How to Speed Up MacBook After macOS Sonoma Update

Experiencing a sluggish Mac after the Sonoma OS update is a common issue. This guide provides a set of effective strategies to enhance your Mac’s performance on the Sonoma OS.

Strategy 1: Keep Applications Updated

Compatibility issues and performance glitches can occur with outdated applications, especially after a system upgrade. To ensure your applications are optimized for macOS Sonoma, follow these steps:

1. Launch the App Store on your Mac.
2. Navigate to the “Updates” tab to check for available updates.
3. Choose “Update All” to install all pending updates, or select specific apps and click “Update”.

Strategy 2: Regularly Empty the Trash Bin

Files accumulated in the Trash can occupy valuable disk space, which is essential for macOS Sonoma’s efficient operation. To free up space and maintain optimal system performance:

1. Click on the Trash icon in your Dock.
2. Right-click on the Trash icon and select “Empty Trash”.
3. Confirm the action in the dialogue box that appears.

Strategy 3: Close Resource-Intensive Applications

Certain applications consume more system resources, which can slow down your Mac, particularly after a system update. To free up memory and CPU capacity:

1. Open the Activity Monitor from the Utilities folder in your Applications folder or use Spotlight to search for it.
2. Click on the “Memory” tab to sort applications by memory usage.
3. Select any application that is using a significant amount of memory and click the “X” button in the upper left corner of the window to quit the process.

Strategy 4: Reindex Spotlight

Spotlight indexing can cause your Mac to slow down, especially after an update, as it may need to reindex the system files and content. To ensure efficient search performance:

1. Open System Preferences > Spotlight.
2. Click the “Privacy” tab.
3. Drag your hard drive from Finder into the list, or click the “+” button and add your hard drive to the list. This will stop Spotlight from indexing.
4. Remove your hard drive from the list by selecting it and clicking the “–” button. Spotlight will start reindexing your drive.

Strategy 5: Manage Startup Items

Applications set to open automatically upon login can slow down the startup process. To help your Mac boot faster:

1. Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups.
2. Select your user account and click on the “Login Items” tab.
3. Highlight the applications you do not wish to start automatically and click the “–” button below the list to remove them.

Strategy 6: Free Up Disk Space

macOS Sonoma requires ample free disk space for smooth operation. Insufficient storage can lead to system slowdowns. To optimize storage:

1. Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen, select “About This Mac,” and then click on the “Storage” tab to review your storage usage.
2. Click “Manage” and follow the recommendations provided, such as storing files in iCloud, optimizing storage, emptying Trash automatically, or reducing clutter.

Strategy 7: Reset System Management Controller (SMC)

The SMC controls low-level functions on Intel-based Macs. Resetting the SMC can resolve hardware-related issues that may slow down your Mac after an update. The reset process varies depending on your Mac model:

• For MacBooks with a non-removable battery: Shut down your Mac, press and hold Shift-Control-Option on the left side of the built-in keyboard, then press the power button at the same time. Hold these keys for 10 seconds, release all keys, then press the power button again to turn on your Mac.
• For MacBooks with a removable battery: Shut down your Mac, remove the battery, press and hold the power button for 5 seconds, reinstall the battery, and turn on your Mac.
• For Mac desktop computers: Shut down your Mac, unplug the power cord, wait 15 seconds, plug the power cord back in, wait 5 seconds, then press the power button to turn on your Mac.

Strategy 8: Reset PRAM/NVRAM

PRAM and NVRAM store user settings. Resetting PRAM/NVRAM can fix issues that arise after updates when settings in these areas become corrupted. To reset:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Turn on the computer and immediately press and hold Option-Command-P-R.
3. Hold these keys for about 20 seconds. On Macs that play a startup sound, release the keys after the second chime. On Macs with the Apple T2 Security Chip, release the keys after the Apple logo appears and disappears for the second time.

Strategy 9: Uninstall Incompatible Programs

Incompatible programs can cause various issues on your Mac, including slow performance. Uninstalling these programs can help ensure smooth system operation. To uninstall:

1. Click on the Finder icon in your Dock to open a Finder window.
2. Select “Applications” in the Finder menu to view all installed applications.
3. Identify any applications that are known to be incompatible with macOS Sonoma or that you no longer use.
4. Drag the application icon from the Applications folder to the Trash, or use the dedicated uninstaller if available.
5. Right-click on the Trash icon in the Dock and select “Empty Trash” to permanently delete the application and free up space.

By following these strategies, you can significantly enhance your Mac’s performance on the Sonoma OS. A well-maintained Mac is a fast Mac. Remember, regular maintenance is key to keeping your Mac running smoothly.