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Start by matching the slowdown to a likely cause: limited startup-disk space, an app using too much CPU or memory, an incompatible app, or a disk problem. Apple notes that a slow Mac can have several possible causes, so no single cleanup step is a guaranteed speed fix. These checks use built-in macOS tools; exact menu labels vary by macOS version.

Check available startup-disk space

A crowded startup disk is one possible cause of slow performance. Review storage before deleting anything so you can see what is using space and decide what can safely be removed.

  1. Open Storage. In macOS Ventura 13 or later, choose Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage. In earlier macOS versions, choose Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage. Apple documents these routes in its storage guide.

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  2. Review the categories and recommendations. Check large media files, Downloads, apps you no longer use, and old device backups. Delete only files you have reviewed and no longer need.

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  3. Empty Trash if you have deleted files. Items remain on the startup disk while they are in Trash, so deleting them does not free the space until you empty it.

  4. Consider moving files you want to keep. Apple says files can be moved to another disk or an external storage device. This makes room on the startup disk; an external drive by itself is not a performance upgrade.

macOS can also use iCloud to make storage space available when needed. This depends on the iCloud storage available under your plan, so it is not unlimited free capacity. Apple describes these options in its guide to freeing up storage space.

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Find apps using CPU or memory

If the Mac slows down while a particular app is open, check whether that app or another process is consuming substantial resources before assuming the computer needs replacing.

  1. Open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities, or find it with Spotlight.

  2. Select the CPU tab to review processor activity. Activity Monitor includes current and recent CPU views; Apple explains how to view them in its CPU activity guide.

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  3. Select the Memory tab to inspect memory use and the memory-pressure graph. Look for an app that is unusually demanding at the time you notice the slowdown, rather than treating one process name as proof of a problem.

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  4. If an app is unresponsive or clearly causing trouble, select it in Activity Monitor and use the stop control to quit it. Force quit only the app you have identified; do not routinely stop unfamiliar system processes. Apple’s Activity Monitor guide explains how to locate and quit a process.

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Quit unused or incompatible apps

Quit apps you are not using, especially if Activity Monitor shows that they are adding substantial CPU or memory load. If one app consistently performs poorly, check its system requirements and whether it supports your Mac and macOS version. Apple includes app compatibility among the possible causes in its slow-Mac troubleshooting guide.

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To check the Mac’s processor, open Apple menu > About This Mac. System Report, available from that window, includes graphics hardware details. Compare those details and your macOS version with the app developer’s stated requirements before deciding that the Mac itself is the bottleneck.

Use Disk Utility when symptoms point to a disk issue

If you suspect a disk problem, Disk Utility can verify a disk and try to repair problems it finds. Apple lists this as a troubleshooting step for a slow Mac, not as routine maintenance every owner needs to run. Follow Apple’s slow-Mac guidance and use Disk Utility when disk symptoms or other checks make it relevant.

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Know when to get further help

If the relevant checks do not resolve the slowdown, gather useful details before contacting Apple or a qualified service provider. Note your Mac model, macOS version, the app involved (if any), when the slowdown occurs, and what you observed in Storage or Activity Monitor. That information can help support narrow down the issue; it does not guarantee a particular repair.

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