Is your Mac slowing down? Try these tricks to speed it up!

Macs are amazingly beautiful machines, as any user will proudly tell you. Apple’s products in general are especially loved for their super smooth and highly responsive user interface. The user interface that Apple delivers across all its products has made it particularly appealing for users. 

Even as someone who is accustomed to PCs and all their routine troubles, it is very easy to get used to the simplicity and user friendliness of Macs. 

But, as is the case with gadgetry of all shapes and sizes, at some point or the other, they will become slow. Needless to say, with a Mac behaving in this way after a considerable amount of time of having a flawless experience with the device, it is sure to be a nasty surprise to any user. 

The reasons that a Mac can slow down are several. Let’s look at some of them:

1. If you have resource-heavy applications running in the background

Any program or application needs your Mac’s system resources to be able to run. The more applications you have running, the greater will be the drain on the system’s resources. And naturally, as a result, your Mac will slow down. Applications can slow down your Mac even when you are not using them, as they are running in the background. 

2. If you are running low on hard drive space

Your Mac’s operating system requires hard drive space in order to function properly. If your Mac is running out of space, not only will it negatively affect your system’s performance, but it will also cause applications that you are using to lag and crash. This keeps happening because macOS is constantly swapping memory to disk. 

3. If your apps are storing too many log files and excess cache

When you use a browser or any other application, it creates various files which are stored in temporary storage locations. This is known as cache. Cache memory helps in the faster loading of the applications as well as web pages. Apps also create log files which help in troubleshooting. However, cache and log files remain on the Mac even when they are no longer required. 

4. If you are using outdated software

Over time, the performance of your Mac will diminish as newer versions of applications will require the latest version of your operating system to run effectively. So by using outdated software your Mac will tend to lag and become slow. 

Here are some of the things you can do to improve your Mac’s performance: 

1. Run diagnostics

If you are wondering how to test Apple hardware and its performance, it is recommended that you run diagnostics on your Mac. It is a simple process and won’t take too much time. To get to Apple Diagnostics, you will need to restart your Mac and hold down the D key immediately after pressing the power button. Keep the D key pressed until you are presented with the option to select a language. Navigate to the language of your choice by using the arrow keys and once you have got to your chosen language, press the return key. This will start the process, which should take just a few minutes. Once the diagnostics test is complete, you will either receive a “no issues found” message, or a list of issues with your Mac.

2. Close unwanted applications and programs

If you have a lot of applications and programs running together at the same time, your ability to work seamlessly on your Mac will be hindered. It is recommended that you close all unwanted applications and only keep those applications running which you need at that point. You can have a look at what applications are draining your system resources by checking the Activity Monitor on your Mac.

3. Update your software

It is important that you keep your software up to date. This ensures that your Mac runs smoothly, and in turn helps you get the most out of your Mac. Do check regularly for software updates from Apple and install them at your earliest convenience. Each software update is designed to improve a certain specific performance aspect of your Mac, so do make sure to update your Mac regularly. 

4. Clear cache

As mentioned above, cache memory is created when you use a browser or other programs on your Mac. These help to speed up the loading of web pages when you return to them. However, these files remain on your Mac even when they are not needed anymore. Therefore, it is highly advisable that you clear your cache from time to time so that you can free up some valuable disk space. This will help your Mac to run more smoothly.

5. Clear space on your hard drive

Your Mac requires space on your hard drive to be able to run all system applications efficiently. If your storage space is full and you notice a drop in performance, it may be time to remove files and programs which you don’t need. Consider using cloud storage to store your files, or external hard drives. 

These are some of the time-tested methods to keep a Mac running in good condition. By trying out some of the above techniques, you will most likely see a certain degree of improvement in the performance of your Mac. In case none of the above methods work, it is advised that you seek professional help.