MacOS Catalina 'Verifying Files'

I had this problem with a late 2012 Mac Mini. Currently having conversations with Apple support level 2 on this problem. Will update if I get any further info.

Morey

I'm aware of this, but it's the difference between being able to work on the laptop or not being able to, since Apple has yet to even acknowledge the issue, let alone issue a fix for it.

Well the problem isn’t limited to Microsoft apps... but no harm in Microsoft trying to improve performance anyway.

So Catalina doesn’t take 45 minutes verifying your VM? :)

I use Parallels. However, I have a “loaded” Mac mini with 16 gigs of memory and a 500 gig SSD. Parallels uses every bit of it but response time is acceptable.

I still get occasional verifications on boot up that seem random with the update...can’t say I agree that updates have always required all applications to verify.

I have a late 2012 iMac. The update was like getting crutches and a knee brace. Movement occurs, but it is slower and more halting than before Catalina.

Same issue with all Adobe apps.

They verify usually over 15 mins then don't open.

I take that back - I'm still seeing "verifying" dialogs popup at odd times - just opened safari and got one for Xcode

No, I had the problem on my Mid-2015 MacBook Pro, which is an SSD.

Hi, since downloading Catalina on my MacBook Air (2013 model). I have had issues. Apps are very slow to load, and the fan seems to run often. Also a high percentage of my memory is continually being used even though I am only using Safari, Word and Powerpoint. When i boot up it takes forever and has to verify apps such as iPhoto etc.

This is very frustrating. Can anyone offer any advice please?

R Dunmow,

Thank you for trying out safe mode and reporting back with this update.

It will be great to have you test out a new user as well. If the issue continues, however, I would like to get you in touch with our technical support team for continued troubleshooting. Please reach out using this link: Contact - Official Apple Support.

Thank you for your time.

Take care.

I have exactly the same issue and when I go to security preferences and click allow to open anyway on apps that are blocked, nothing happens. I can't run some of the design apps I use for work now even though they are compatible. Catalina has made my machine no longer a pro device

R Dunmow,

I appreciate the follow up.

I would also recommend checking out how you have your security preferences set up, as Gatekeeper is designed to ensure only trusted software runs on your Mac: Safely open apps on your Mac - Apple Support.

If the behavior remains, I'll need you to get in touch with our technical support team next. Being that you mentioned you ran into difficulties using the link previously shared, Contact - Official Apple Support, I would suggest trying this link using a different web browser. If that still does not work for you, you can call in to our technical support directly, using your local support number found here: Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support.

Thank you for using the Apple Support Communities!

Take care.

Numonex:

I have been doing a lot of research. You can evidently downgrade. It requires making a complete backup, erasing the mac, then restoring the computer to its status right before Catalina was installed. Deciding between that and throwing the iMac off the balcony was tough, but I found what might work for me on an interim basis: I have the iMac AND a MS Surface laptop, on which the MS Office apps are still lightning fast. I set up file sharing on the iMac just now and am going to wait and see if Apple fixes the problems they've created. The main things I lost or could not use with Catalina were Adobe Acrobat Pro X (DOA after Catalina) and MS Office (sometimes working, sometimes not, always at a snail's pace). With file sharing, I can access documents on the iMac, use and create pdf files, use the Office suite and move back and forth a lot more efficiently than waiting for "verifying files" to happen. If Apple and MS get together on this, the Office problem might get solved with an Apple patch. As for Acrobat Pro, Adobe was updating Acrobat for all prior MacOs changes, and the program seemed to work well. However, Adobe may have decided simply to ignore trying to update/upgrade for Catalina. Instead, you can only use Acrobat on the new OS if you buy Adobe's new version for $500, or subscribe to Adobe. However, Adobe has spawned a lot of competitors with cheaper alternatives to Acrobat that work on Catalina, such as PDF Studio Pro, a program I was already happy with before Office quit working right.

Sorry to be so wordy, but I've spent three days arriving at my own "wait and see." Without the MS laptop I might have opted for the balcony option. Meantime, let's see what Apple does...

Mike