How to Speed Up Macbook Pro & Macbook Air [9 Quick Ways]

Why Is My MacBook Pro & Air So Slow?

Many consumers have been grumbling that the MacBook has become terribly slow, though it used to work well in the past. This normally occurs as a result of both software and hardware causes.

Common Reasons Your Mac is Running Slow

• Too many startup and background apps
• Poor storage due to junk files, caching, and leftovers.
• Outdated macOS or apps
• Heavy visual effects on older Apple computers
• Insufficient RAM for modern apps
• Aging hardware in older MacBook models

Once these pile up, performance drops. The next sections focus on practical ways to fix this and speed up a MacBook without stress.

Basic Quick Tips to Make Mac Run Faster (Works for both New and Old MacBooks)

1. Restart & Update macOS and Apps

Restarting also deletes the temporary memory and halts background processes that hang. It is extremely easy, but nobody pays attention to it.

Steps:

• Restart: Apple menu > Restart.

• Update: System Settings > General > Software Update (install any available macOS updates).

• For apps: App Store > Updates tab.

2. Clean Junk Files, Caches, and Browsing Data in One Click

With time, your Mac accumulates system garbage, app caches, installer garbage, browsers, and Trash history. These consume storage, and slack everything.

This is where Tenorshare Cleamio stands out. It is designed to help users who want to know how to clean and speed up MacBook without manual hassle.

Why Tenorshare Cleamio works so well:

• Deep scans the system and app junk
• Removes gigabytes of hidden cache files
• Completely uninstall apps on Mac with removing all its related files
• Find and remove larger files and duplicates on Mac safely
• Deletes app leftovers and unused installers
• One-click cleaning with no technical steps

This makes it ideal for anyone asking how to make a MacBook run faster.

Steps to clean Mac junk files using Cleamio:

• Download and install Tenorshare Cleamio. Go to “Junk Files” and click the “Scan” button to start finding system and app junks as well as hidden caches.
  
• After scanning, all detected junk items (system junk, app junk, Trash, unused installers, and online browsing data) will be displayed. You can sort them by size, time, more.
  
• Select those junk items you want to clean up and click “Smart Cleanup”.
  

3. Remove Login and Startup Items

TUnnecessary apps launching at startup consume RAM and CPU, slowing boot times and overall performance, especially on older MacBook Air and Pro models.

Steps:

• Open System Settings > General > Login Items
• Select unwanted items > Click "-" to remove.
• In the "Allow in the Background" section, toggle off unneeded processes.
  

4. Reduce Visual Effects and Switch Browsers

macOS's transparency, animations, and effects look great but use GPU/CPU resources, slowing older Apple computers or even MacBook Air 2020 models under load. Reducing them frees resources. Also, switch from resource-heavy browsers like Chrome to Safari for better speed.

Steps to reduce effects:

• Click on System Settings > Accessibility > Display.

• Turn on the “Reduce motion" (simplifies animations) and "Reduce transparency" (removes blur effects).

• For Dock: System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Minimize windows using: "Scale" (faster than Genie). Also, uncheck "Animate opening applications."

These tweaks help speed up old MacBook Pro and Air, making your Mac run like new without hardware changes.

How to Speed Up MacBook Pro and Air (4 Advanced Ways For M1–M4 and Intel-based MacBooks)

For deeper improvements on older MacBook Air/Pro (Intel) or even M-series like MacBook Air M1 or Pro 2020/2022/2024, these hardware/software methods work well.

Way 1. Upgrade HDD to SSD (Most proven way to speed up an old MacBook)

Old Intel MacBooks often have slow HDDs, swapping to an SSD dramatically boosts read/write speeds (up to 10x faster boot/apps), making older computers feel new.

Steps (for upgradable models, e.g., 2012 or earlier):

• Backup data (Time Machine).

• Use iFixit guides for your model to open and replace drive.

• Clone old drive to new SSD (Carbon Copy Cloner).

• Install SSD, reassemble.

This is highly effective to speed up old MacBook Pro and Air.

