Several factors are responsible for slow downloads on your Mac. Some of these can be addressed by you, while some cannot. If you are facing reduced download speed on your Mac, then here are ways to fix the issue and increase the download speeds.
- Upgrade memory to speed up a Mac. Memory is a massive factor in how smoothly your Mac runs. It's also one of the easiest upgrades as adding a new RAM module is simple. Nothing else needs to be done to your system. Even better, it's also not going to hurt your wallet too much.
- Speed Up A Slow Mac. We live in a fast-paced world and anything that slows us down can cause a lot of frustration. For Mac PC users, nothing contributes to this frustration more than a slow PC. We've come to rely heavily on our digital technology and we use them for so many daily assignments and activates.
- As you can see, however, there are several steps you can take to speed up Mojave. Sometimes the problems are caused by installing a new version of the OS over an older version, rather than performing a clean install. In that situation, cleaning up your system using CleanMyMac X can really help speed up your Mac.
Before you read, it is essential to know why your internet is slow. Also, in this post, I am mostly talking about increasing download speed on browsers. But many of the tricks here are equally useful if you are downloading files from App Store, iTunes Store, and elsewhere.
How to speed up a Mac in 11 tips Every Mac user needs to learn a few simple steps they can take to tweak a little more performance from their Apple machine.
Why Are Downloads Slow on Your Mac?
You must be aware of your internet speeds. Some fluctuations in download speeds are normal. It depends on the number of users, location, time of the day, and even major events in the country or across the globe! Shocking?
Well, in India, whenever there is a big Cricket World Cup match or top Indian Premier League matches, the net speed of most mobile internet providers drop low. This is because a vast number of people are live streaming the game, and thus everyone in the area sees a reduction in speeds.
At times, it is possible that there may be some technical issues from your network provider's end. It is also likely that an update may be downloading in the background that is slowing the download speed on your end. Some sites also reduce the download speeds or have an inferior server. ISP too may limit speeds for some sites, notably torrents. Similarly, there are multiple such reasons.
No matter what the causes are, in normal conditions, if you see exponentially reduced internet speed, then the first thing to do is to run a speed test. You may go to fast.com or speedtest.net and see what your download and upload speed on Mac is.
If you are disappointed by the result, read on. Here are ways to increase your internet download speed on Mac.
How to Speed Up Downloads on Mac
#1. Switch to a Different Website
If a website has set download speed limits on their end, or if their server is weak and cannot provide fast downloads, then there is not much you can do. In case, there is an alternate website from where you can download the same file, try to use that.
#2. Use Official Website for Maximum Speed
Multiple third party sites let you download Mac and Windows software. But try to use only the official websites instead of some third-party marketplace. You will get superior download speeds via the official sites.
#3. Restart your Mac
The first thing to do for better download speed is to restart your Mac. To do so, click on the Apple logo from top-right and then click Restart…
Note: Most websites, services, and browsers support resume downloads; however, if you have a big file in pending download that does not support ‘Resume Download,' then do not restart your Mac. You may lose everything that you have downloaded up to this point.
#4. Reboot your Wi-Fi router
Another easy step to increase download speed is restarting your Wi-Fi router. Use the power button on the router or use the wall outlet switch to turn it off and then turn it on.
#5. Close Unnecessary Browser Tabs
Have too many browser tabs open? Close the ones you do not need. Tabs opened in the background might take up some bandwidth. Sites that show sports score (like Cricbuzz) constantly refresh to keep you updated.
#6. Close any Video You are Streaming
Are you streaming a movie on Netflix or watching our tutorials on YouTube? Maybe you are catching that new TV show on Disney+ and also downloading some files in the background? Well, when you close these streaming sites, the download speed will increase.
#7. Switch to a Different Browser
If you get less download speed in Safari, change to a different browser. I would recommend Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, and Opera in that order.
#8. Install Adblocker
Straight up, this will not increase download speed but will increase browsing speeds. Also, please understand that we and many sites depend and pay our employees from revenue generated by ads.
