Mac Performance Optimization Checklist
1. Quick Health Checks (5–10 minutes)
☐ Restart the Mac (clears memory and stalled processes)
☐ Plug into power (some Macs throttle performance on battery)
☐ Ensure at least 15–20% free storage on the main drive
☐ Confirm macOS version (Apple menu → About This Mac)
2. Storage Cleanup (Biggest Performance Win)
☐ Apple menu → System Settings → General → Storage
☐ Review Recommendations at the top
☐ Empty Trash
☐ Remove unused apps (especially old utilities or trial software)
☐ Delete large unused files (Downloads, Movies, old backups)
Optional but effective
☐ Move photos/videos to external storage
☐ Enable Optimize Storage (for iCloud users)
3. Login Items & Background Apps
☐ System Settings → General → Login Items
☐ Remove anything not absolutely necessary
☐ Disable “Allow in the Background” for unused apps
☐ Restart after changes
This often cuts boot time in half.
4. Activity Monitor Review
☐ Open Activity Monitor
☐ Sort by CPU → look for apps stuck above 80–100%
☐ Sort by Memory → identify heavy or leaking apps
☐ Quit or uninstall problematic software
Avoid force-quitting Apple system processes unless clearly frozen.
5. Free Up Memory (RAM)
☐ Close browser tabs you aren’t using
☐ Restart Chrome/Firefox if memory usage is high
☐ Reduce browser extensions
☐ Check Memory Pressure (green = healthy)
6. Disable Visual & Background Effects
☐ System Settings → Accessibility → Display
☐ Enable Reduce motion
☐ Enable Reduce transparency
☐ System Settings → Desktop & Dock
☐ Disable unnecessary animations
☐ Remove widgets you don’t use
7. Spotlight & Indexing Reset (If Mac Feels Constantly Busy)
☐ System Settings → Siri & Spotlight → Spotlight Privacy
☐ Add the main drive
☐ Wait 30 seconds
☐ Remove it again (forces re-index)
8. Check for Malware & Junk Software
☐ Review Applications folder for unknown apps
☐ Uninstall “cleaners,” “boosters,” or antivirus trials
☐ Check browser extensions for suspicious items
Most “Mac cleaner” apps slow systems down, not speed them up.
9. Software & macOS Updates
☐ System Settings → General → Software Update
☐ Install pending macOS updates
☐ Update apps via App Store or developer sites
☐ If performance dropped after an update, wait for a point release
10. External Factors
☐ Disconnect unnecessary peripherals
☐ Check slow external drives or failing USB hubs
☐ Test performance with everything unplugged
11. Disk Health Check
☐ Open Disk Utility
☐ Run First Aid on the internal drive
☐ Look for errors or warnings
Repeated errors may indicate failing storage.
12. Browser Optimization
☐ Clear browser cache (not passwords)
☐ Remove unused extensions
☐ Limit auto-starting web apps
☐ Consider Safari for better macOS integration
13. Reset System Management (Intel Macs Only)
☐ Reset SMC (power, fans, battery issues)
☐ Reset NVRAM (boot, display, audio issues)
(Not required on Apple Silicon Macs.)
14. Final Performance Test
☐ Restart Mac
☐ Time boot speed
☐ Open common apps
☐ Verify fan noise and responsiveness
☐ Confirm storage free space remains healthy
If the Mac Is Still Slow
☐ Test in a new user account
☐ Backup data
☐ Consider macOS reinstall (without erasing data)
☐ Check if hardware is below modern requirements (older Intel Macs)
Pro Tip
If a Mac has:
- Less than 8 GB RAM
- A nearly full drive
- Multiple background utilities
No amount of “cleanup” will fully fix it—hardware limits matter.