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Clear answers to the questions Mac owners ask, solved with the tools already on your Mac.
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Guide · Slow Mac
Why is my Mac slow? How to find the cause
A slow Mac is usually a busy app, too little memory, a nearly full disk or heat. Here’s how to see which one with macOS’s own tools.
Most asked
Task Manager on a Mac: how to open itThe Mac’s Task Manager is Activity Monitor. Open it with Spotlight, quit a frozen app with Option-Command-Esc, and see what replaces each Windows tool.MacBook battery draining fast? See what’s busyA MacBook battery drains fast when an app keeps it busy. The battery menu and Activity Monitor’s Energy tab show which one; here’s what to do.“Your disk is almost full”: what to do firstWhen your Mac’s disk is almost full, check Storage in System Settings, empty the Trash, then delete or move large files. Here’s what to do first.Why is my MacBook getting hot?A MacBook gets hot when its processor works hard or its vents can’t move air. Here’s how to find the busy app and cool it down, with macOS’s tools.Mac Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting? How to find the causeWhen a Mac’s Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting, Wireless Diagnostics can watch the connection and name the problem. Here’s what to check, step by step.Every answer, by topic
Slow Mac
Why is my Mac slow?
GuideWhy is my Mac slow? How to find the causeMac slow after a macOS update? What’s normalSpinning wheel on Mac? What it means and what to doHow to check CPU usage on a MacHow to free up RAM on a Mac, and when not toHow to speed up a Mac: what actually helpsHow to stop apps opening at startup on a MacMac memory pressure: why high RAM use is often fineWhat is swap on a Mac, and when should you worry?Why is Chrome using so much memory on a Mac?WindowServer using high CPU on a Mac? What it meansIs 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM enough for your Mac?Which app is slowing down my Mac? How to find itWhy is my Mac suddenly slow?
Heat
Why is my Mac hot?
Storage
Where did my storage go?
GuideMac storage full? Where your space wentHow to delete apps on a Mac, and what’s left behindHow to empty the Trash on a Mac, and when it won’t“Your disk is almost full”: what to do firstHow much free space should a Mac have?How to check storage on a Mac: 4 waysHow to clear cache on a Mac, and when not toHow to free up space on a Mac: every way, rankedHow to find large files on a Mac, safelyWhat is System Data on a Mac, and why is it so big?
Battery
Why does my battery drain, and is it healthy?
GuideMac battery problems: drain, health and chargingHow to show battery percentage on a MacMacBook battery Service Recommended: what it meansShould I keep my MacBook plugged in all the time?How to make your MacBook battery last longerIs your charger fast enough for your MacBook?Low Power Mode on a Mac: what it changesMacBook plugged in but not charging?MacBook battery draining fast? See what’s busyMacBook battery health and cycle count, explained
Internet and Wi-Fi
Is it my Wi-Fi or my internet?
GuideMac Wi-Fi problems: slow, dropping or no internetMac won’t connect to Wi-Fi? How to fix itHow much data does my Mac use? How to checkHow to run a ping test on a MacMac connected to Wi-Fi but no internet? What to doMac Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting? How to find the causeWhat’s a good Wi-Fi signal? dBm explainedWhy is my Mac’s Wi-Fi so slow? How to find outHow to test internet speed on a Mac
Drives
Is my drive fast, found and set up right?
GuideExternal hard drives and SSDs on a Mac: a guideExternal hard drive read-only on a Mac? How to fix itHow to format an SD card on a Mac, and which format“Disk Not Ejected Properly” on a Mac: why it happensAPFS, exFAT or Mac OS Extended: which format to useExternal drive not showing up on a Mac? Fix itHow to test SSD speed on a Mac
Mac basics
Specs, Task Manager and checkups.