Notes and Music apps crash on Mac mini

Notes and Music crashing on Mac mini M6 (2026) – macOS 27.2

If Notes crashes immediately on launch and Music crashes after about 20 minutes, investigate a shared macOS, account, or background-software issue before assuming hardware failure. Work through these steps in order.

1. Check for macOS updates

Open System Settings > General > Software Update. Install any available update, then restart. Back up first.

Apple: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/108382

2. Test in Safe Mode

Safe Mode helps identify interference from login items, extensions, or third-party utilities.

1. Shut down the Mac. Do Not use Restart
2. Press and hold the power button until startup options appear.
3. Select the startup disk, hold Shift, then choose Continue in Safe Mode.
4. Test Notes and Music.

If they work in Safe Mode, investigate login items and third-party software. If they still crash, a system-wide issue is more likely.

Apple: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/start-up-your-mac-in-safe-mode-mh21245/mac

3. Test a new user account

Go to System Settings > Users & Groups and create a temporary account. Sign into it and test both apps.

• If they work, the cause may be specific to your usual account (preferences, caches, or user data).
• If they still crash, the issue may affect the whole macOS installation.

Apple: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/mac-help/mchl3e281fc9/mac

4. Check Notes and iCloud

If Notes crashes while loading, check whether iCloud synchronization may be involved. Confirm your notes are safely synced or backed up before changing iCloud settings. Do not delete Notes data or disable syncing as an initial test.

Apple: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/icloud/mm8685520792/icloud

Check Notes at: https://www.icloud.com/notes

5. Isolate Music-related causes

While Music is running, open Activity Monitor and watch CPU and Memory use. Temporarily disconnect external audio devices and disable third-party audio plugins or enhancements, if installed. Test with other nonessential apps closed. If Music becomes stable, reintroduce devices and utilities one at a time.

Apple Activity Monitor guide: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/activity-monitor/welcome/mac

6. Follow the good advise from my collage @ den.thed  👍

EtreCheckPro is an excellent tool for identifying these types of software problems. 

7. Run Apple Diagnostics

Shut down, disconnect unnecessary peripherals, then hold the power button until startup options appear. Press Command-D and follow the instructions. Record any reference codes. A clean result does not rule out every hardware fault.

Apple: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/102550

8. If crashes continue

If both apps still fail in Safe Mode and a new account, contact Apple Support and request escalation for macOS investigation.

Provide:

• Mac mini M6 (2026), macOS version and build

• Notes crashes on launch; Music crashes after about 20 minutes

• Safe Mode and new-account test results

• Both .ips crash reports and any Diagnostics codes

Apple Mac Support: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/mac

macOS Recovery/reinstall information: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/mac-help/mchl82829c17/mac

Consider reinstalling macOS only after the tests above and a verified backup.

EtreCheckPro is an excellent tool for identifying these types of software problems.

Download and run the free version of EtreCheckPro, from > https://etrecheck.com/en/index.html

Then post back here with your Report, as per > How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community

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