But I agree they are annoying and many rich ads consume a lot of data. So, if you are downloading something and simultaneously browsing, you may consider temporarily using an Adblocker.
#9. Use Download Manager Extension
Managing downloads with a Download Manager app, extension/add-on might increase your download speed. They even let you organize your downloads or prioritize one over another. There are plenty of these on the respective stores of the browsers. For Chrome one that caught my eye is Free Download Manager.
#10. Decrease the Number of Extensions
Another trick to get a better experience when you are using a browser is to remove unwanted Extensions. It happens that we install an add-on or extension for a particular task, and then it stays in the browser, even though we do not need it.
How to Remove Extensions in Chrome: Click on three lines icon → Settings → Extensions → and Remove the ones you do not need.
Steps to Remove Extensions in Safari: Open Safari → Click Safari from Menu Bar → Preferences → Extensions → Uninstall unnecessary ones.
How to Remove Extensions from Firefox: Click on three lines icon from the top right → Add-ons → Extensions → three dots icon of an extension → Remove.
#11. Clear Browser Cache for Faster Downloads
Note: Before you clear cache, cookies, and browser history, make sure the pending download path is not lost. Save the link in notes app if needed.
Some browsers like Chrome and Firefox are known to handle it well, but Safari may struggle when the cache becomes too large. To clear Safari cache, follow the steps here.
To clear Cache in Chrome:
Step #1. Open Chrome and click on History from Menu Bar → Click on Show Full History → Click Clear browsing data.
Step #2. In Time range, select All time (or what you like) and click on Clear data. If you click on Advanced, you have some additional options that you can check.
Note: This method also deletes your History and the things selected in Step #2.
#12. Disconnect VPN to Increase Download Speed
One privilege of working for a media company is that I get to try several apps, services, and products. I have used, reviewed, and am acquainted with a dozen VPN apps. Let me tell you straight up, that almost every VPN (even with a premium subscription) slows down your speed.
So, to increase download speed, disconnect any system-wide VPN app or browser VPN extension you are using.
Additionally, if you have multiple VPN apps or VPN browser extensions installed, then consider deleting the unnecessary ones.
#13. Change to Different Networks
If you have access to multiple networks around you, then try to switch to a different Wi-Fi network. There are several reasons that the current Wi-Fi network may be slow and buggy. The second network you connect to may have fewer users and thus less congestion, that will ultimately deliver increased download speeds.
#14. Connect to 5-GHz Wi-Fi for Better Downloads
Here in our office, we have multiple Wi-Fi networks. We have the 5-GHz band as well as 2.4 GHz. If you, too, have such available options, then try to connect to the 5-GHz Wi-Fi network. It will yield better download speeds. But make sure you are not physically too far from the router.
#15. Move your Mac Near the Router
Moving near the router is also a handy and proven way. In case you have a fixed seat, then you may temporarily move to an area near the router for as long as your download is in progress.
#16. Set Your Router Near Your Mac
Do you repeatedly face poor download speeds? It is time to ensure that your Wi-Fi router is not placed in the corner of a room or hall. If your router is in a corner or too far from where you usually sit with your Mac like study table or bed, then try to change the Router's location and place it as near as possible.
#17. Run Wi-Fi Network Diagnostics
Run Wi-Fi Network Diagnostics on your Mac to troubleshoot the Wi-Fi issues that you may be facing.
#18. Change DNS
Changing and configuring your network settings to use Google's Public DNS may also improve your download speeds. If none of the methods above worked for you, then follow the official Google Steps and change DNS.
#19. Ensure Neighbors aren't Enjoying your Wi-Fi
Whenever too many people use your Wi-Fi, it is bound to decrease your download speeds. Set a password for your Wi-Fi network to ensure that it is only you and your family that is using it. Also, if you believe your neighbors know your current Wi-Fi password, change it immediately.
#20. Close Torrent Apps to Increase Downloads Speed
Are you using a Torrent app in the background and downloading something in your Mac's browser? Well, Torrent eats up the bandwidth. To have faster downloads in your browser, quit the Torrent app.
