iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The spinning rainbow circle on a MacBook is macOS’s wait cursor. It means the Mac is loading items or has been delayed for more than a few seconds. It does not say which app or process is causing the delay, and it is not proof of a hardware fault.
What the symbol is called
Apple’s support documentation on pointers in macOS lists this cursor as the Wait (spinning disk) cursor, with the description “Items are loading.” The same guide also describes it as the wait cursor and says it “Appears when a delay of more than a few seconds occurs.” Many people call it the spinning beach ball or spinning wheel, and those informal names refer to the same cursor.
What it does and does not tell you
The cursor is a signal that the system is busy or waiting on something. It can appear while an app opens a large file, while a download or sync runs in the background, or while an app stops responding. Because the symbol looks the same in each case, it cannot tell you which of these is happening. Treat it as a prompt to check, not a diagnosis.
Recommended Free Tools
What to do when the cursor appears
Apple’s guidance follows a sequence of increasingly firm steps:
#1 Best Overall
- Fits for MacBook pro 15 inch a1990 battery: Battery Model：A1953. Parameter---Capacity: 7400mAh/84.36Wh, Voltage: 11.4V. Battery Type: Li-Polymer
- Battery Advantages: 1.More than 1500+ recharge cycles over the life of the battery; 2.100% Safe with Upgrade chip to ensure 6-fold protection, eg.Intelligent temperature control--Over heat protection, Over charging protection, Short circuit protection.. ... Without (swollen battery) Damage to laptop, 3. High Performance Electric Core, Real capacity can ensure the long operating time after charging full
- Why choice us： 1.Exporting globally, National certification certificate available, 2.Provide professional installation guide--Professional engineer team, 3.12 Months After-sales service
- Compatible with Macbook pro 15 inch: Macbook pro A1990 battery replacement (Mid 2018 2019). EMC Applicable number: 3215 / 3359 (More detail in the picture), Battery Model: A1953
- Package: 1pcs - Replacement battery for macbook pro a1990, 1pcs - Installation Instructions, Professional necessary installation tools
- Wait a few seconds. If the cursor disappears, the Mac is working normally. Keep going and save your work.
- Close and reopen the app if it stays unresponsive. This is the first step Apple recommends for an app that has stopped responding.
- Force quit the app only if it will not quit normally (see the warning below).
- Restart the Mac if the problem continues.
- Install software updates for macOS and for the app. Apple’s guidance on apps that stop responding also mentions deleting and reinstalling the app as a later option, which can remove data stored inside it, so back up anything important first.
Using Activity Monitor to find the unresponsive app
If you cannot tell which app is stuck, Activity Monitor lists running processes. An unresponsive process is marked (Not Responding) in the process list.
- Open Finder, choose Go > Utilities, then open Activity Monitor. You can also press Command-Space and type Activity Monitor.
- Look in the process list for an entry marked (Not Responding).
- Select that process, then click the Stop button in the toolbar.
- In the dialog, choose Quit first. Quit lets the process exit when it is safe to do so. Choose Force Quit only if Quit does not work.
If the app is a regular app with a window, you can also press Option-Command-Escape to open the Force Quit Applications window and select it there.
Rank #2
- 【4781mAh/54.5Wh High-Capacity Macbook Pro Battery】 A1713 A2171 A1708 macbook pro battery replacement has been rigorously tested for more than 1500 hours, with a capacity of 4781mAh, 11.4V, 54.5Wh, which lasts longer than the original battery and most A1713 batteries on the market, providing reliable power for daily use.
- 【Ensure Compatible Models】Macbook Pro 13 inch battery replacement are compatible with macbook pro series: MacBook Pro 13-inch model A1708 (Late 2016, Mid 2017 year) version MLL42 MLL42LL/A MPXQ2 MPXQ2LL/A MLUQ2 MLUQ2LL/A MPXR2 MPXR2LL/A MPXU2 MPXU2LL/A MPXT2 MPXT2LL/A MacBook Pro13,1 MacBook Pro14,1 ("Ctrl" + "F" to find your models)
- 【High Performance Even in Winter】The A1708 Macbook pro battery is equipped with smart chip for temperature control maintain high performance battery life. The smart chip can keep the macbook constant temperature when daily use prevent overheat.
- 【Safe Charging Your Macbook with A1708 Battery】Designed with high-quality lithium-ion, the modified A1708 battery replacement has overcharge/overcurrent/overheat/short circuit protection, no need to worry about charging overnight, very safe. Very convenient to use, just use a screwdriver to replace and install a new A2159 Macbook pro battery.
