Troubleshoot: Get a sysdiagnose log file for Apple Support

Use the steps in this article to gather the sysdiagnose file for macOS or iOS. This file may be required when there are issues at the OS level that need to be investigated. It can also be helpful to supply when opening a ticket with Apple Support.

Generate sysdiagnose file on macOS

Perform these steps on the device that requires troubleshooting. Minimize or close applications to ensure that only relevant data is captured.

1. Press and hold Shift + Control + Option + Command + Period simultaneously.
2. Continue holding these keys until the screen flickers or a notification sounds. This may take a few seconds.
3. The sysdiagnose process takes a few minutes to complete, depending on the performance of your Mac and the device's state.
4. When the process is complete, the sysdiagnose file is saved to the /private/var/tmp/ directory with a name like sysdiagnose_TIMESTAMP.tar.gz, where TIMESTAMP represents the time the file was generated.
5. Using Finder or Terminal, navigate to the /private/var/tmp/ directory and copy or move the sysdiagnose file to a more accessible location like your Desktop.

Alternately, you can use Terminal to generate the sysdiagnose file to the Desktop.

1. From Terminal, run the modified sysdiagnose command:

2. If prompted, enter your administrator password.
3. The sysdiagnose process begins, and it may take a few minutes to complete. The Terminal might seem inactive, but it’s working in the background.
4. When the process is complete, the sysdiagnose file is saved to the Desktop with a name like sysdiagnose_TIMESTAMP.tar.gz, where TIMESTAMP represents the time the file was generated.

Generate sysdiagnose file on iOS or iPadOS

1. Press and hold Volume Up + Volume Down + Side Button (or Top Button for devices without a Side Button) simultaneously until you feel a haptic vibration.
2. The sysdiagnose process will run in the background. Depending on the state of your device, this may take a few minutes. You may see a message stating ”Diagnostics are in flight, Perform the following” with Send Feedback and Ignore options.
3. Transfer the sysdiagnose file to a Mac:
   • Connect your iOS device to a macOS device via USB.
   • Open Finder on the macOS device.
   • In the sidebar under Locations, click the iOS device and then Sync.
   • Press and hold Option key as you click Go in the menu bar with Finder open.
   • Click Library.
   • Go to Logs > CrashReporter > MobileDevice > [device name] > DiagnosticLogs > sysdiagnose to locate the sysdiagnose file.

Alternately, you can access the file on your iOS device and then AirDrop the file from the iOS device to your Mac.

1. On the iOS device, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements > Analytics Data.
2. Scroll down the list of analytics files until you see sysdiagnose file.
   • If there is more than one sysdiagnose file, use the date and time in the filename to identify the correct file.
3. Tap on the sysdiagnose file you want to attach or save.
4. Tap the share icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
5. Select Save to Files.
6. Pick the Files location where you want to save the sysdiagnose file, then tap Save, or send it to another file via AirDrop.