So your Mac feels slower after a recent macOS update? Yeah, you’re not imagining things. It can be pretty frustrating, especially when you were expecting things to run faster, not slower.
You probably thought the update would make your Mac better, right? But now, it’s lagging, apps are freezing, and everything feels like it’s moving in slow motion.
Don’t worry. You’re not the only one dealing with this. A lot of people experience the same thing after installing a new update. Sometimes, it’s because the update brings in some bugs that mess with performance.
Other times, your apps aren’t ready for the new system yet. And then there are those background processes that quietly eat up memory and CPU without you even noticing.
If you’re using an older Mac, the new system might just be a bit too much for it. Also, updates can take up a lot of space, leaving your Mac gasping for room to breathe.
But here’s the good news—you don’t have to live with a slow Mac. There are simple things you can do right now to speed it up again.
Let’s go over some of the most common reasons your Mac is slow after an update and what you can do to fix each one. Ready? Let’s get into it.
What’s Causing the Slowdown After the Update?
1. Your Mac Might Have Caught Some Bugs
Sometimes, updates bring along small bugs that affect performance. They’re not always serious, but they can slow things down. The good thing is Apple usually fixes these bugs in the next few updates. But while you wait, restarting your Mac can help clear them out.
2. Old Apps Aren’t Playing Nice
Your apps may not be updated to work with the new macOS version. When that happens, they can slow everything down. Make sure you update your apps through the App Store or check the app developer’s website for a newer version.
3. Background Tasks Are Hogging Resources
After an update, your Mac might start running more background tasks. These can eat up your CPU and memory. You can check what’s going on by opening Activity Monitor and looking for anything that’s taking up too much power.
4. An Older Mac Might Be Struggling
If your Mac is a few years old, the new update might be too demanding. Some features are designed for newer hardware. In this case, you might need to close more apps while working or avoid multitasking too much.
5. Your Storage Is Almost Full
macOS updates can take up a lot of space. If your hard drive was already close to full, the update might have pushed it over. A full drive can slow your Mac to a crawl. Try deleting files you don’t need or moving them to an external drive or cloud storage.
Alright, now that you know what might be slowing your Mac down, let’s fix it.
How to Speed Up Your Mac Post-Update
Let’s bring your Mac back to life. These are simple but effective fixes. Start with the easy ones and work your way down.
#1. Restart Your Mac
This might sound too basic, but trust me—it works more often than you think. A restart clears out temporary memory and gives your system a fresh start.
If your Mac feels sluggish after the update, go ahead and restart it.
Here’s how:
- Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
- Select Restart.
- Let it reboot and see if things feel faster.
#2. Update Your Apps
Outdated apps might not work well with the new macOS. That can slow everything down. You should update them to make sure they’re compatible.
To update your apps:
- Open the App Store.
- Click on the Updates tab on the left.
- If you see any apps listed, click Update All.
If you downloaded apps outside the App Store, visit the developer’s website and get the latest version.
#3. Clean Up Your Mac
Clutter slows things down. If your storage is full, your Mac won’t run smoothly. Let’s tidy things up a bit.
To check your storage:
- Click the Apple menu and open System Settings.
- Go to General > Storage.
If you’re running low on space:
- Move large files to an external drive or cloud storage.
- Delete old downloads or unused apps.
- Empty your Trash.
#4. Reset SMC and PRAM
This one’s a bit advanced, but it helps when performance issues won’t go away. Resetting the SMC and PRAM can fix power, fan, and screen problems.
To reset SMC on MacBooks (non-M1):
- Shut down your Mac.
- Hold Shift + Control + Option (left side) and the power button for 10 seconds.
- Release all keys and press the power button again to turn it on.
To reset PRAM:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Turn it on and immediately press Option + Command + P + R.
- Hold for about 20 seconds, then release.
Your Mac will restart, and hopefully, performance will improve.
#5. Check Activity Monitor
Let’s see what’s using up your Mac’s brainpower. Activity Monitor shows you what’s running in the background.
To open Activity Monitor:
- Go to Activity Monitor.
- Click the CPU tab.
- Look for processes using a high percentage of CPU.
- Select them and click the X button to quit.
Only close things you recognize. If you’re not sure what something is, better to leave it alone.
#6. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs
Some apps start running the moment you log in. They can slow down your Mac right from the start. Let’s turn off the ones you don’t need.
To do that:
- Open System Settings.
- Go to General > Login Items & Extensions.
- Select any unnecessary app and click the minus (-) button.
Your Mac will start faster without them.
#7. Tone Down the Visuals
macOS has some nice animations, but they can slow down performance, especially on older Macs. You can reduce these effects.
Here’s how:
- Open System Settings.
- Click Accessibility.
- Go to Display.
- Turn on Reduce motion.
This will make your Mac feel snappier.
#8. Use a Cleaning Tool
There are apps that help clean up your Mac automatically. They find junk files, old logs, and other stuff that’s just taking up space.
If you don’t want to dig through folders yourself, get a trusted Mac cleaning tool. Just make sure it’s from a reliable developer.
#9. Consider a Hardware Upgrade
If your Mac is older, it might just need a little more power. Adding more RAM or upgrading to an SSD can make a huge difference. Not all Macs can be upgraded, so check your model first.
#10. Try Reinstalling macOS
Still not happy with the speed? Reinstalling macOS can clear out any leftover bugs or issues from the update. Just make sure to back up your data first.
To reinstall macOS:
- Restart your Mac and hold Command + R while it boots.
- Select Reinstall macOS from the menu.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
This gives your Mac a clean slate.
The Takeaway
So, your Mac slowed down after an update. Annoying? Yeah. But not the end of the world. Most of the time, it’s just a few bugs, old apps, or storage issues. And the good news? You can fix most of these yourself.
Start with the basics—restart your Mac, update your apps, and clean up your storage. Then, dig a little deeper with Activity Monitor or reset the SMC and PRAM if needed.
If you’re still stuck, consider a hardware upgrade or reinstall macOS.
You don’t need to be a tech expert to do this. Just take it one step at a time. Your Mac doesn’t have to stay slow. You’ve got this.
Tried any of these fixes? Comment below and let us know what worked for you!
