Just updated to OS 27 on Mac Air. Sync to iCloud seems sporadic because my calendar events do sync, but the contact changes do not. I have re-synced everything and still not showing changes from Mac to iPhone. I can change a contact in iPhone and it does sync with my iPad, though. Any solutions? Why is Golden Gate not updating contacts?
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 27.0
break7bg wrote:
<Updated Etrecheck Report with Full Disk Access.log>
Several issues from your Etrecheck report:
Antivirus software: Apple, Avira, and Malwarebytes
Red flag here for Avira anti-virus. That should be 100% UNINSTALLED using an uninstaller from the provider. You may have to search for leftover remnants from that software.
Malwarebytes is likely ok but should be uninstalled also to try to provide a clean reference system. It can be reinstalled later. But I suggest NOT using its VPN (or any VPN) and also turning off its automatic background checking.
System Extensions:
AdBlock VPN Tunnel - version 4.0.6 (App Store - installed 2026-08-20)
Application: /Applications/AdBlock.app - version 4.0.6 (App Store - installed 2026-09-06)
Description: AdBlock requires this extension to create a VPN tunnel for ad blocking.
Another VPN, should be completely UNINSTALLED.
Malwarebytes Engine - version 5.27.1 (Malwarebytes Corporation - installed 2026-10-01)
Application: /Applications/Malwarebytes.app - version 5.27.1 (Malwarebytes Corporation - installed 2026-10-01)
Description: The Malwarebytes Engine extension manages your connection to the Malwarebytes VPN service.
The VPN here should also be deactivated. I don't know how it is mechanized so to be safe, completely uninstall Malwarebytes for now, it can be re-installed later, but I suggest without its VPN and without automatic background checking. Malwarebytes even in minimal mode scans every day, you will be quite safe without all that other stuff.
DuckDuckGo VPN Network Extension - version 1.210.0 (Duck Duck Go, Inc. - installed 2026-10-07)
Application: /Applications/DuckDuckGo.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/DuckDuckGo VPN.app - version 1.210.0 (Duck Duck Go, Inc. - installed 2026-10-07)
Description: DuckDuckGo VPN
So now I count at least three VPNs. Even if not active or running, these multiple installations can create conflicts.
All VPNs should be completely uninstalled (unless required and custom configured by an employer or school). These interfere with all kinds of network/internet functions on Macs and lo and behold, you are experiencing iCloud issues with syncing and with FindMyMac.
IMPORTANT: you are experiencing anomalies in your network and connection to the internet ... e.g. Contacts not syncing and other issues (Find My Mac not working). All these VPNs might be falling over one another and certainly interfering with normal Mac network and system operations. Plus that anti-virus on top of it all, I am not surprised you are being blocked somehow in some of your cloud functionalities.
Kernel Extensions:
/Library/Extensions
FileAccessControl.kext - com.avira.kext.FileAccessControl (1.2.5 - SDK 10.9)
Huge problem having anti-virus like this on a Mac. It might be blocking your icloud functions or somehow combining with all those VPNs to interfere.
Other stuff still showing in the Etrecheck report, these things are still present and can impact functionality even when not loaded. All of these items should be 100% completely uninstalled and removed:
User Login Items:
[Not Loaded] CleanMyMac_5_HealthMonitor (MacPaw Way Ltd - installed 2026-09-25)
Modern Login Item
/Applications/CleanMyMac_5.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/CleanMyMac_5_HealthMonitor.app
[Not Loaded] CleanMyMac_5_Menu (MacPaw Way Ltd - installed 2026-09-25)
Modern Login Item
/Applications/CleanMyMac_5.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/CleanMyMac_5_Menu.app
[Not Loaded] DuckDuckGo Personal Information Removal (Duck Duck Go, Inc. - installed 2026-10-07)
Modern Login Item
/Applications/DuckDuckGo.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/DuckDuckGo Personal Information Removal.app
[Not Loaded] DuckDuckGo VPN (Duck Duck Go, Inc. - installed 2026-10-07)
Modern Login Item
/Applications/DuckDuckGo.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/DuckDuckGo VPN.app
CleanMyMac is still active! This can be poison for the macOS. See below:
Plugins:
[Loaded] CleanMyMac_5_AppIntentsExtension - /Applications/CleanMyMac_5.app
[Loaded] Intents - /Applications/WhatsApp.app
Finder sync extensions:
[Not Loaded] CleanMyMac_5_FinderSyncExtension - /Applications/CleanMyMac_5.app
Ancient internet plug ins, probably not the cause but who knows, these are non-functional and should be uninstalled:
Internet Plug-ins:
RL Secure Plug-In Layer: (? - installed 2014-02-21)
OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: 12.3.6 (? - installed 2013-03-19)
Silverlight: 5.1.50428.0 (? - installed 2016-08-03)
Very slow read and write disk speeds for an SSD. Should be 2x as fast as what you are getting. This could be due to interference from the antivirus or real time checking of Malwarebytes or some combination of those questionable extensions, VPNs, etc. I pointed out above, including the pieces that are left over from CleanMyMac.
