what does the spinning color wheel mean
when my computer pause the spinning color wheel comes on
iMac 27″, macOS 12.6
The spinning color wheel is simply a process is busy indication.
command-option-escape can give you the choice to force quit selected applications if all else is functioning well.
Applications that are force quit do not save any data that was unsaved, unless temporary files that are hidden do not get erased with the force quit.
Before force quitting, try to see if other open applications may be hindering the operation of the application that is busy. command-tab lets you toggle between any applications you started up. Keep in mind, not all Mac OS applications quit upon the closing of the last open window, and you may have to quit the application from its own menu to ensure it is closed.
In applications-utilities there is a an activity or process viewer that lets you see background applications that are open.
iCloud can cause serious busyness if it is dependent upon to automatically synchronize documents, music, or desktop or download folders to iCloud. Make sure you have a dedicated fiberoptic line if you have a paid iCloud account. Most cable and DSL ISPs only give you 7 mbps or less than 1 Megabyte per second upload. ImageCapture is a much better way to import photos and videos from your iPhone and iPad.
Time Machine backups that get stuck because the backup drive doesn't have more space than the original can also slow you down.
Hard drives that are over 85% full can do so as well.
Anti-virus, and optimization software from Zeobit, MacPaw are both unnecessary and potential causes for slowdown. Don't run MacKeeper, or Advanced Mac Cleaner.
Turn off file sharing unless actively sharing with another computer your data.
If none of these seem to be a problem, please do an Etrecheck run and one of us can help you isolate why you are getting sudden beachballs.
Etrecheck - the handy reporting tool for … - Apple Community