Issues | macOS

Learn about what troubleshooting steps to take if PiecesOS or the Pieces Desktop App isn’t working as expected on your macOS device.

Displaying macos.png

Manual Installation Methods

If you’re experiencing difficulties with installing PiecesOS or the Pieces Desktop App, you can install both softwares manually by downloading the standalone files or by using terminal commands.

If you’re not sure which .dmg or .pkg you need based on your device’s CPU, click here.

via PKG Files

Make sure to select the correct Pieces .pkg for your macOS device—Apple Silicon (ARM) or Intel.

Apple Silicon (ARM)	Intel
Download Pieces PKG for macOS (Apple Silicon / ARM)	Download Pieces PKG for macOS (Intel)

via DMG Files

Make sure to select the correct Pieces .dmg files for your macOS device—Apple Silicon (ARM) or Intel.

Apple Silicon (ARM)	Intel
Download PiecesOS DMG for macOS (ARM)	Download PiecesOS DMG for macOS (Intel)
Download Pieces Desktop App DMG for macOS (ARM)	Download Pieces Desktop App DMG for macOS (Intel)

via Homebrew

Installing PiecesOS and the Pieces Desktop App is automatically managed by a singular brew command, which is brew install --cask pieces.

Uninstalling

On your macOS device, navigate to Finder, then select Applications.

Scroll or search until you find both Pieces and PiecesOS. Right-click on these two applications and select Move to Trash.

Versions & Updates

Many issues can stem from out-of-date plugins, extensions, the desktop app, or PiecesOS itself.

Updating PiecesOS

To restart and check for updates to PiecesOS on macOS:

Restart PiecesOS
Ensure PiecesOS is running (look for the Pieces Icon in your system tray)
Check for and install available updates

Updating the Pieces Desktop App

Updating the Pieces Desktop App on Windows and macOS systems can be done by clicking the user icon to the right of the search bar at the top of the Pieces Desktop Window, then clicking Check for Desktop App Updates or Check for PiecesOS Updates.

To check the Pieces Desktop App for updates on macOS:

Open the Pieces Desktop App
Click the user icon to the right of the search bar at the top of the main app view
Click Check for Desktop App Updates

You can also click Check for PiecesOS Updates as an alternative to doing so in from the PiecesOS system window in your taskbar.

Common Installation Issues

There are a range of common install issues on Apple devices, like having an out-of-date OS version or selecting the wrong installation package.

Checking OS Version

Pieces Suite applications require a minimum macOS version of macOS 12.0 (Monterey). If you’re experiencing installation issues, you should first check your OS version to make sure it’s up-to-date.

To determine your Apple device’s version of macOS:

Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen
Select About This Mac
Under your device name (i.e., MacBook Air), look for the last line on the list, titled macOS

The macOS line will report what version of macOS installed, e.g., Sequoia 15.1.1.

Checking CPU Type

Intel and Apple Silicon (ARM) devices run on entirely separate CPU architectures, so downloading the wrong package for your Apple device can cause apps from the Pieces Suite to be rendered useless.

To determine what CPU architecture your Apple device utilizes:

Click the Apple () icon in the top-left corner of your screen.
Select About This Mac, and look for the Overview section. The first line will contain your CPU type:

Apple Silicon / ARM: You will see an M-Series processor, e.g., Apple M3
Intel: You will see an Intel processor, e.g., 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7

Once you’ve determined your CPU architecture, download the correct installation package accordingly.

Restart & Retry

If installation fails due to having an outdated version of macOS or installing the wrong package for your device’s architecture, restart your machine and try the installation again from scratch.

If the problem persists, please open a GitHub issue for further assistance, or book a call with our engineers.