those things as you just visit them in your browser, so she can just go to YouTube.com to watch her stuff.

Sometimes kids have never used a proper laptop and are used to a tablet etc where it’s all apps. But for a laptop plenty of stuff is still browser-based. The internet browser (Safari, Chrome) is where she will get the stuff she wants to see.

Edited

Thank you, yes I did think mostly browser based too and that would just keep her logged in but she threw me saying it was all apps.

OP posts:
Original poster
LetMeJustCheckMyCitrusPocket · 25/12/2025 15:49

ClassicalQueen · 25/12/2025 15:39

You can download these apps on your macbook as long as you’re signed in with your AppleID. However it’s easier to use the browser versions, you will stay signed in.

Yes will suggest again that mostly browser based, thanks.

OP posts:
Lonelycrab · 25/12/2025 15:50

We only ever use YouTube via browser (safari) on our macs, and we watch a lot.

Original poster
LetMeJustCheckMyCitrusPocket · 25/12/2025 15:51

Lonelycrab · 25/12/2025 15:41

Strongly suspect the OS needs updating.

We brought my ds’s Mac mini (2021 m1) down to my parents yesterday. Tried to login to Disney- blank screen. Tried to download chrome- couldn’t.

Turned out he’d never updated it since I bought it for him, just uses it for Minecraft. Performed the update (3 hours or so!) and everything worked just fine. Chrome available at App Store, Disney login as normal.

Lots of things simply won’t work/ aren’t available if your os is 4-5 years old.

Edited

That's a good point, thanks, will attempt to double check that and hope she knows how to update it 😬

OP posts:
Lonelycrab · 25/12/2025 15:53

LetMeJustCheckMyCitrusPocket · 25/12/2025 15:51

That's a good point, thanks, will attempt to double check that and hope she knows how to update it 😬

Show quote history

Just be aware that, even with a good internet connection, it takes quite a few hours, and your machine is effectively locked up for that time.

Original poster
LetMeJustCheckMyCitrusPocket · 25/12/2025 15:59

Lonelycrab · 25/12/2025 15:50

We only ever use YouTube via browser (safari) on our macs, and we watch a lot.

That's good to know thanks, was just the "not knowing" if I was right to start panicking!

OP posts:
Original poster
LetMeJustCheckMyCitrusPocket · 25/12/2025 16:00

Lonelycrab · 25/12/2025 15:53

Just be aware that, even with a good internet connection, it takes quite a few hours, and your machine is effectively locked up for that time.

Show quote history

Yes very true I think we may have to try it later 😬

OP posts:
Original poster
LetMeJustCheckMyCitrusPocket · 25/12/2025 16:02

Thank you so much everyone for your tips and advice, so very much appreciated you've taken the time to reply when I'm sure lots of you are juggling various relatives, Christmas dinners etc 😁

OP posts:
PhantomOfAllKnowledge · 25/12/2025 16:55

LetMeJustCheckMyCitrusPocket · 25/12/2025 16:02

Thank you so much everyone for your tips and advice, so very much appreciated you've taken the time to reply when I'm sure lots of you are juggling various relatives, Christmas dinners etc 😁

Oh, for the days when all you had to do was remember to buy batteries 😆

Original poster
LetMeJustCheckMyCitrusPocket · 25/12/2025 17:03

PhantomOfAllKnowledge · 25/12/2025 16:55

Oh, for the days when all you had to do was remember to buy batteries 😆

Show quote history

I long for those days !😁

OP posts:
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