Fix your Mac running slow after update to Sequoia

After upgrading to the latest macOS, does the Mac run slower? Don't worry, you are not alone! This article will share my experience in solving slow Mac running problems after upgrading to macOS Sequoia. After the upgrade, I can’t wait to experience new features such as recording and transcription of voice notes and improved trail map planning capabilities. But after installation, my Mac started running slowly.

Causes and solutions for slow Mac running after macOS update

Here is my summary of my experience, I hope it can help you solve the problem of slow Mac running after macOS Sequoia update:

Cause of the problem	Solution
Performance issues	Use Novabench to perform performance testing to find out what the problem is.
CPU usage is too high	Use App Tamer to limit resource usage for CPU-intensive applications.
Too many applications running at startup	Manage and disable unnecessary startup applications in System Settings > General > Login entries and extensions.
Application incompatible or expired	Use CleanMyMac to update the app or uninstall incompatible apps.
Visual effects	Enable "Reduce Dynamic Effects" and "Reduce Transparency" in System Settings > Accessibility > Display.
Too many browser tabs	Close unused browser tabs.
Wi-Fi is slow	Use WiFi Explorer to scan the network, identify conflicts, and select the best channel.
Too much pressure on processors, software, applications and hard drives	Reboot and shut down your Mac more frequently.

Why is my Mac running slow after software updates?

It is common for Macs to run slower after major updates like Sequoia 15. In most cases, it is normal and easy to fix if you find your Mac running slower right after an update. It could be that some applications require more CPU resources on Sequoia, or that the new update takes up a lot of storage space (macOS Sequoia has 12.1 GB installation, but it takes almost twice as much space to complete the installation), or there is some kind of bug that Apple will fix soon. However, for most daily tasks, your Mac should not be significantly slower. If it does slow down, measures should be taken to fix it.

Quick and easy way to repair

Before digging into the solution, it is best to understand what is really causing the slowdown. Running performance tests can help you understand whether CPU, RAM, or storage space is causing a bottleneck. I used Novabench – it only takes a few minutes to provide detailed reports on CPU, GPU, and disk performance.

How to run performance tests using Novabench:

1. Install and open the Novabench app.
2. Run benchmarks to measure CPU, GPU, and disk speeds.
3. Use results to identify problem areas—high CPU usage, slow disk reading speed, etc.

In my case, the test took only 2-4 minutes, like getting a clear snapshot of the health of the Mac. After the first run, I found that my CPU reached 80% capacity while performing basic tasks. This led me to investigate the background process and manage my app usage more carefully. However, continuous slow running can be solved with some tweaks – for more insights, read How to Speed ​​Up a Slow-Running Mac.

Free up disk space for performance

One of the first things I do after my Mac is slowing down is to check the available storage space. It turned out that my hard drive was almost full after the update. A messy hard drive is usually the root cause of slow Macs running.

I used CleanMyMac to run a clean scan, clean out outdated caches, system junk, and unnecessary downloads. This freed up 5GB of space and my Mac immediately felt much faster.

How to free up disk space using CleanMyMac:

1. Install and open CleanMyMac.
2. Click "Clean" in the side menu.
3. Click Scan > View All Junk Files.
4. View system junk files and select the file you want to delete > Clean up.

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Disable applications started at startup

I'm a handy fan, so I tend to install a lot of apps that start on startup: I work with Slack, Google, Notes and a few other apps. But I quickly learned that a long list of auto-start applications could impact the performance of my Mac. Reducing the list can be of great help in performance improvements.

To disable applications launched at startup, go from the Apple menu to System Settings > General > Login and Extensions > Click the minus icon to delete any applications that do not require automatic startup.

Limit CPU-intensive applications

After the update, I noticed that some of my design software was eating the CPU like there was no tomorrow. Instead of quitting it completely, I decided to manage it better.

Use App Tamer to limit the use of the application's resource. It automatically slows down the inactive application, allowing me to focus on what is important without exhausting my system resources.

You can also set rules for applications with high CPU usage so that they slow down after reaching a specific usage threshold.

How to use App Tamer:

1. Install and open App Tamer.
2. Click on the application you want to set the rules.
3. Set CPU limit rules.

Then, when the application reaches the set CPU limit, the application will slow down or stop completely.

Update or uninstall the application

Some older applications don't work well with the latest macOS. If the application crashes or runs slowly after an update, it may be due to compatibility issues.

I personally use CleanMyMac to maintain all updates and uninstalls, using its application features – which is much easier than doing it manually.

