1. Your Mac Takes Forever to Boot After an Update? 🐢
So your Mac is slow to start up after an update. It used to boot in under 30 seconds — now it sits on the Apple logo, loading bar crawling along, fans spinning. If that sounds familiar, don’t worry. You’re not the only one.
After major macOS updates (like Sonoma or Ventura), it’s common for your Mac to feel slower than before — especially during startup. But the good news is: most of these issues are temporary or easily fixable. Let’s dive into the why — and the how to fix it.
2. Why Does macOS Slow Down After an Update? 🧠
Right after updating, your Mac runs a lot of background tasks:
- Rebuilding system caches and kernel extensions
- Re-indexing Spotlight and Photos
- Running privacy and security checks (Gatekeeper, iCloud validation)
- Syncing apps and services — especially if you use Dropbox, iCloud, or OneDrive
All of this can affect startup time. But if it keeps happening days after the update, something deeper is going on.
3. Disable Login Items Slowing You Down ⚠️
The most common startup killer? Apps that auto-launch at login.
- Go to System Settings → General → Login Items
- Remove anything non-essential (Dropbox, Zoom, Spotify, etc.)
- Then scroll to “Allow in Background” and toggle off what you don’t need
Each background app adds seconds to your startup. Cut them out, and your Mac will thank you.
4. Reset NVRAM and SMC — They Store Boot Preferences 🧠
Resetting your Mac’s low-level memory helps if boot order, display settings, or power management got messed up during the update.
- Intel Mac – Reset NVRAM: Hold
Option + Command + P + Rat boot for 20 seconds - Intel Mac – Reset SMC: Hold Shift + Control + Option + Power for 10 seconds
- Apple Silicon Mac: Shut down completely, wait 10 seconds, and restart normally
5. Clean Up System Junk and Old Caches 🧼
macOS updates often leave behind outdated cache files, installer debris, and unused extensions. These slow down boot time.
You can clean them up manually (~/Library/Caches), or use tools like OnyX or CleanMyMac (carefully). Focus on:
- System cache
- Font caches
- Application logs
6. Check for Startup Disk Errors Using Disk Utility 🧰
Sometimes, startup slowdowns come from disk problems — not software. To check:
- Open Disk Utility (Applications → Utilities)
- Select your main disk (usually “Macintosh HD”)
- Click “First Aid” → Run
If it finds errors, macOS will repair them automatically. This can dramatically speed up boot times.
7. Disable Unused Launch Agents and Daemons 🛠️
Some apps install hidden services that load at startup — even after uninstalling the app. These can bloat your boot time.
- Go to
/Library/LaunchAgentsand/Library/LaunchDaemons - Also check
~/Library/LaunchAgents(user level) - Move suspicious or unused items to a backup folder and restart
⚠️ Be careful — only remove files you understand. When in doubt, look them up online.
8. Check Activity Monitor After Boot
Once your Mac boots, open Activity Monitor → CPU and Memory tabs. Look for:
- Apps using >70% CPU just after boot
- Memory Pressure in yellow/red
- Long “Time Awake Since Boot” with high resource use
Apps like Dropbox, OneDrive, or Creative Cloud often spike at login and delay responsiveness.
Extra Tip 💡
If you recently migrated from an old Mac or restored a Time Machine backup, consider a clean install instead. Migrations can carry over bloated settings that slow boot time.
🚀 Fix Startup Delays Instantly with AppHalt
AppHalt helps speed up boot time by managing what loads — and when.
✅ Pause apps that auto-start without your consent
✅ Identify CPU-hungry background items slowing boot
✅ Keep your Mac smooth after every update
📥 Want your Mac to boot like new again? Download AppHalt now and enjoy faster startups every day.
