Does this sound familiar to you? You were sitting in front of your Macbook Pro surfing the Internet or working on a project. All of a sudden, you saw the spinning beach ball.
One second, two seconds…finally you started to cry out: “Why is my Mac laptop so slow?”
I have a 13in Macbook (Mid 2012) bought in 2014. 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5, 4GB 1600 MHz DDR3. Operating system: OS X El Capitan 10.11.2. I've been experiencing slow application launch times, ranging from 15 seconds to launch iWork applications, 20 seconds to launch Chrome and iTunes, and up to 50 seconds to launch Microsoft Office (2013) applications. Your startup disk may be a culprit of your slow Mac woes. As files build up, including cache files, personal files, apps, and games, your Mac has less and less storage space to write to. Instead, it’ll have to use time replacing temporary files with new ones, over and over again. I had no problem with a slow MAC until installing Catalina. I installed Catalina accordance with the full instructions from Apple. All the stuff above is just an excuse / a screen for a diabolical upgrade that has the effect of robbing me of hours and hours of trying to find out how to fix it, and if effect turning my MAC into a PC! Due to increased workload, (for example, when you open multiple heavy applications simultaneously), your RAM tends to get cluttered. Your RAM should have enough space to read and write contents efficiently without any lag. When this memory gets low, your Mac system or apps may become slow or unresponsive. How to fix it: System Monitor.
Though Mac machines are generally considered to be faster than Windows PCs, it’s not uncommon for a Mac to start acting up with symptoms like taking forever to boot, freezing while opening an app, or mouse cursor becoming unresponsive, etc.
You are not alone!
As Apple advocates for more than a decade, we’ve probably encountered more performance issues than you. Fortunately, we were able to fix most of them, and today we still use our old MacBooks from time to time.
Here we are going to share the fixes we’ve discovered along the way, and you are going to learn:
The tips below should also apply to other types of Macs such as iMac, MacBook Air, Mac Pro/Mini, etc. Use the Table of Contents below for better navigation.
Why is My Macbook Pro so Slow?
Whether you own an old 2012 MacBook Pro, or a shiny new 15-inch 2017 MacBook Pro with 512GB flash storage, over time it can run slowly. There could be so many causes, but in general, they all fall into the following four categories.
1. Personal Habits. If you keep your Mac running all the time, let too many apps join the fun on startup, or multitask with loads of heavy applications open — more often than not, your Mac will hang.
2. macOS System. A newer macOS usually performs better than an old one, but no system is perfect. You may experience firmware or permission issues that impede performance as well.
3. Software Issues. Apps, whether pre-installed or third-party ones downloaded elsewhere, can consume lots of system resources when used improperly, which eventually will slow down a Mac.
4. Outdated Hardware. Every piece of hardware has a lifespan; your Macbook is no exception. An outdated hard drive or lack of RAM can be the bottleneck of your machine.
These are just the high-level reasons. Check out this infographic that outlines 26 specific reasons why a Mac might run slowly. You may find what’s hanging up your machine.
Note: If your MacBook Pro is slow only after updating to the latest macOS version (i.e. macOS 10.15 Catalina), the best fix would be restarting your machine several times since the new macOS needs time to re-index or update data saved in the disk drive. For example, Photos can take a while to update the entire picture library; Spotlight re-indexing tends to be time-consuming as well.
Moving on… The Solutions!
Now that I’ve learned the reasons behind a slow mac, what should I do to fix it? We break down the solutions into two categories:
Note though, the solutions we suggest below only work when your Mac can boot up normally. If it cannot, or you hear strange sounds coming from the machine (particularly from the internal Mac hard drive), contact Apple support or schedule an appointment with a Genius Bar in your area.
How to Fix a Slow Macbook Pro: The Manual Methods (4-6 hours)
The methods introduced below are the best manual fixes we have explored. The order is based on a combination of estimated time required and expected effectiveness after implementation. They are, however, by no means the only solutions, and you don’t have to complete all the methods as it’s very unlikely you’ll be able to. Meanwhile, read this checklist on how to speed up Macbook Pro.
Method 1: Manage login items to tune startup times
When to use: your Macbook Pro runs extremely slow on startup.
Why it helps: disabling login items (auto-run applications or services) you rarely use helps your Mac better allocate system resources to load the processes you do use, you’ll reach the login or desktop screen more quickly.
How to do: follow the steps in this YouTube video.
Method 2: Clear off cluttered Desktop items & Dashboard widgets
When to use: your Macbook Pro takes a bit longer to load the first screen after startup.
