A slow boot on a Mac is usually caused by too many login items or a nearly full startup disk. The quickest fix is to remove apps you don’t need under System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions, free up storage, and restart once in safe mode. If none of that helps, run Disk Utility First Aid, and reinstall macOS as a last resort.
Before you change anything, figure out where the delay happens. If the Apple logo and progress bar take a long time, the Mac is slow to boot. If the password screen shows up quickly but the desktop takes a while, the Mac is slow to log in. When the login screen appears quickly and the desktop is what lags, the cause is usually the work that starts after you log in: login items, background tasks, syncing or indexing.
Why is my Mac so slow to start up?
Most slow Mac startups trace back to software that launches automatically, a startup disk that’s short on space or damaged, or something attached to the Mac. Here are the causes, most likely first:
- Too many login items. Login items are apps that launch when you boot up or log in to your Mac. Every one of them adds to the wait before the desktop is usable.
- Background items and extensions. Helper tools from cloud storage, antivirus, VPN and printer software run quietly in the background and can slow both boot and login.
- A nearly full startup disk. macOS needs free space for caches, virtual memory and updates. When the disk is almost full, everything slows down, startup included.
- A recent macOS update. The first few starts after a big update are often slower because Spotlight and Photos re-index your files in the background.
- Connected drives and accessories. External drives, hubs and docks can make the Mac check extra devices while it starts up.
- Disk errors or aging hardware. An older Intel Mac with a spinning hard drive, or a drive that’s starting to fail, will boot much more slowly than a healthy SSD.
How do I make my Mac startup faster? 8 fixes in order
Start with the safest steps and test your startup after each one, so you know which change fixed it.
- Restart from the Apple menu. Choose Apple menu > Restart instead of holding the power button. A clean restart clears stuck processes and lets pending updates finish.
- Unplug accessories. Disconnect external drives, hubs, docks and card readers, then restart. If startup speeds up, plug devices back in one at a time to find the one causing the delay.
- Trim your login items. Choose Apple menu > System Settings, click General in the sidebar, then Login Items & Extensions (scroll down if you need to). On older macOS versions this setting is just called Login Items. Select each app you don’t need under Open at Login and click the minus (–) button. Turn off background items you don’t recognize or no longer use.
- Free up storage. Go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage to see what’s using space. Empty the Trash, delete old downloads and large videos, and move archives to an external drive or iCloud. Try to keep at least 10% to 20% of the drive free.
- Update macOS and your apps. Open System Settings > General > Software Update and install anything available. Update your third-party apps too, because outdated helper tools are a common source of startup problems.
- Check the startup disk setting. Open System Settings > General > Startup Disk and make sure your internal drive (usually Macintosh HD) is selected. If the wrong disk is selected, the Mac can waste time searching for it.
- Start up once in safe mode. Safe mode skips third-party login items, checks the disk and clears system caches. The steps for your Mac are in the next section.
- Run Disk Utility First Aid. Open Disk Utility (it’s in Applications > Utilities), select your startup volume, click First Aid, and follow the prompts. If First Aid reports errors it can’t repair, back up right away.
How to start a Mac in safe mode
Safe mode on a Mac starts the computer with only essential software, which helps you check whether the problem comes from software that loads when your Mac starts. The steps depend on your processor. To check, choose Apple menu > About This Mac and look for “Chip” (Apple silicon) or “Processor” (Intel).
Mac with Apple silicon (M-series chips)
- Shut down your Mac.
- Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window.
- Select your startup disk, then press and hold the Shift key while clicking “Continue in Safe Mode.”
Intel-based Mac
- Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key as your Mac starts up.
- Release the key when you see the login window, then log in to your Mac.
You may have to log in twice. On either the first or second login window, you should see “Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner. Safe mode itself can feel slow, because the Mac runs a disk check first, so don’t judge it by how long that startup takes. Restart normally and see whether regular startups are faster. According to Apple, if the issue returns after restarting your Mac, it’s caused by a login item or other software that safe mode prevents from loading at startup. In that case, remove login items and extensions one at a time until you find the cause.
Slow Mac startup: symptoms, causes and fixes
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Apple logo and progress bar take a long time | Disk errors, low storage or a slow hard drive | Free up space, run First Aid, consider an SSD on older Intel Macs |
| Login screen loads quickly, but the desktop is slow and apps pop open | Too many login items or background items | Trim Login Items & Extensions |
| Slow only for the first few days after an update | Spotlight and Photos re-indexing | Leave the Mac on and plugged in so indexing can finish |
| Slow only with accessories plugged in | An external drive, hub or dock | Disconnect devices and test them one at a time |
| Fast in safe mode, slow in normal mode | Third-party software or extensions | Remove login items one by one, then update or uninstall the culprit |
| Still slow after every fix | Damaged macOS install or a hardware fault | Reinstall macOS from Recovery, then contact Apple |
Why is my Mac so slow after an update, or even after a factory reset?
A Mac that’s slow right after a macOS update is usually busy indexing in the background, and it typically speeds up once Spotlight and Photos finish. Keep it plugged in and awake for a while, then restart.
A Mac that stays slow after a factory reset, or even when you have plenty of free storage, points more toward hardware than software. The usual suspects are an aging hard drive, a failing SSD, or a Mac that’s simply old for the macOS version it’s running. Apple Diagnostics can check the hardware. On Apple silicon, hold the power button at startup until the options appear, then press Command-D. On an Intel Mac, hold the D key as it starts up.
How to reinstall macOS when nothing else works
Reinstalling macOS from macOS Recovery replaces the system files and normally keeps your personal data, but you should back up with Time Machine first in case something goes wrong.
- Back up your Mac. Connect an external drive and run a full Time Machine backup.
- Open macOS Recovery. On Apple silicon, shut down, hold the power button until startup options appear, then click Options > Continue. On Intel, restart and hold Command-R.
- Choose Reinstall macOS. Follow the prompts, keep the Mac plugged in and connected to the internet, and don’t close the lid.
When to get your Mac repaired
Contact Apple Support, an Apple Authorized Service Provider or an Apple Store if you see any of these signs:
- Diagnostics reports a hardware error. Write down the reference code so the technician can look it up.
- First Aid can’t repair the disk. The drive may be failing, so back up right away.
- Clicking or grinding sounds. On older Macs with hard drives, these sounds mean the drive is failing.
- A swollen battery or liquid damage. Stop using the Mac and get it inspected.
- Your Mac keeps starting in safe mode. A stuck Shift key can cause this. If the keyboard is fine and it keeps happening, it needs service.
FAQ
– Does macOS really take 3 hours to install?
A macOS install usually takes much less than 3 hours, but a slow internet connection, a large upgrade or an older Mac with a hard drive can push it that long. The progress bar can sit still for a long time while files are being written. Don’t turn the Mac off during the install. Keep it plugged in and let it finish.
– Why is my Mac taking so long to turn on after being dead?
A Mac with a completely drained battery needs to charge for a while before it can start up. Plug it into its charger, wait several minutes, then press the power button. If it still won’t start after a good charge, try a different outlet and cable before contacting Apple.
– What are signs that your Mac has a virus?
Common signs of malware on a Mac include constant pop-up ads, a browser homepage or search engine that changed without your permission, apps you don’t remember installing, and fans running hard while the Mac is doing nothing. Check Login Items & Extensions for entries you don’t recognize, and only download apps from the App Store or developers you trust.
– How often should I restart my MacBook?
Restart your MacBook whenever you install updates or it starts to feel sluggish. A restart clears memory and stuck processes that sleep doesn’t. If you have to restart every day just to keep the Mac usable, go through the fixes above.