Jan 27 2026
Your Mac feels slow. Apps freeze. The spinning wheel appears more often than you’d like. Does this situation sound familiar to you?
This might mean that your macOS device needs to be optimized.
Here’s the problem:
Not all optimization advice online is safe. Some methods can corrupt system files, delete important data, or leave your Mac worse off than before.
The good news? You can speed up your Mac without risking stability.
This guide shows you how.
Before you optimize your Mac, you should determine what is making the device slow in the first place. This is the first step you can take to fix it without causing new issues.
A safe macOS optimization involves freeing up space from user-generated files and optimizing the settings that stop your device from performing properly. Things like clearing browser cache, removing unused apps, and managing Login Items won’t harm your system. These changes are reversible and don’t touch macOS core functions.
Risky actions, on the other hand, include deleting system files, modifying kernel extensions, or making deep-level changes to the system.
Remember: you shouldn’t delete files from the System folder, use random scripts to clean system caches, or disable essential processes, as this can cause boot failures or data corruption.
Before making any changes, protect your data and confirm what’s actually wrong.
Time Machine is the simplest backup method. Here’s how you do it:
If you don’t have an external drive, keep the most important files transferred to a safe location like iCloud or cloud storage. Just remember: this covers only your crucial data, not the entire system.
If your Mac is slow, one of the reasons for that may be that there are too many apps running in the background. Apps you’re not actively using can still use up your system’s resources.
To check that out, open Activity Monitor (in Applications > Utilities). This tool shows exactly which processes are using your Mac’s resources. Pay attention to these tabs:
●CPU: Sort by % CPU to spot apps that are constantly demanding processing power.
●Memory: This is especially helpful if your Mac stutters or freezes. Look for apps using an unusually large amount of RAM.
●Disk: Consistently high disk activity can make everything feel laggy, especially if your storage is almost full.
●Energy (MacBooks): Apps that drain battery quickly or cause your Mac to heat up can also hurt overall performance.
If the same app always appears near the top of these lists, it’s a strong signal that it’s slowing your system down.
If macOS processes like kernel_task are consistently high, it often indicates heat or overall system stress rather than a specific app issue.
Before optimizing anything, make sure that your device isn’t experiencing slow loading times due to:
These methods improve performance without risking system stability. Follow them for the best results.
Start by emptying the Trash. Right-click the Trash icon in the Dock and select Empty Trash.
Next, remove large files you don’t need. Open Finder, click File > Find, and search for files over 1 GB. Delete old videos, disk images, or downloads you no longer use.
Clear out old iOS backups by going to System Settings > General > Storage > iOS Files. These can take up dozens of gigabytes.
If you’re also working with large website files, WordPress data, or development tools, you may find this guide on optimizing WordPress performance on Mac helpful.
Delete duplicate files manually or use a dedicated tool to find them automatically.
Apps that launch at startup slow down boot times and consume RAM. Open System Settings > General > Login Items and remove apps you don’t need running constantly.
Check background apps by opening Activity Monitor. Look for apps running in the background that you’re not actively using. Quit them by selecting the app and clicking the X button.
Software updates fix bugs and improve performance. Open System Settings > General > Software Update to check for macOS updates.
Update apps through the App Store or by checking each app’s preferences. Outdated apps can cause slowdowns, crashes, or compatibility issues.
In the Safari app, go to Safari > Settings > Privacy, then click Manage Website Data. Remove all data or select specific sites.
In Chrome, click the three dots, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data, and select Cached images and files. Don’t clear cookies unless you’re okay with logging back into sites.
If you’re experiencing an issue with the Chrome browser, you can learn how to fix it using CleanMyMac.
Dragging apps to the Trash removes the main app, but some preference and support files may remain. If the app provides its own uninstaller, it’s best to use that for a cleaner removal.
If an app doesn’t include its own uninstaller, you can use a reputable third-party uninstaller to remove leftover files, but avoid aggressive tools that promise deep “system optimization.”
If basic optimization doesn’t help, these advanced methods can diagnose and fix deeper issues.
Safe Mode loads macOS with minimal extensions and drivers. It helps identify if third-party software is causing problems. To enter the safe mode:
●On Intel Macs: Restart your Mac and immediately hold the Shift key until the login screen appears.
●On Apple silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3): Shut down your Mac, then hold the power button until you see Loading startup options. Select your disk, hold Shift, and click Continue in Safe Mode.
Log in and test performance. If your Mac runs smoothly, a startup item or extension is the issue.
Sometimes user settings or corrupted preferences cause slowdowns. Create a new user account by going to System Settings > Users & Groups and clicking the + button.
Log in to the new account and test performance. If the Mac runs fine, the issue is in your original account’s settings.
macOS handles most maintenance automatically, but you can force it by restarting your Mac. This clears temporary files and frees up RAM.
If apps freeze frequently, quit them using Command + Option + Escape and select the app from the Force Quit window.
Macs aren’t immune to malware. If performance drops suddenly, scan your system.
Use a reputable malware scanner to detect and remove common threats. This step is particularly important if you’ve noticed unusual behavior or unexpected slowdowns.
Temporary files, logs, and unused resources can stash over time and take up storage, though removing them usually helps more with free space than raw performance.
A reliable Mac cleaning tool can safely identify and remove these files without touching critical system components. This is one of the quickest ways to reclaim storage, and in some cases, it can also improve overall responsiveness.
Avoid deleting files from the System or Library folders manually. If you’re not sure what a file does, don’t remove it.
Regular maintenance keeps your Mac running smoothly.
Once a month, empty the Trash, clear browser cache, and check for software updates. Review Login Items and remove apps you no longer use.
Run a quick system scan to catch potential issues early and clear out accumulated junk files.
Restart your Mac at least once a month to clear temporary files and free up RAM.
If you’re constantly running out of space, consider upgrading your storage. External SSDs are affordable and fast.
If your Mac is several years old and struggles with modern apps, it might be time to upgrade hardware or adjust your workflow. Close unused apps, use cloud storage, and avoid running too many programs simultaneously.
Optimizing your Mac doesn’t require risky tricks or complicated processes. Back up your data, identify what’s actually slowing your system, and make targeted changes.
Use Activity Monitor to find resource hogs. Clear cache and remove unused apps. Update macOS and software regularly. Run Safe Mode when troubleshooting.
Most importantly, avoid the temptation to manually delete system files or use random scripts you find online. Safe optimization means using proven methods and reliable tools that know which files are safe to remove.
Your Mac will thank you.
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