Why is my Mac so slow? Usually it comes down to a few things you can check yourself: a nearly full startup disk, apps using too much memory, too many apps opening at login, or out-of-date software. Work through the list below in order. If it stays slow, MMTS offers on-site slow computer repair for Macs and Windows PCs.
Quick summary: Apple's own guidance for a slow Mac points to three common causes: not enough free disk space, an app that needs more memory than is available, and an app that does not suit your Mac. This post turns that into a short, safe-first checklist for Las Vegas homes and small offices, and explains when a visit from a technician is worth it.
Key takeaways
- Check free storage first. It is the cause Apple lists first, and the fix is free.
- Use Activity Monitor to see which apps are using your Mac's memory instead of guessing.
- Trim the apps that open automatically at login, but only remove items you recognize.
- Install Apple's software updates, and back up before you do.
- If a quick check does not help, or you are unsure what is safe to delete, ask for help before removing anything.
What makes a Mac run slowly?
Apple's support page "If your Mac runs slowly" lists a handful of causes you can check: a startup disk without enough free space, an app that needs more memory than your Mac has easily available, and an app that is not compatible with your Mac, for example because it needs a different processor or graphics card.
Those three causes explain a lot of everyday slowness, and none of them needs special tools. The checklist below follows the same idea and adds two more steps that come up often: apps that launch at login and pending software updates.
Is your startup disk almost full?
Start here. Apple lists a startup disk without enough free space as a possible cause of a slow Mac, and you can see your numbers in a minute.
On a Mac running macOS Ventura 13 or later, choose Apple menu > System Settings, click General in the sidebar, then click Storage. You will see how much space each type of file uses. In older versions of macOS, choose Apple menu > About This Mac, then click Storage.
If space is tight, Apple's "Free up storage space on Mac" article suggests several steps:
- Delete files in your Downloads folder that you no longer need.
- Delete or uninstall apps you no longer use.
- Move large media files, such as photo and video libraries, to an external drive.
- Delete music, movies or podcasts you can stream or download again.
- Empty the Trash. A file you move to the Trash does not give back its space until the Trash is emptied.
Take your time with this one. If you are not sure what a file is, leave it alone, especially anything in the System Data category or in system folders. The point is to remove things you know you do not need, not to clear space at any cost.
Which apps are using your Mac's memory?
Apple suggests Activity Monitor for this. Open Activity Monitor (search for it with Spotlight), then click the Memory tab. At the bottom of the window you will see Memory Pressure, Physical Memory (the RAM installed), Memory Used and Swap Used, which is the amount of space on your startup disk that your Mac is using to swap files in and out of memory. The list above them shows the apps and processes that are running.
Sort the list by memory and look at the top few entries. If one app or a browser with many tabs open is holding far more memory than anything else, saving your work and closing it can free memory for the rest. If the same app is always at the top, check its system requirements, as Apple suggests. An app that was made for a different processor or graphics card than yours may run poorly or not at all.
To see which processor your Mac has, choose Apple menu > System Settings, click General, then click About.
Do too many apps open when you log in?
Apps that open at login can use memory and processing time before you have done anything. Apple's guide to login items explains how to see and change them.
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click General in the sidebar.
- Click Login Items & Extensions.
- Look through the list of items that open at login. To stop one, select its name and click the remove (minus) button below the list.
Removing an item from this list stops it from opening automatically. It does not uninstall the app. The same settings screen also lets you turn off apps that are allowed to run in the background, such as ones that check for updates or sync data.
A simple rule: leave anything that looks like a security tool, a backup program or a driver for a device you use, such as a printer or a monitor. Remove things you recognize and do not need open all day.
Is macOS or an app out of date?
To maintain security, stability and compatibility, Apple recommends using the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac. To check, choose Apple menu > System Settings, click General, then click Software Update. Software Update shows what is available for your specific Mac model. If it says no compatible update is currently offered, that means only that. It does not show that your Mac still receives security support.
Apple also says it is a good idea to back up your Mac before installing new software. If you do not have a recent backup, make one first.
Do the same for the apps you use most. A slow browser or a slow design program is sometimes just an older version.
Could it be the hardware?
If the steps above do not help and your Mac feels slow in everything, hardware may play a part. Apple Diagnostics is Apple's built-in test, and Apple describes it as a way to help determine which hardware component might be at fault. Apple's page explains how to start it on both Apple silicon and Intel Macs. Install the latest macOS updates first if you can.
Be careful about what a test result means. Diagnostics can point to a failing part, but it cannot tell you whether a repair or a replacement is worth the cost for your Mac. That depends on the Mac, the part and what you use it for, and it is a reasonable question to put to a technician.
Age alone is not a clear sign either. Apple's pages do not set an age at which a Mac becomes too slow. Check instead what Apple's support information says for your model, and whether the apps you rely on still list your Mac as supported. Software Update on its own is not proof that your Mac is still supported.
When does an in-home visit make sense?
Ask for help if the checklist did not change much, if you are not comfortable deleting files, or if the slowdown came with browser pop-ups or warning screens that you did not expect. Those can point to something different from storage or memory. For a closer look at that question, see Is Your Slow Computer Really Malware? and the virus and malware removal page.
MMTS comes to your home or office. According to the slow computer repair page, the service covers on-site diagnosis and repair for PCs and Macs that have lost their speed, and the technician, Matt Vinciguerra, looks for the cause on the spot. If the fix involves a hardware upgrade, the page says he explains your options and gives you an estimate before any additional work. Please confirm rates directly with MMTS before you book.
The home page says Matt works on Windows and Apple desktops and laptops, including MacBooks, and on all-in-ones, including iMacs. He serves homes and offices across the Valley, including Summerlin, Henderson and Spring Valley. If you run a small office with several machines, see the small business IT support page.
If you would like to compare notes first, 5 Signs Your Computer Needs a Professional Tune-Up covers the warning signs that apply to Macs and PCs alike.
Frequently asked questions
Will deleting files make my Mac faster?
It can, if a nearly full startup disk is the cause. Apple lists a lack of free disk space as one possible reason for a slow Mac. If your disk has plenty of free space, deleting files is unlikely to be the fix, so check memory, login items and updates as well.
Is a 7-year-old Mac too old?
Not automatically. Apple's guidance does not set an age limit. What matters is what Apple's support information says for your model, and whether the apps you use list your Mac as supported. Software Update alone does not show that your Mac still receives security support. If your Mac or essential apps are no longer supported, a technician can help you weigh the options.
What if my Mac is slow in only one app?
Look at that app first. Check its system requirements, see whether an update is available, and watch its memory use in Activity Monitor. Apple notes that an app may need more memory than your Mac has easily available, or may not be compatible with your Mac's processor or graphics card.
Does MMTS work on MacBooks and iMacs?
Yes. The MMTS home page says Matt services Windows and Apple desktops, laptops including MacBooks, and all-in-ones including iMacs. Book online or call (702) 829-6914 to describe your Mac and the problem.
Still slow? Get a hand with it
If your Mac is still slow after these checks, book an appointment or call or text (702) 829-6914. Describe the model, what you have already tried and when the slowness started, so the visit can start from there.
Sources
- Apple Support, If your Mac runs slowly
- Apple Support, Free up storage space on Mac
- Apple Support, View memory usage in Activity Monitor on Mac
- Apple Support, Open items automatically when you log in on Mac
- Apple Support, Update macOS on Mac
- Apple Support, Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac
