If your Mac has started running slowly, the cause may be low storage, too many apps running at once, excessive background activity, an outdated version of macOS, or aging hardware. A Mac can also slow down temporarily while performing demanding tasks such as syncing photos, indexing files, or installing updates.
The best way to speed up a slow Mac is to identify what is causing the slowdown before changing system settings or deleting files. The steps below cover storage, memory, startup apps, software, overheating, and hardware-related performance problems.
Check Activity Monitor First
Activity Monitor can help identify whether an app or process is consuming unusually high amounts of CPU, memory, or disk resources.
- Open Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor.
- Check the CPU tab for processes using unusually high CPU resources.
- Select the Memory tab and check the memory pressure graph.
- Select the Disk tab if file operations appear unusually slow.
- Close an app normally if you no longer need it.
Do not force quit system processes simply because they use resources. If one third-party app repeatedly causes high usage, check for an update or consider removing it.
Free Up Mac Storage
A nearly full startup disk can leave macOS with less room for temporary files and other system operations.
- Open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage.
- Review the categories using the most space.
- Remove large files, old downloads, unused apps, and other content you no longer need.
- Empty the Trash after deleting large amounts of data.
Focus on the largest storage categories rather than deleting small files individually. Keep important files backed up before removing them.
Remove Unused Apps and Files
Unused applications can consume storage, while some can also run background processes.
Open Finder > Applications and remove apps you no longer use. Some applications include their own uninstallers, which should be used when available.
Also check your Downloads folder and other locations for large files you no longer need.
Reduce Apps That Open at Startup
Too many apps launching when you sign in can slow startup and leave unnecessary processes running.
- Open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions.
- Review the apps listed under Open at Login.
- Remove apps that do not need to launch automatically.
- Review background activity permissions and disable unnecessary items.
Do not remove items if you are unsure what they do. Some background processes belong to software you rely on.
Close Apps and Browser Tabs You Are Not Using
Running many applications and browser tabs can increase memory usage, particularly on Macs with less available RAM.
Close apps you are finished with and reduce the number of browser tabs you keep open. If a particular website or browser tab consistently causes high CPU or memory usage, close it and check the browser’s own task manager if available.
Restart Your Mac
A restart can clear temporary processes and release system resources that have accumulated during extended use.
Choose Apple menu > Restart and allow macOS to start normally.
If the slowdown only appears occasionally and disappears after restarting, a background process or temporary software issue may be responsible.
Update macOS and Your Apps
Performance problems can sometimes be caused by software bugs that have already been fixed in newer versions.
- Open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Install any available macOS updates.
- Update your regularly used apps through their respective update systems.
The latest macOS version is not available for every Mac. Compatibility depends on the model and year, so an older Mac may need to remain on an earlier supported version.
Check Memory Pressure and Background Activity
If your Mac slows down when several apps are open, memory pressure can help explain why.
Activity Monitor’s Memory tab shows whether macOS is under sustained memory pressure. If it remains high during your normal workload, close memory-heavy apps and browser tabs.
Also look for cloud-syncing, photo processing, backups, indexing, or other background tasks that may temporarily consume CPU or disk resources. If performance returns to normal after the task finishes, additional troubleshooting may not be necessary.
Check for Overheating
A Mac can reduce performance when it becomes too hot.
Make sure ventilation areas are not blocked and avoid using a MacBook on soft surfaces that restrict airflow. If the fans are constantly running, check Activity Monitor for the process creating the workload.
Persistent overheating, especially when the Mac is performing only light tasks, may indicate a hardware or software problem.
Check Your MacBook Battery Health
An aging battery does not automatically mean your Mac is slow, but battery condition and power behavior can affect performance in some situations.
On a MacBook, open Apple menu > System Settings > Battery and review the available battery health information.
If macOS recommends servicing the battery or you notice other battery problems, consider having it inspected.
Reduce Visual Effects
Animations and transparency effects can add some graphics workload, particularly on older Macs.
Open Apple menu > System Settings > Accessibility > Display and enable Reduce motion or Reduce transparency where available.
These settings will not fix storage, memory, or hardware problems, but reducing visual effects may make the interface feel more responsive on some Macs.
Check External Drives and Accessories
A slow or failing external drive can make file operations appear slow when you are working with files stored on it.
Disconnect unnecessary external drives, hubs, and accessories and test the Mac again. If performance improves, reconnect devices individually to identify the source.
Check for Unwanted Software
Unexpected pop-ups, browser changes, unfamiliar applications, or persistent background activity can indicate unwanted software.
Review installed applications and remove software you do not recognize. Keep macOS and your security software updated.
Avoid installing multiple Mac cleaning or optimization utilities simply because they promise to make your Mac faster. They can add background processes without addressing the underlying problem.
Consider Your Mac Model and macOS Version
Performance depends heavily on the Mac model, processor, memory, storage, and version of macOS you are using.
A newer version of macOS may require more resources than an older release, while newer applications may also perform differently on older Intel-based Macs compared with Apple silicon models.
Before assuming your Mac has a problem, check its specifications under Apple menu > About This Mac. If the Mac is several years old and struggles mainly with newer applications, the limitation may be its hardware rather than a setting that can be changed.
When Your Mac Is Still Slow
If your Mac remains slow after freeing storage, reducing background activity, updating software, and checking Activity Monitor, the cause may be related to hardware or the age of the Mac.
Persistent freezes, unexpected shutdowns, drive errors, or severe performance problems can justify running Apple Diagnostics or having the Mac inspected.
Before performing major troubleshooting, make sure you have a current backup.
Quick Ways to Speed Up a Slow Mac
- Check Activity Monitor for unusually high CPU, memory, or disk usage.
- Free up space in System Settings > General > Storage.
- Remove unused apps and large files.
- Reduce unnecessary Login Items & Extensions.
- Close unused apps and browser tabs.
- Restart your Mac.
- Install available macOS and app updates.
- Check for overheating and heavy background activity.
- Disconnect external accessories to test for performance problems.
- Check your Mac model and macOS compatibility.
- Run Apple Diagnostics or seek service if serious problems continue.