#21. Use Ethernet for Fast Downloads
Wi-Fi has seen various advancements, but still, when it comes to comparison between it and wired Ethernet, the later is faster. So, if your Mac has an Ethernet port, or if you have an Ethernet dongle, try to connect your Mac to it and use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi.
#22. Change Ethernet Cable
Is the Ethernet performing poorly? It can be due to low quality or faulty cable.
When we moved to a new (and bigger) office, I switched to Ethernet. The cable I initially used was giving me around 80Mbps speeds, which was far less than office Wi-Fi (and the speed my broadband company provided). I switched to a different cable, and immediately my download speeds touched 360Mbps. We threw the earlier cable away…
#23. Quit Unused Mac Apps
Are multiple apps and software running in the background on your Mac? Closing apps can also increase your download speed.
#24. Ensure macOS Software Update is not Downloading in Background
If you have automatic macOS updates, then a new version of macOS may be downloading in the background, which you are not aware of. To check and cancel this download and increase your other download speed, follow the steps below.
Step #1. Launch System Preferences by clicking on the Apple Logo and then System Preferences…
Step #2. Click on Software Update and see that nothing is downloading here.
#25. Make Sure App Updates are not Downloading in Background
Open Launchpad and see that no updates are being downloaded. If you notice one, wait for it to finish or cancel the download.
#26. Be on the Latest macOS
To improve the overall performance of your Mac, it is an excellent practice to be on the latest version of macOS.
#27. Split Downloads in Threads
You may use apps or torrent clients that split downloads into threads. This usually speeds up the download process. Folx is one such app that does this job in its premium version.
#28. Browser Updates in the Background
Browsers like Chrome, Firefox, etc. download updates in the background and, in most cases, install it automatically the next time you restart your Browser/Mac. It is effortless, and you do not have to bother about being on the latest and most secure version of your browser.
However, this also means that there may be times when this update is being downloaded. So it is quite likely that for a few minutes, downloads and web browsing inside your browser are slow. But after the updates are downloaded, your speed will resume to normal.
#29. Contact Internet Service Provider
Finally, when nothing works, it is time to contact your internet service provider and ask for his help.
Now, he may change your Wi-Fi router, or change some settings from their end, or ask you to upgrade to a higher and faster plan. Have a word with their representative and request them to address the issue.
Wrapping up…
These were the ways to increase the download speed on your Mac. Now, one last thing that I did not mention above is switching to a newer device. Most new Macs have better Wi-Fi antennas and can provide faster download speeds.
Improved and next-gen hardware also ensures superior download speeds. For a long term solution, you may consider this.
You may also like…
Do you have any additional methods for increasing download speeds on Mac? Share it with us in the comments down below.
Jignesh Padhiyar is the co-founder of iGeeksBlog.com who has a keen eye for news, rumors and all the unusual stuff that happens around Apple products. During his tight schedule, Jignesh finds some moments of respite to share side-splitting contents on social media.
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After the official release of macOS Catalina, millions of Mac users have downloaded this system. However, this updated operating system of Apple comes with its own major or minor glitches. And the biggest toll it takes on speed. But no worries! We have come up with some solutions and tips to speed up your Mac running macOS Catalina.
macOS Catalina Running Slow? 10 Tips to Speed up Your Mac
Quick Links:
In this post, we will reveal 10 tips that helped many Mac users to speed up macOS Catalina. So if you want to speed up your Mac running on macOS Catalina, simply follow these tips right away!
Tip #1. Stop Startup Applications in macOS Catalina
This is the most common issue that every user faces while using Mac or any operating system's laptop or computer. Many of you reading this might not be aware of stopping the applications that get launched right when your Mac starts.
So to speed up your Mac operating system, you need to stop the unnecessary applications that launch when the system starts. Here's how you can close the applications on Mac that launch on startup.
Step #1. Click on the Apple () logo and select System Preferences. Once done, select the Users & Groups option.