Why it helps: because macOS treats each desktop item (be it a file, a Dock application, or a Dashboard widget) as a small task, it uses resources to load it when starting up. Reducing the number of such items can make the first screen show up quicker.
How to do:
Method 3: Clean up hard drive to free up more disk space
When to use: your Macbook Pro is running out of space, and it slows down or freezes more frequently.
Cannot be opened unidentified developer mac. Why it helps: macOS utilizes free hard disk space as “virtual memory” in addition to RAM (Random Access Memory). If your MacBook Pro is running out of storage, that means little virtual memory can be used by the system if needed. This may cause your Mac to freeze more frequently — even when you just launch a few apps. In general, having at least 10% of free disk space can often prevent the problem from happening.
How to do: try the tricks below.
Note: if you want to save time, CleanMyMac is a nice tool for this purpose. It automatically detects and cleans extra junks that can take up gigabytes of disk space.
Method 4: Verify and repair disk permissions with Disk Utility
Update: beginning with OS X El Capitan (including macOS Sierra), it’s no longer necessary to verify or repair permissions as Apple has made system file permissions to be automatically protected.
When to use: your Macbook has issues launching some applications, and doing so slows down your Mac.
Why it helps: corrupted or damaged file permissions can cause certain applications to run abnormally or unable to run at all, thus affecting the overall Mac performance. Matt from CNET brought his sluggish Mac back to health using this method. Note: it’s harmless to repair file permissions.
How to do: check out this Apple support article or this YouTube video for a step by step guide.
Method 5: Lighten web browsers to improve Internet surfing
When to use: your web browser (Safari, Chrome, or Firefox, etc.) just seems stubborn to load pages or becomes unresponsive.
Why it helps: web browsers are notorious for dragging down computer performance after extended use. By implementing the things below, you can expect a much smoother net surfing experience.
How to do:
Method 6: Identify and knock out heavy apps/processes with Activity Monitor
When to use: your Macbook starts to run slower after opening several applications, but you have no idea which application is the culprit.
Why it helps: Activity Monitor is a task manager on Mac that shows you both running applications and inactive processes. The list allows you to have a clear understanding of which one is devouring too many system resources (CPU, memory, disk, network, etc). Once you find the culprit, you can also use Activity Monitor to quit or force quit the app/process easily.
How to do: see this video from MacWorld.
Method 7: Reset SMC and NVRAM to fix odd hardware errors
When to use: your Macbook Pro acts oddly (it takes forever to figure out which disk to boot from, it’s slow to shut down, the fan is running non-stop, screenshots are not adjusting correctly, battery indicator lights are behaving incorrectly, etc.), and overall your Mac performs poorly.
Why it helps: NVRAM (or PRAM in older Macs) stores certain settings in a location that macOS can access quickly. SMC has roles in controlling thermal and power management on Mac. Resetting NVRAM and SMC helps resolve the issues mentioned above, and it’s a safe thing to do.
How to do: check out this video for how to properly reset NVRAM and this video for SMC.
Method 8: Update your Macbook Pro to latest macOS version
When to use: your Mac is still running an older macOS version (e.g. High Sierra or Mojave), and you meet the basic requirements of the new upgrade — latest macOS 10.15 Catalina, you need at least 2 GB of RAM and 15 GB of free space on the drive.
Why it helps: a newer macOS version typically runs faster than an older one, though it depends on the model of your Mac machine.
How to do: there are a few things you need to check before getting ready to update your MacBook to macOS Catalina. For example, check whether your model is compatible, whether you have enough storage space, and most importantly backup your data, etc.
Method 9: Disable fancy features in exchange for performance
When to use: best for those who are using an older Mac with limited hardware configuration, and don’t particularly favor fancy interfaces and visual effects.
Why it helps: by disabling or turning off features like Notifications, Transparency, and Animations, Magnification, File Vault, etc., you can boost Mac performance since fewer system resources will be used.
How to do:
Method 10: Upgrade hardware (RAM, SSD) to have a real boost
When to use: you are using an old Macbook Pro, and you’ve tried every method you can to fix your slow Mac but it’s still slow.
Why it helps: adding more memory (RAM) or replacing your HDD (hard disk drive) with a new SSD (solid-state drive) will give your Mac a real boost in performance. The only con is the upgrades can be pricey.
How to do:
Note: whether you choose to upgrade RAM or SSD, you’ll need to open the bottom case of your MacBook, a screwdriver may worth adding to your shopping cart as it will help you remove the screws much faster.
