Did your Mac become slow right after installing a new macOS version? You’re not imagining it. A Mac running slow after update is very common, and in most cases it’s temporary. After a big update, macOS rebuilds search indexes, re-analyzes your photos and updates apps in the background, which uses a lot of CPU power for a while.
But if your Mac is still slow after a day or two, something else may be wrong. Here are 11 proven ways to speed up your Mac after an update.
Why Is My Mac Slow After an Update?
- Background indexing: Spotlight re-indexes your files and Photos analyzes your library.
- Old apps: Some apps aren’t optimized for the new macOS yet.
- Low storage: Updates use space, and a nearly full disk slows everything down.
- Login items: Too many apps start automatically.
- Visual effects: New design effects can use more graphics power on older Macs.
- Bugs: First releases sometimes have performance bugs that Apple fixes later.
Fix 1: Wait 24–48 Hours (Really)
Keep your Mac plugged in and awake for a few hours, ideally overnight. Background tasks like Spotlight indexing and Photos analysis finish much faster when your Mac isn’t busy. Many “slow Mac” problems disappear on their own after this.
Fix 2: Check Activity Monitor
- Open Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor.
- Click the CPU column to sort by usage.
- Look for processes using a lot of CPU.
Common ones after an update include mds_stores and mdworker (Spotlight indexing) and photoanalysisd (Photos). These are normal and stop on their own. If a third-party app uses high CPU for a long time, quit it or update it.
Activity Monitor cheat sheet
| Process | What it does | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| mds_stores / mdworker | Spotlight indexing | Wait, it finishes on its own |
| photoanalysisd | Photos library analysis | Keep Mac plugged in |
| kernel_task | Protects Mac from overheating | Improve cooling, close heavy apps |
| WindowServer | Draws the screen | Reduce effects, close windows |
| Unknown app | Third-party software | Update or uninstall |
Fix 3: Update All Your Apps
Open the App Store > Updates and install everything. For apps outside the App Store, open each app and check for updates in its menu. Developers often release updates for new macOS versions within weeks.
Fix 4: Install the Latest macOS Bug-Fix Update
Apple usually releases a small update (like x.0.1 or x.1) a few weeks after a big launch. Go to System Settings > General > Software Update and install it. These updates often fix performance problems.
Fix 5: Free Up Storage Space
macOS needs free space for virtual memory and caches. Try to keep at least 15–20% of your disk free.
- Open System Settings > General > Storage.
- Review Recommendations like Store in iCloud and Optimize Storage.
- Delete large files, old downloads and apps you don’t use.
- Empty the Trash.
Fix 6: Remove Login Items and Background Apps
- Go to System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions.
- Remove apps from Open at Login that you don’t need right away.
- Under Allow in the Background, turn off items you don’t recognize or need.
Fewer startup apps means a faster boot and more free memory.
Fix 7: Reduce Visual Effects
On older or base-model Macs, visual effects can use a lot of graphics power.
- Open System Settings > Accessibility > Display.
- Turn on Reduce motion.
- Turn on Reduce transparency.
This also makes the interface easier to read for many people.
Fix 8: Clean Up Browser Tabs and Extensions
Browsers are often the biggest memory users. Close tabs you don’t need, remove unused extensions and update your browser. In Chrome, open Window > Task Manager to see which tabs use the most memory.
Fix 9: Restart in Safe Mode
Safe Mode clears some system caches and only loads essential software.
- Apple silicon: Shut down, hold the power button until you see startup options, select your disk, hold Shift and click Continue in Safe Mode.
- Intel: Restart and hold Shift until the login window appears.
Then restart normally. If your Mac is fast in Safe Mode, a third-party app or login item is causing the slowdown.
Fix 10: Reset SMC and NVRAM (Intel Macs Only)
On Intel Macs, resetting the SMC and NVRAM can fix fan, power and performance problems. Apple silicon Macs don’t need this, because a simple restart does the same job.
Fix 11: Reinstall macOS (Last Resort)
If nothing else helps, reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery. This replaces system files without deleting your personal data. Still, make a Time Machine backup first.
If your Mac shows the spinning wheel all the time, read our guide on how to stop the spinning beach ball issue on Mac. If it won’t start properly, see how to fix a Mac startup problem.
Is It Time to Upgrade Your Mac?
If your Mac has only 8 GB of RAM and you use many apps at once, newer macOS versions may feel slower over time. An Apple silicon Mac with 16 GB of RAM handles modern apps much better. But try the fixes above first, because most slowdowns are caused by software, not hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a Mac slow after an update?
Usually 1–2 days while indexing and photo analysis finish. If it’s still slow after that, follow the fixes above.
Should I downgrade macOS if my Mac is slow?
Downgrading is complicated and requires erasing your Mac. Try updating apps, freeing storage and installing bug-fix updates first.
Does clearing cache speed up a Mac?
Sometimes. Restarting in Safe Mode clears some system caches safely. Avoid deleting system folders manually.
Do Mac cleaner apps help?
They can help find large files, but you can do most of the same things with the built-in Storage settings for free.
Conclusion
A Mac running slow after an update usually just needs time to finish background tasks. If the problem continues, check Activity Monitor, update your apps, free up storage and remove unnecessary login items. These simple steps make most Macs fast again without spending a cent.