Way 2. Maximize RAM Upgrade (8GB or 16GB)

More RAM allows better multitasking, crucial for how to make MacBook Air run faster on older models. Low RAM causes swapping to disk, slowing everything.

Steps:

• Check compatibility: Verify your MacBook model supports RAM upgrades (most 2012-2015 models do; 2016+ models typically don't)

• Purchase compatible RAM: Buy the correct type (DDR3/DDR4) and maximum capacity for your model

• Power off completely and disconnect all cables

• Remove bottom case using appropriate screwdriver

• Release old RAM by pushing retaining clips outward

• Insert new RAM at 45-degree angle, then press down until clips snap

• Replace bottom case and power on

• Verify upgrade in Apple menu > About This Mac

Way 3. Repaste CPU/GPU and Clean Fans (For old MacBooks only)

Dust buildup and dried paste cause overheating/throttling on Intel models, reducing speed. Fresh paste improves heat transfer, allowing sustained performance; cleaning fans prevents thermal limits. This method is best for older MacBook Pro/Air overheating.

Steps:

• Disassemble to access logic board/fans.

• Clean dust with compressed air.

• Remove old paste (isopropyl alcohol), apply new (e.g., Arctic MX-6).

• Reassemble carefully.

Way 4. Clean Install macOS

Removes accumulated bloat/conflicts for a fresh start. Eliminates junk, optimizes files, great for how to make my Mac quicker on any model.

• Backup everything.

• Restart in Recovery (Command + R).

• Disk Utility > Erase startup disk (APFS/Mac OS Extended).

• Reinstall macOS from Recovery.

How to Maintain Mac Speed Over Time

To keep your Mac fast long-term:

• Keep macOS updated: performance fixes + security patches.
• Manage startup items: remove apps you don’t need at login.
• Maintain free storage: keep at least 15–20% disk space free.
• Monitor background apps: quit heavy apps in Activity Monitor.
• Restart regularly: clears memory and background processes.
• Avoid “cleaner” apps: macOS handles optimization better natively.
• Check battery health (MacBooks): poor battery can throttle performance.
• Use an SSD only: avoid external booting from slow drives.
• Control browser tabs & extensions: major RAM and CPU drain.
• Keep your Mac cool: clean vents, avoid blocking airflow.

These habits help maintain and speed up MacBook performance consistently.

People Also Ask About Speeding Up MacBook

Q1: How do I clear the cache and speed up my Mac?

Clearing cache can be done manually, whereas tools such as Cleamio by Tenorshare do it by clicking a button.

Q2: Do Macs need to be defragged?

No. Modern Macs use SSD + APFS, which automatically manages file layout. Defragmenting is unnecessary and can reduce SSD lifespan.

Q3: Does upgrading RAM speed up a Mac?

Yes, if you multitask, use heavy apps, or hit memory pressure. Big improvement for Intel Macs with upgradeable RAM. Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) → RAM is not upgradeable; buy enough upfront.

Q4: What is the best terminal command to speed up a Mac?

There is no single command. It is much better to clean junk files and control the start-up apps.

Conclusion

In case you are serious about how to speed up MacBook Pro and Air, begin with easy repairs and maintenance. Most users find that cleaning junk files makes the biggest difference.

An easy, secure, user-friendly method of adding speed without having to be a technical genius is provided by Tenorshare Cleamio. Add smart settings and upgrades, and your Mac can be smooth and responsive once more.

Speak Your Mind

Speak Your Mind

Related articles

• Top 8 Best Mac Application Managers in 2026 [Tested & Compared]
• 7 Best Mac Activity Monitor Alternatives in 2026
• MSI Afterburner Download & Use Guide: Optimize GPU Performance
• How to Debloat macOS Sequoia/Tahoe to Remove Bloatware & Speed Up Mac
• The 10 Best Mac Disk Space Analyzers (Free & Paid with Fast Speed)
• Why & How to Speed Up iPhone 16e/iPhone SE 4 Slow Issues?

All topics