- 【What You Get and Service Support】It has multiple safety test certification standards of FCC ROHS and CE. Products include 1 A1708 replacement battery,2 free screwdrivers. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need any help about our product or service.
Quit versus Force Quit
Force Quit stops a process immediately. Apple warns that this can lose data in files that are open in the app and can cause problems for other apps or processes that depend on the one you stopped. Use it as a last step for an app that will not respond to a normal quit, and check first whether the app has unsaved work that could be recovered when you reopen it.
When the cursor alone is not enough
Apple’s sources do not establish a link between the cursor and a particular fault. The symbol alone does not show that the Mac is out of memory, broken, or completely frozen. If the cursor appears often across several apps, or if the Mac stays unresponsive after a restart and software updates, the cause is outside what the cursor can show, and Apple’s support resources or an authorized service provider are the next places to check.
Rank #3
- BEFORE PLACING AN ORDER: Please identify the model and year of your Mac and make sure they are listed on the title. The easiest way is to do that is to go to “About This Mac”, available on the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of your screen.
- PREMIUM QUALITY REPLACEMENT NOTEBOOK BATTERY: Bring your laptop back to life with Ninjabatt's high quality laptop battery - Made of high quality materials, top grade battery cells and packed with safety features.
- COMPATIBLE WITH THE FOLLOWING MODELS: MacBook Pro Retina 13" A1502 | MGX72LL/A | ME864LL/A | ME865LL/A | MGX82LL/A | ME866LL/A | A1493 | ME867LL/A | MGXD2LL/A | 020-8148 | ME864 | ME865 | ME866 | ME867 | 020-8184 | MF840 | MF43 | MF41 | MF40 | MF841 | MF843 | MGX92
- TRUE CHARGING CAPACITY THAT LASTS: Every one of our replacement notebook batteries are tested to meet OEM specifications. Our Li-po battery is rated at 75Wh/11.42V - true charge capacity that won’t let you or your laptop down.
- HIGH QUALITY COMPONENTS & 12-MONTH WARRANTY: Our Laptop batteries are assembled from top quality material and circuit boards to ensure durability and performance, our batteries are equipped with grade A battery cells that provide up to 1000 charging cycles. We’re so confident in the performance of our replacement laptop batteries that we’re including a 12-month warranty with every single purchase.
Sources
- Apple Support, “Pointers in macOS” (wait cursor and its description).
- Apple Support, guidance on apps that stop responding on Mac (closing, reopening, restarting, updating, and reinstalling).
- Apple Support, Activity Monitor and quitting or force quitting processes on Mac.
The sources reviewed do not state how often the cursor appears or how long a typical delay lasts, so this article does not give those figures.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Compatible Mac Models: Fit for MacBook Pro 13-inch Model A1989 EMC 3214 (Mid 2018) & A1989 EMC 3358 (Mid 2019), Model A2251 EMC 3348 (Mid 2020). Model Identifier: MacBookPro15,2 & MacBookPro16,2
- OEM Standards Manufacture: Real capacity 11.41Volts=58.0Wh 5086mAh. Same manufacture standards as the original A1964 battery for MacBook Pro 13" A1989. Provide up to 1000+ recharge cycles, and support fast charging with overcharge and discharge circuit protection
- Replacement Battery Models: Replace for MacBook Pro 13inch A1989/A2251 with touch bar versions replacement battery, battery type A1964. Parts Numbers: MR9Q2LL/A, MR9R2LL/A, MR9T2LL/A, MR9U2LL/A, MR9V2LL/A, MV962LL/A, MV972LL/A, MV982LL/A, MV992LL/A, MV9A2LL/A, MWP42LL/A, MWP52LL/A, MWP62LL/A, MWP72LL/A, MWP82LL/A, etc
- How to Get Correct Battery: First, upside down your Mac to get the exact model name & EMC numbers; Second, find and click on “About This Mac”, and the system model and release year is on the pop window; Third, follow the method 2 and then click on "System Report" the model identifier is on the "Hardward Overview"; Fourth, check the original battery to get the exact battery model number
- Battery Tech Support: 24/7 email technical support, 60 days refund service, 90 days replacement for new service, and maintenance guide. Every battery has passed UL, CE, FCC, and RoHS certification safety, rest for use
“
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