Add extra RAM: depending on your MacBook model, the RAM that best fits may be different. Learn more from our review here. It’s best to also check out this page to see memory specifications for your Macbook Pro model. It comes with an illustrated guide on how to replace the memory. This video from CNET is also worth checking out.
Upgrade to an SSD: If you still want to use your old MacBook Pro for professional work (video/graphic editing, 3D modeling, etc.), the best option is to replace the hard drive with a speedy SSD, see our picks here. Once you purchase your desired SSD, watch this video for how to install it step by step.
How to Fix a Slow Macbook Pro: The Quick Technique (5-10 minutes)
The manual methods can be quite time-consuming to implement and may require you to have a certain level of technical skills. Fortunately, we’ve got two awesome Mac optimization apps that can save you time fixing your slow Mac.
Option 1: Using CleanMyMac X to scan & clean up your MacBook Pro
CleanMyMac X – an app developed by MacPaw and rated as the winner in this Mac cleaner software review. As its name indicates, this app aims to help you clean your Mac and free up more storage space. It does this by locating junks and unnecessary files via analyzing your macOS system: Photos, Mail attachments, large and old files, etc. In addition, you can use the app to batch uninstall unwanted programs, and permanently erase files that are private to you. CleanMyMac is super sleek and intuitive, just hit Scan to get started and then Clean to fix issues.
Option 2: Using MacBooster to improve your Mac’s overall performance
MacBooster – an app developed by the IObit team. This app stands out for its all-in-one concept. It includes a handful of useful utilities that can monitor the overall status of your Mac system. The Virus & Malware Scan module, for example, helps identify possible security threats and removes malware. To get started, simply run a quick System Status scan and it will find and suggest fixes. You can also move on to the Tools sections for further optimization.
Tips to Avoid Mac Running Slow
Any Questions?
Do you find the information and techniques we’ve shared above helpful? Did you manage to tune up your MacBook even a little bit? We’d like to hear from you, contact us and let us know.
Fair disclosure: we are just normal loyal Mac fans like you. We don’t claim ourselves to be Mac experts, nor have we ever worked for Apple. All the information shared here is merely a walk-through of the knowledge and experience we’ve used to resolve our own Macbook Pro performance issues. Due to complexities of the subject matter, your results may vary. Also, some of the recommendations contain third-party affiliate links. If you decide to purchase one of them, we will receive a commission for the sale, part (if not all) of the earnings will be used to maintain this site, for example, paying for the domain and hosting services. Nonetheless, we recommend them because we use the tools with our Mac machines and find them truly great. Make sure you only use what works for your issue, and don’t over-spend on things you don’t need.
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This page was last updated on March 15, 2020.
Enough mountain climbing, it's time for desert heat! Recently, Apple has taken Mac users to the warmer places by killing its series of mountain themes and naming the newest macOS version after Mojave desert.
Apart from the new name and appearance (which, by the way, can be changed), macOS 10.14 is packed with lots of goodies that should give your Mac a performance boost. Dark Mode, Stacks, Continuity Camera – these are only some of the awesome improvements you'll find in macOS Mojave, which is now available as a free update in the Mac App Store.
From preparing your Mac for the update to the moment you can start enjoying the blackness of the Dark Mode, it should take you less than two hours to make the install. But not everything is lightning fast in macOS 10.14. As it often happens with new updates, you may find yourself falling asleep in the attempt to open an app on your Mac.
Online forums and communities are buzzing with discussions, which all reflect upon the same issue – Mojave freezing or running extremely slow. Clearly, the new OS hampering your Mac's performance is simply not fun. But hey, we are all a little slow when it comes to doing something new.
Quick Problem NavigationWhy is Mojave running slow?
Prior to making any conclusions and cursing at Mojave, try to get to the root of the problem. Here's the list of major reasons why an upgrade to macOS Mojave is impossible or leaves you with a slow Mac:
How to find out what is slowing Mojave down?
If your Mac runs slow on Mojave, this guide should help you get things right. Check out the most common problems with macOS 10.14 performance to ensure none of that is affecting your Mac.
Speed up your Mac with Setapp
Get a huge pack of top apps to improve macOS performance. Best utilities in one pack, give it a go!
macOS Mojave won't download
Did you recieve the error messages when trying to download Mojave? It's possible your Mac simply won't download the macOS 10.14 Mojave installer and shows error messages like 'macOS Mojave download has failed' or 'try again later.' Re-downloading Mojave over and over again won't always help and, besides, could be quite irritating.
What could be wrong? Roku mirror app for mac.