My steps are as follows:

1. Open CleanMyMac > Applications.
2. Click Scan.
3. Once the scan is complete, view the results and follow the recommendations.

Reduce visual effects

I like the animations that come with each new macOS version, but they slow down the old system. So I decided to sacrifice some visuals for smoother performance.

To reduce visual effects on your Mac, go to System Settings > Accessibility > Display > Enable "Reduce Dynamic Effects" and "Reduce Transparency".

I can feel the difference. The windows are changing faster, and I haven't missed those fancy visuals as I thought.

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Organize the desktop

Your desktop is not infinitely large. It is designed to retain only basic files and folders for quick access. So if you tend to put all your newly downloaded files on your desktop, it quickly becomes too cluttered, slowing down your Mac. You probably know that simply moving files to the trash doesn't help – you have to change your habit of putting everything on the desktop.

Spotless helps organize your desktop while also learning to run cleanups for you in the future. Just create a task – for example, if you have screenshot issues (like me – I am the kind of person who will screenshot all the cool stuff I found online), set Spotless to automatically move all new screenshots to a specific folder.

How to organize files using Spotless:

1. Install and open Spotless.
2. Click the Spotless icon in the menu bar > Click the Hamburger button > Add/Edit Task.
3. Go to the Tasks tab > Click the plus sign “ ” button to create a new task.
4. Name the task and click the plus sign " " button in the file processing rules.
5. Set Rules > Complete.

Close the browser tab

I used to always open 30+ tabs (apparently, I needed to take a course on digital minimalism). But I quickly realized that this habit slowed down my Mac's performance, and the browser always topped the CPU usage list.

Now, I'm more focused on keeping only the tabs I really need, and my Mac runs smoother. This is a simple habit and will be of great help to avoid slow Mac running after an upgrade.

Check your Wi-Fi connection

After updating to Sequoia, I also noticed that my internet speed is slow – web pages take a long time to load and any application that requires a reliable connection is difficult to run. The standard internet speed test doesn't tell me much.

Then, I tried WiFi Explorer. Unlike ordinary speed measuring tools, it can actually find the root cause of the problem. It scans all nearby Wi-Fi networks to show which networks have the best signal and points out any channel conflicts that may cause performance degradation after macOS updates.

Thanks to this app, I figured out what exactly went wrong with my connection. Now, if my MacBook is lagging after a software update, the first thing I have to do is run the scan using WiFi Explorer. It saves me from countless Wi-Fi issues and keeps my Mac working properly.

Restart your Mac more frequently

To be honest: Most of us didn’t get our Macs the rest they deserve. We closed the lids at night and started them again the next morning, hoping that they would handle more heavy tasks.

But like us, our Macs need rest. Rather than just letting them sleep, try shutting down or restarting them more often. This simple habit can reduce the pressure on your processor, software, applications, and hard drives, allowing your Mac to get the refresh it needs to prevent the Mac from running slowly after an upgrade.

Summary: Fixed the issue after Mac is updated to the latest macOS

Updating to macOS Sequoia felt like taking apart a gift-until my Mac started to slow down. After some trial and error – and a lot of tips from other Mac users – I found the solution that works for me.

Here is a quick summary of what I took to get my Mac back to speed:

• Run performance tests using Novabench.
• Use Spotless to organize your desktop.
• Use CleanMyMac to free up disk space.
• Reduce startup applications to reduce startup time and improve performance.
• Use App Tamer to restrict CPU-intensive applications to control background processes.
• Update or uninstall the application.
• Turn off the visual effect.
• Limit browser tabs to free up memory and CPU usage.
• Check your Wi-Fi using WiFi Explorer.
• Restart your Mac regularly to refresh the system.

You can use the Setapp platform to find all of these applications I use, as well as over 250 other applications. They make it much easier to keep my Mac in good shape and you can try all of these apps for 7 days for free.

FAQ

Will updating your Mac slow it down?

Due to background tasks such as reindex, sync, and updating applications, it is common for Macs to run slower after upgrading to a new macOS. If your MacBook lags after a software update, this is usually a temporary problem that will be resolved by itself.

Is my Mac too old to update?

If your Mac is too old, it may not handle newer macOS versions well, resulting in performance degradation after macOS updates. For example, macOS Sequoia does not support the MacBook Pro before 2018 or the MacBook Air before 2020. Always check device compatibility before upgrading.

What are the problems with the latest macOS update?

Some users have encountered slower Mac updates due to increased CPU usage, application incompatibility, and the pressure on older hardware by visual effects. Regular maintenance (such as removing system garbage, updating software, and reducing visual effects) can improve performance.

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