These 11 Small macOS Tweaks Will Change How Fast Your Mac Runs
Just like Windows PCs, Macs can slow down over time. Whether it's app background processes launching when you sign in or a nearly full hard drive, macOS is full of potential culprits. The fixes below address both specific problems and general best practices, and should help your operating system reach peak performance. We'll keep this story updated as Apple announces new features and OS versions.
1. Quit Unused Apps to Free Up Immediate RAM
The macOS dock indicates running apps with a dot below their icons
Unlike Windows, macOS keeps applications running in the background after you close their windows. As a result, they might continue to consume CPU and RAM resources. If your Mac seems slow, start by fully closing any apps you aren't actively using.
Ctrl-click or right-click a running app's icon on the dock to open its menu. Then click Quitto close the application. You need to be diligent about this on Macs with limited memory, like the 8GB MacBook Neo . If an application isn't responding, press Command-Option-Escape to open the Force Quit Applications window, which lets you forcibly close apps.
2. Stop Apps From Stealth-Starting at Boot
Apps often run in the background to install updates and sync data
Applications you install can open when you log in to macOS and run in the background. This can slow down your Mac.
Head to System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions. Remove login items you don't want launching at boot from the Open at Loginsection. Then, scroll through the Background App Activitylist and turn off any offending apps.
Note that some applications run background processes with launch agents and daemons that don't appear in this list. Uninstall apps you don't use to minimize any running background processes.
3. Maintain a 15% Free Storage Buffer on Your Drive
Finder can automatically delete files you send to the trash after 30 days
Apple lists disk space usage as the first thing to check if macOS is running slowly. The company doesn't officially specify how much free disk space a Mac needs, but a common rule of thumb recommends leaving 15% to 20% of the system storage free.
Go to System Settings > General > Storageto get recommendations and see what's taking up space. If you have a lot of files and don't want to upload them to the cloud, you may want to move some to an external SSD .
4. Reduce System Animations
macOS displays some fade-style effects even after you activate the Reduce Motion option
Animations can look slick on macOS, but they also add delays as you navigate the desktop. To minimize animations, turn on the Reduce Motionsetting. Go to System Settings > Accessibility > Motionto find it.
5. Hunt Down Memory Hogs in Activity Monitor
You can perform a web search for any process name you aren't familiar with to learn more
The Activity Monitor lets you identify precisely which processes are using CPU, disk, or memory resources. Check it when your Mac feels slow. You can open Spotlight search with Command-Space, type Activity Monitor, and press Enter to launch this utility.
On the CPU tab, click the % CPU heading to sort processes by usage. You can do the same with the disk and memory tabs. A process may be misbehaving in the background or simply using a large amount of resources for a normal task. You can select a process and click the Stopbutton to end it, but you will lose any unsaved work.
If you're concerned your Mac may have malware, I recommend running a scan with a Mac antivirus app . Apple's macOS includes an XProtect anti-malware system, but extra protection never hurts.
6. Switch Browsers and Strip Heavy Extensions
Apple's Safari browser often feels more efficient than Google Chrome on macOS
While Google Chrome is the fastest web browser in my benchmark testing, Apple's Safari browser often feels smoother on macOS and uses fewer resources. If you normally use Chrome or another browser, try switching to Safari for a day.
You can often speed up your web browser of choice by removing browser extensions. However, a top ad blocker can make the web pages feel more responsive.
7. Maximize Speed With High Power Mode (and Turn Off Low Power Mode)
You won't see a High Power Mode option in System Settings unless your Mac supports it
Modern MacBooks with Apple silicon hardware perform just as well on battery power as they do when connected to a power outlet. Just as you don't have to connect an iPhone to its charger for additional performance, you don't have to plug in your Mac to speed it up.
However, macOS has a High Power Mode setting exclusively for Macs with high-end Pro and Max M-series processors . You can enable it in System Settings > Battery on MacBooks, or in System Settings > Power on desktop Macs if available. Apple says it "allows the fans to run at higher speeds," and this "may allow the system to deliver performance in very intensive workloads." PCMag Managing Editor Tom Brant tested High Power Mode at release but didn't notice a significant performance boost.
Additionally, macOS has a Low Power Mode setting, just like Apple's iOS. If Low Power Mode is active, your Mac will perform more slowly to save battery power. You can turn Low Power Mode off to speed your system back up. Go to System Settings > Batteryto check whether Low Power Mode is on.
8. Tweak Cloud Sync Settings to Prevent Resource Spikes
macOS lets you customize or disable iCloud Drive syncing
By default, macOS automatically syncs your Desktop and Documents folders to iCloud Drive . Frequently saving large files to these locations can take up a lot of resources.
Go to System Settings > Your Name > iCloud > Driveto control this behavior. You can choose other syncing settings for iCloud Drive here, too. For example, you could choose to sync only those files you place into the iCloud Drive folder itself. If you install another cloud storage tool , such as Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive , you can adjust syncing options in those applications' settings.
9. Run Disk Utility First Aid to Repair Hidden System Errors
Apple's Disk Utility automatically repairs problems it finds, but you have to start a scan first
Apple also recommends running Disk Utility if your Mac feels unusually slow. The First Aid feature scans your Mac's storage for errors and repairs any problems it finds.
Open the Disk Utility app by pressing Command-Space, typing Disk Utility, and pressing Enter. Ensure your Mac's system storage volume is selected in the left pane and click the First Aidbutton on the toolbar.
10. Keep macOS Updated for Automatic Performance Boosts
You can click the "i" button to the right of Automatic Updates to control which updates macOS automatically installs
You should keep macOS up to date. New versions of the operating system often include speed improvements. For example, our testing shows macOS Golden Gate has faster file transfers than the previous version. Go to System Settings > General > Software Updateto check for OS updates and install them.
Be sure to update apps, too. Older applications might not perform optimally with newer versions of macOS until they're updated. You can get app updates from the App Store. Apps you downloaded from outside the Store may have their own updaters; you might have to check these manually.
11. Hit the Reset Button: Reinstall macOS to Restore Factory Speed
If your Mac still feels slow after making all of the above changes, you might want to consider reinstalling macOS. However, you will have to completely reconfigure your Mac, including changing settings, transferring files, and installing software.
You can factory reset your Mac with the Erase All Content and Settingsoption in System Settings > General > Transfer or Resetto start fresh. However, for a full macOS reinstall, I recommend doing so from the Recovery environment . Rather than simply erasing your files, this option forces your Mac to download and install the latest version of macOS from Apple. If your current system files are corrupted or damaged in any way, this will fix it.
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