My Mac Runs Slow
Mojave won't download for a variety of reasons. It could be that too many people are trying to download it at the same time. Poor internet connectivity is another possible cause. Lastly, the download will fail in case there's not enough storage space on you Mac.
How to fix Mojave download error?
That being said, there are three fixes one of which should apply to your download problem:
macOS Mojave installation failedThe issue: Mac won't finish installingMac Is Running Really Slow
Why does Mojave fail to install? What to do if your Mac freezes during software installation? In this case, you'll most likely see the message like 'Installation of macOS couldn't continue.'
What could be wrong?
The model of your device is incompatible with the macOS Mojave, or there's less than 4 GB of RAM and/or less than 15 GB of free disk space.
How to fix Mojave install stuck
You need to have a supported Mac version. That's the rule number one and if you fail to follow it, you simply won't get to experience Mojave perks. Seems like a no-brainer, but compliance is the first thing you should check.
As a rule of thumb, all the Macs released before 2012 are incompatible with macOS 10.14. These oldies simply don't have the required graphics power and are technically not fit for the newest macOS. So, if your Mac is older than 6 years, sorry – you won't be able to enjoy the darkness of Mojave.
If you're using a supported Mac version, check RAM and available storage:
Apple menu > About This Mac > Overview (for RAM) / Storage (for free disk space).
As necessary, you'll need to buy some extra RAM and / or reclaim more storage – easy to do with CleanMyMac X. On any Mac, there's a whole bunch of outdated cache files, app leftovers and logs, eating up a large amount of disk space.
Ideally, before you upgrade to the new macOS, you should clear up all system junk on your Mac. There are two ways to empty the caches: manually – by deleting file by file, or with just a few clicks – through a cleaning software like CleanMyMac. This app can remove all the junk from every corner of your hard drive. What's more, you can pick specific kinds of material that should be cleared away: mail attachments, photo junk, useless old downloads, etc. The whole process is really a three-click deal.
Why Is My Mac Slow To Open Apps
To delete junk files in seconds use CleanMyMac X:
The issue: Installation stops at 99%
You know what hurts the most? When the installation is almost finished and your Mac, suddenly, gets stuck on the message 'About a minute remaining.'
What could be wrong
Most likely, Mojave won't install on your Mac, because you've been using an older version of OS.
How to complete Mojave installation?
You'll need to update your OS to the newest version available and then switch to Mojave. For instance, if you've been using macOS Sierra 10.12.4, try upgrading to Sierra 10.12.6 before you update your Mac to macOS 10.14.
Mojave is running slow after the updateThe issue: Mojave seems really slow to boot/startup
When things go wrong right from the start, that's frustrating. Slow macOS startup is the common problem for those making acquaintance with macOS 10.14. For sure, if you have to spend over two minutes on booting your Mac, productive work is out of the question. But don't rush into downgrading – one quick-fix solution can give your Mac blazing speed.
What could be wrong
There could be different reasons why your Mac is running slow on startup. If you think you're waiting too long, one of the following could be the issue:
Unless you're a slow life fan, all of these issues with startup speed should be fixed. The good news is, if you know where to look, that's quite easy.
How to speed up Mojave boot timeStep 1. Close auto-run programs
Unnecessary apps running at the background when you try to login or boot the Mac can be root of all problems. Because there are many auto-run programs that launch automatically during startup, your Mac is under pressure here. Not only is it booting your OS, but a range of other programs – most of which you don't need – as well. Obviously, this makes your Mac stop or delay while starting up.
To prevent programs from starting automatically just disable them:
Step 2. Identify and remove hidden launch agents
While closing auto-runs seems easy-peasy, it's a bit more tricky with hidden items. There are some small satellite apps or other software products that will launch each time you're trying to boot the Mac, but won't show themselves. These hidden launch agents may cause your Mac slow down significantly, although everything seems fine on the surface.
With CleanMyMac X, you get rid of hidden junk in a matter of seconds:
Step 3. Free up startup disk space
A full (or almost full) startup disk may be another reason why your Mac isn't running at full speed after the update. For sure, without solving the 'startup disk full' problem, you can't fix slow Mojave. To free up as much disk space as possible, you can either go for a long-term solution – CleanMyMac X is tidying up your disk automatically – or make a range of quick fixes:
Step 4. Get flash-based solid state drive (SSD)
In case you're using an oldie – a device equipped with Fusion drives or HDD – no wonder it's taking forever to startup. To expand storage and add some serious speed, switch to a SSD and see how it gives your Mac better performance and durability.
The issue: The apps are running slow after the update
Your new OS isn't able to run all apps at full speed – that's a pretty common problem.