Write speed: 1865 MB/s
Read speed: 2793 MB/s
The link in my dock to iCloud on safari is just a workaround -- I did't meant to suggest it causes the contacts to sync. But since they already sink with all my apple devices other than my MacBook, I temporarily used the link because it linked to a correct (and syncing) data set on my iCloud account, rather than the Contacts app on my Mac.
I am curious. So far, the Engineers have not responded with anything from last week. But, the Senior Advisor had me stop Clean My Mac from running and had me install Malwarebytes. So, currently Malwarebytes is running and not CMM. What is your recommendation for clean syncing in the future? Should I have ANY other software giving me feedback on my Mac Air M4? I am told that this (Find My Mac) issue is not uncommon. Apparently, there are many users that are having this problem. And, the solution may take several weeks. Once identified, what will be the resolution? Will I need to "wipe" it clean and restore? Or, what?
Thank you for this detailed feedback. I will attempt to rid my Mac Air of these issues(software) that were installed over the years. I will uninstall Duck Duck Go browser, if I can find the proper way to do it. I will, then, return to using my Apple-installed Safari browser and I will get rid of Ad Block Extensions in my Safari. The Avira software has been dragged to the Trash can. I am using Finder...Go...Go to Folder... to check for remaining files of Avira, Duck Duck Go, Malwarebytes, etc. What next?
I much appreciate these steps. I have uninstalled Avira, DuckDuckGo browser, uninstalled the Ad Block extension from Safari, and used Terminal to search for any remaining pieces of Avira. All gone. My next step is to uninstall Clean My Mac, if you believe this is the issue. I have used CMM on both mine and my wife's laptops for ages with no symptoms of anything bad. Mt Mac had been running very smoothly until this incident of not Finding itself. I even log into iCloud to see if my Mac is there. It tells me to turn on Find My Mac on iCloud, too.
Should I uninstall CMM? I know there is an uninstall program that come with CMM. I will use it should you advise. I will reboot after cleaning all of that. Then, try settings, again?
Also, when I downloaded the zip file from Avira, I clicked on the command program and a message popped up tell me that "Apple cannot guarantee that 'Avira.Uninstall.command' is free of malware. is no malware in this." Do I run it anyway?
break7bg wrote:
Also, when I downloaded the zip file from Avira, I clicked on the command program and a message popped up tell me that "Apple cannot guarantee that 'Avira.Uninstall.command' is free of malware. is no malware in this." Do I run it anyway?
Well, that's not ideal, and it speaks to the (low) quality of the Avira products. I guess I would run the uninstaller anyway and accept the risk, which I think is small if you originally obtained the Avira software by going to the Avira web site yourself (versus clicking on some link in an unsolicited email).
Please be patient. I want this solved as much as you do. But, I had other things to focus on this afternoon. I have not gone to the Safe mode, yet. The iCloud still tells me to try to set up Find My Mac. When I do, it still stays OFF. I will get that software you suggested and run it to clean up more. Then, I will empty Trash and reboot in Safe Mode to see what can be done as you suggested.
Late last night, when I was trying to download FindAnyFile, I mistakenly downloaded Avast One security software. I immediately uninstalled it. But, in my latest FindAnyFile run searching for Avast, it found quite a number of Avast files on my system. Obviously, that Uninstaller did not do a complete job. Should I use FindAnyFile to delete them or is there a better way, in your estimation? I have searched for how to rid Avast, and there is a software called, App Cleaner & Installer from Nektony. Do you recommend?
break7bg wrote:
Just erased those old files: Avira, Avast, and CMM using FAF. Rebooted and I can sync my Contacts, now.
