macOS Sequoia slow: 7 quick fixes

If you're disappointed by the new macOS Sequoia slow performance, firstly, you're not the only one. Many of us jumped at the chance to install the latest major update from Apple, only to be a bit disheartened by the results.

Honestly, teething problems with Apple updates are nothing new, and we've seen them historically with all major updates; although we should be prepared for some issues, it doesn't make the problem any less annoying.

Luckily, there is a lot we can do to speed up Sequoia, and that's what we're here for; we've got seven simple tips to help you get your Mac back on track. We'll also explain how to fix other issues with macOS Sequoia. 

macOS Sequoia performance issues

First, let's take a look at some of the most commonly reported issues with Apple's new release:

• Sequoia slows down general Mac performance
• Apps crashing or stalling
• Wi-Fi & Bluetooth not working
• Battery draining quickly

Let's face it; there's not an item in the list that any user wants to encounter, so let's head to the next section and get some troubleshooting tips to speed up Sequoia.

macOS Sequoia performance improvements

1. Check your CPU

There's nothing fun about using a slow MacBook since it makes the simplest of tasks painful. It's a good idea to check what's eating your CPU. We can do this through Activity Monitor and instantly quit any unneeded processes. Here's how:

1. Go to Finder > Applications > Utilities and open Activity Monitor.
2. Make sure you select the CPU tab at the top.
3. Here are all the live, real-time active processes. Take a look at the top of the list to see the largest consumers.
4. If there is something there you don't recognize or need to be active right now, then select it and click the X button to quit it immediately.

2. Run maintenance tasks

When your Mac is slow after the Sequoia update, a quick way to speed it back up is to do some maintenance tasks.

Running tasks like reindexing your Spotlight search, repairing disk permissions, and managing your login and background items can drastically enhance performance. The problem is that many users don't have the time for that. The good news is that you can utilize a purpose-built app like CleanMyMac to do all the hard work for you.

This Apple-notarized tool comes with a smart Performance feature that can do all of these tasks and, more simultaneously, boost the speed of your Mac in minutes; here's how it works:

1. Open the application (get your free trial here).

2. Go to Performance and run a scan. 

3. Click View All Tasks.

4. Select all the items from the list and click Run.

3. Check your apps are up to date

If you haven't checked if your apps are up to date, this is your friendly reminder to do so. Not all apps will instantly be optimized or compatible with the new macOS Sequoia update, meaning they'll slow your Mac down, act strange, or crash a lot. It's important you check for updates manually; here's how:

• Open the App Store > Updates.
• Choose to update it all or individually if it's just certain apps you're having issues with.

4. Disable or check your startup items

Disabling any unnecessary startup or login items is another really simple way to boost your Mac's performance and speed. Login items consume valuable resources, and if they've also become incompatible with macOS Sequoia, it's time to remove them; here's how:

1. Go to the main Apple menu > System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions.
2. Under Open at Login, review what's there. If you want to remove something, select it and press the '-' button.
3. While you're here, also review apps and programs listed in Allow in the Background and toggle off anything that doesn't need to consume resources while you're not actually using it.

5. Clean up your Mac

It might sound obvious, but many users skip this step once again due to a lack of precious time. A mountain of cache, cookies, broken files, temporary folders, and useless system log clutter will slow your Mac down. There's no need to panic — it's easy to do.

The tool we mentioned in tip two (CleanMyMac) also has a powerful Cleanup feature. In just a few quick clicks, you can rid your MacBook of all its digital clutter, boosting its performance; here's how:

1. Open CleanMyMac once again.

2. Click Cleanup > Scan > Clean.

Remember to do this regularly; it'll help to keep your Mac optimized and running at its best.

6. Free up some extra storage

The Mac Sequoia slow issue is a good reminder to us all that to keep our devices running smoothly, they do need to have enough storage space. Freeing up storage will instantly give your Mac a boost, so here are a few things to try:

• Delete any apps you no longer use.
• Store your photos and videos on an external drive or in cloud storage.
• Tidy up your Mac's Desktop.
• Clean out your Downloads folder.
• Empty your Trash.

7. Wait it out

So, if you've exhausted this list and you are still frustrated by macOS Sequoia being laggy, you could just wait it out.

When you install a new major update, there's actually a lot of stuff happening behind the scenes, and it's possible that several processes are still being updated. Try waiting it out for a few days before making any drastic decisions like downgrading the operating system or buying a new Mac. Of course, the choice is yours. 

How to fix macOS Sequoia known issues

1. Sequoia won't install

Let's start by talking you through how to fix installation issues. If you can't install Sequoia or it keeps crashing mid-way through, here's how to solve it.

1. First, before you even begin, make sure your device is compatible. You can find the official list here from Apple.
2. Next, you need to check that you have enough free storage space; you will need around 25GB. Head to the main Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage.
3. Check your internet connection is stable, or connect to a different network.

Install issues are common, and they're usually due to internet connectivity problems and storage issues. If you do need to free up space, here are a few things to consider:

• Transfer your media to a cloud or external storage.
• Remove unused applications.
• Clear your Downloads folder.
• Tidy up your Desktop.
• Delete unwanted large files and folders.

2. Wi-Fi not working after Sequoia install

There are a few things you can do to troubleshoot Wi-Fi issues:

1. Restart your Mac.
2. Toggle your Wi-Fi on and off from the Wi-Fi top menu icon.
3. Forget your Wi-Fi network completely and rejoin it.
4. Temporarily turn off your Firewall. From the main Apple menu > System Settings > Network > Firewall and toggle it off.

3. Bluetooth not working

Similar to Wi-Fi issues, when your previously connected Bluetooth devices won't connect, here's what you can do:

1. Toggle your Bluetooth on and off from the Bluetooth top menu icon.
2. Forget previously connected devices and reconnect.
3. Restart your Mac.

4. Apps crashing on macOS Sequoia

When apps keep crashing, instead of painfully trying to manually check for updates, use the tool we mentioned earlier, CleanMyMac, to mass update them. Here's how it works:

• Open the app and select Applications > Scan > Manage My Applications > Updater.
• Select all the apps you want to update and click Update.

5. Battery draining

If you feel like your battery is running out quicker than usual, it's possible all the new macOS Sequoia features are taking a toll on your system; you can try a few different things:

• Close down any programs or apps you're not using.
• Reduce your screen brightness.
• Make sure you don't have tons of browser tabs open.
• Activate Low Power Mode from System Settings > Battery.

Well we've come to the end of this article, but now you have some tips to help macOS Sequoia slow and other performance issues.