What could be wrong?
The apps you have in your Mac should also be compatible with Mojave, so that they don't slow down the overall performance. On top of that, power-hungry apps could also cause problems with speed.
Mojave fixes in a single pack
Here's all you need to keep your macOS in a good shape. Grab the best utilities to fix Mojave problems.
How to fix apps freezing and crashingStep 1. Update outdated apps
If you're using Setapp, you don't have to care, because all the updates are made automatically, by default. In other cases, you'll have to ensure third-party apps are compatible with Mojave: Go to the Mac App Store, click on Updates and you'll see all apps that are available for update at the moment. If there are more than one, just click Update All and you won't have to bother anymore.
My Mac Is Open Apps Slow WorkingStep 2. Close power-hungry apps
Power-hungry apps running in the background can be another reason attributed to slow Mac performance. Because too much RAM and CPU is occupied by these apps, there's little left to Mojave. If that's the case, Activity Monitor is your key to solving the problem here.
Here's a quick primer on how to stop resource-hungry apps from slowing down your Mac:
In case you want to close all the apps, you can click Quit or Force Quit. Choose the first option to save changes before closing the apps (could take a while), or shut down all apps through Force Quit if you don't care about the unsaved changes.
The issue: Slow performance is complemented by battery drain
On top of Mojave running slow, users often experience battery drain problems after the update.
What could be wrong?
The new Dynamic Desktop feature, as well as improved display effects, affect Mac's performance.
The 'dark-light-dark-repeat' mode is fun – no question. And while the new macOS 10.14 is packed with lots of useful features, Dynamic Desktop is, probably, the most lightweight yet most exciting of all. In case you didn't know, this is the feature that makes your desktop change from dark to light mode, depending on the time of the day. Sadly, Dynamic Desktop can also be the reason why Mojave runs slow.
Another problem relates to improved display effects like transparency and motion. For sure, Mojave became not only the most solid, but also the most visually-pleasing OS. But that which glitters is not always gold, right? Fancy display effects exhaust your Mac, which, eventually, causes slow performance in Mojave.
How to fix battery drain issues?Step 1. Disable Dynamic Desktop
Below are the simple steps to disable Dynamic Desktop on your Mac:
Step 2. Change display settings
If speed is your priority, you can change display settings in a few steps:
If none of that works and Mojave is still running slow?
Apart from what was mentioned, slow performance can also be caused by malware or hardware problems.
Here are the last-resort measures that could help you solve the problem.
Reset SMC and PRAM
System Management Controller (SMC) and PRAM are two powerful mechanisms, governing a range of functions on your Mac – from battery management to screen resolutions. Basically, anytime when your Mac is behaving strangely, resetting SMC and PRAM could be a good idea.
To reset SMC:
To reset PRAM:
Reinstall Mojave
There's another ridiculously simple solution: reinstall the macOS. There are two ways to give Mojave a fresh start:
Although the latter will fully erase your startup disk and you'll have to reinstall the apps, it's usually much more efficient.
Check if your Mac has adware or malware
In case Mojave won't speed up, the good idea is to scan your Mac for malware. Use the tools like MalwareBytes for Mac or run a one-click scan with Malware Removal available on CleanMyMac X.
As you see, many perks that you gain with Mojave come at the expense of dealing with slow Mac performance issues. The good news is you can solve all of them.
There are many users who, amazed by Dark mode and other Mojave goodies, rushed into the new system unprepared. And it's very likely that most of them have already rolled back to High Sierra. While each OS has its pros and cons, we recommend you fully experience the capabilities of Mojave, which could only be possible if your Mac is ready for the update.
First of all, check device compatibility – not every Mac model is fit for the newest version of macOS. Clean up your hard drive, deleting all old files, app leftovers, and downloads to make enough room for Mojave. Lastly, perform a system backup to ensure no important files will get lost in the shuffle after the update. You can set up the backup process, using Time Machine, or choose a third-party app called Get Backup Pro – an awesome utility with four different backup modules: simple copy, clone, incremental, and versioned.
You know what they say – failing to plan is planning to fail. So before you give up on the new macOS 10.14, ensure your Mac is really in a good shape for the update. After all, poor preparation of your device could be the key reason of slow performance.
Mojave has excellent tools that could skyrocket productivity and organisation for Mac users. Using all the tips above should help you make the most of the new macOS – lightning fast. Setapp has you covered with a range of apps, making your Mac run at full speed after the update – including CleanMyMac X, Get Backup Pro, and Declutter mentioned in this article.
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