Excellent! Sometimes it's a "journey" ... but you persisted. Congratulations! I assume FindMy is also working now as well. Good computing, break7bg.
I have not been able to set Find My Mac ON, yet. But, at least my Contacts are syncing. I am using FAF and it finds a reference to Avira (two small folders) on iCloud. Each time I try to trash, FAF will not allow me to trash. S, I try deleting immediately. They are gone, but when rebooting, they come back. Hmmm...? I have not tried rebooting in Safe Mode, yet. Any other recommendations before trying Safe Mode? I notice the errors for large CPU consumption. How do I address that?
How do I find files in iCloud? I do not see files anywhere. Please advise on that specific instruction. I rebooted in Safe Mode. Find My Mac still is set to OFF. Nothing I try seems to turn it ON. Even while I am in iCloud, the Mac Air M4 2025 cannot be found. The only devices iCloud shows are my iPhone and my iPad.
How do you recommend fixing the high CPU usage? Is there a specific file I can sort out? I have never installed VPNs, yet they have shown on the Etrecheck reports in the past. From the report, it shows the Antivirus programs to be both Apple and Avira (which I believe are the two files from iCloud) What is the Apple Antivirus? Is there a name I can find?
break7bg wrote:
I am using FAF and it finds a reference to Avira (two small folders) on iCloud. Each time I try to trash, FAF will not allow me to trash. S, I try deleting immediately. They are gone, but when rebooting, they come back.
Just where in iCloud does FAF show those pesky Avira files, what is the path or folder where they are, in some iCloud Drive folder perhaps?
FWIW I once had stubborn Documents & Desktop folder remnants in iCloud Drive after I had disabled iCloud Drive "Documents & Desktop" option. Deleting them via the Finder or via Safari from iCloud web immediately re-created them. The fix was to in Finder drag them to the Desktop, and then trash them and empty the trash.
...anyway I'd again recommend the nuclear option to end this saga:
Backup (via Time Machine, Carbon Copy Cloner or Super Duper).
System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings...
Restore only user data files, keep Mac's built-in Firewall OFF (it is only cosmetic eye-candy which might sometimes introduce issues).
Re-install only essential known-good 3rd party apps.
Stay away from 3rd party "cleaners", anti-virus and VPN apps (VPN to work or school is OK if their IT staff so requires).
Matti/Steve, I am swamped with things I need to do for a 3-day men's retreat I am Leading in two weeks. I have eliminated all Avira references on my Mac, except for two folders containing 1 file each that exhibit the Avira name. It may be nothing. And, when I return from the retreat, I will be ready for the final option, I believe. I have never done anything like that before. But, with your guidance, I would feel more confident. My latest Etrecheck Report is here.
break7bg wrote:
<Find My Mac not syncing my Contacts..log>
Matti/Steve, I am swamped with things I need to do for a 3-day men's retreat I am Leading in two weeks. I have eliminated all Avira references on my Mac, except for two folders containing 1 file each that exhibit the Avira name. It may be nothing. And, when I return from the retreat, I will be ready for the final option, I believe. I have never done anything like that before. But, with your guidance, I would feel more confident. My latest Etrecheck Report is here.
I would not undertake any major updates or changes to your computer with an important event looming soon. Your Mac is functioning ok for now. There are other things you can do anyway before doing the major erase/wipe and reinstall. If you are not comfortable doing that big reset yourself (after your meeting has taken place), you can probably have an Apple Authorized Service Provider do it for you for a small fee. Not sure if an Apple Store does that also but they might. You could investigate that option.
I did not see anything odd in your latest Etrecheck except that the disk write/read speeds are still lower than they should be, and I see your Firewall is explicitly blocking CleanMyMac. Which I guess is fine but I am not used to seeing things like that.
I put that in the firewall. Lord knows why. I can easily take that out. Can you give me some insight about how to get the speed back up where it should be? And, can I do anything with those old kext files?
Golden Gate not syncing with iCloud Contacts
