Q6: Is the Diagnostic Console supported on mobile devices?
Yes, on iPad devices running iOS 6.1.3 or later.
Q7: Where can I view diagnostic result history?
The Diagnostic Console displays results for diagnostics that have been run in the last 30 days.
Q8: Can AST 2 be used over Wi-Fi? Ethernet?
Both the Diagnostic Console and the customer’s devices can be run in a Wi-Fi environment or over an Ethernet cable.
Q9: Does AST 2 replace Apple Service Diagnostic (ASD)?
AST 2 replaces ASD for supported products.
Q10: Do I still need the AST server?
Yes, AST will still be used to triage legacy products released prior to AST 2 and to provide the NetBoot images for AST 2 OS-based diagnostics.
Q11: What languages are supported in AST 2?
The Diagnostic Console can be used in all service languages and technicians may choose a preferred language.
Q12: Why am I unable to see all the languages on the customer’s device when I start Apple Diagnostics?
Some languages require fonts within a working recovery partition. If the required font is unavailable, the language is not displayed.
Q13: How do I differentiate between Apple Diagnostics and AST 2?
With Apple Diagnostics, the customer’s device will display the test results.
With AST 2, the Diagnostic Console displays all test results with rich graphics that technicians share with the customer.
While running diagnostics, the customer’s device will display a gray screen with a progress indicator (a moving bar) indicating the estimated time remaining.
Q14: Does Apple Diagnostics have to be run before AST 2 diagnostics?
No, Apple Diagnostics does not have to be run first. Apple Diagnostics runs on the device under test only if the customer’s device has not been entered into the Diagnostic Console.
Q15: What do we do if the AST 2 server is down?
No need to worry. If one server is down, another will take over to avoid downtime.
Q16: How much bandwidth is required for AST 2?
To upload data from each device under test executing AST 2 diagnostics to Apple's servers, the Internet connection requires 13 kilobits per second of available bandwidth.
To download data to each device under test executing AST 2 diagnostics from Apple's servers, the Internet connection requires 22 kilobits per second of available bandwidth.
Q17: Are individual accounts needed to access AST 2?
Technicians will use their Apple ID to log in to GSX to access AST 2.
Q18: What is the cycle time for the AST 2 diagnostic?
AST 2 test times will vary based on the test suites chosen. The estimated times are listed next to the diagnostic suites on the Diagnostic Console.
Q19: Will AST 2 apply to both desktops and portables?
Yes, AST 2 will support all desktop and portable products released after the launch of AST 2.
Q20: How do I connect the device to AST 2?
Turn on the device while holding down Option-D. If connected to Ethernet, the device will automatically begin downloading the EFI diagnostic image.
To test over Wi-Fi, the technician will be prompted on the device to connect to Wi-Fi.
Q21: How do I know the device is connected to AST 2?
When the device connects to AST 2, a green bar appears in the sidebar next to the device under test. If the device is offline, a gray bar appears in the sidebar next to the device.
Q22: Does AST 2 replace the original Apple Service Toolkit?
AST 2 does not replace the original AST. Please continue to use the original AST for the products it supports.