Step #2. Now, select the User account and click on Login Items tab in it.
Step #3.Check the box of those items that you want to stop running during startup and click the ‘-‘ button at the bottom of the window. Quit System Preferences and you're all good to go now.
That's how simple it is to speed up the process of macOS Catalina by shutting down those applications that get launched during startup. Most of the problems are solved with this trick itself. But if you're still facing the issue, you can refer to other tips on this list!
#Tip 2. Cleaning Up Mac's Drive
This is yet another common reason why users face Mac is running slow issues. We all know that Mac's hard drive gets filled quickly due to space issues, and with these, the temporary and junk files eat up even more space. To clean up Mac drive means optimizing the drive, which macOS Catalina can do it automatically. Here's how to do it.
Step #1. Click on the Apple () menu from the top left corner of your screen and click on About This Mac.
Step #2. Now select Storage and click on the Manage option from the right.
Step #3. Next, click on Optimize from Optimize Storage section. This will now remove all the old files which you haven't used for a while.
Other options in the list are Store in iCloud, and you can use that as well to store everything in iCloud so that it can free up some space on your Mac. And the reduce clutter option works like charm as it reviews the files that are of no use for you. This way, you can clean up Mac's drive with ease.
Tip #3. Clean-Up System Junk in macOS Catalina
The junk files or the temporary files are the most useless files that eat up space, and moreover, they slow down the macOS Catalina process on your MacBook. These junk files also include the cache, which even slows down your system. So here's how to remove it.
Step #1. First off, open Finder.
Step #2. Then head over to Go option from the top menu and click on Go to Folder.
Step #3. Now type ~/library/caches/in the folder box and click on Go or press Enter. This will open a window of all junk files, simply select all files and Move to Bin in Folder settings. That's it! It will delete all the junk files.
Make sure that no process is stopped or no application has stopped working. If everything works fine, empty the bin to clean up those cache files forever! You can also try some of the Mac cleaner apps if you want to automate the process.
Tip #4. Disable Apps that Use More Power on Mac
If you're still unable to solve macOS Catalina is running slow issue, then you must try to disable apps that are using more power, and you aren't using those apps. There are a lot of such apps that aren't used by you but running in the background and eating up the maximum power and CPU or RAM as well.
Such apps have to be force quit to speed up the system. The same works with Windows OS users as well. So here's how to disable apps that use more power on your macOS Catalina.
Step #1. Launch Finder and click on Applications.
Step #2. Next click Utilities. Now, double click on the Activity Monitor option to open the list of applications.
Step #3. Select any application and click on ‘X'from the top left corner of the screen.
If it still doesn't work, simply tap on Force Quit.
You can check the apps that use more power, CPU, memory, network speed, etc. and disable the apps which you feel are slowing down your Mac.
Speed Up For Macbook Air
Tip #5. Reduce Motion & Transparency on Mac
If you have already updated your Mac to the latest version of macOS Catalina, you might have already witnessed a significant change in the system concerning the brightness and transparency. These display features such as transparency and motion eat up a lot of memory and speed of the OS, leaving less space for the system to operate.
So you need to reduce the motion and transparency both to speed up your macOS Catalina system.
Step #1. Launch System Preferences and click on Accessibility.
Step #2. Now, go to the Display option and then check the boxes that are next to Reduce Motion and Reduce Transparency both.
Of course, this might not show a major impact, but every single thing matters when your Mac is slowing down. To be honest, I wouldn't disable it as it's one of the best features of macOS Catalina I have experienced till now!
Tip #6. Is your Mac Compatible with macOS Catalina?
If you're unsure whether your Mac is compatible with macOS Catalina or not, you must check this as your first task in the process of speeding up your Mac. The Macs that were built before 2012 or even some of them before 2013 are not compatible with macOS Catalina.
Of course, they might run the OS completely, but it might not work well, and you might face unusual issues on your Mac. Here's the list of complete devices that are compatible with macOS Catalina. A few of them which are to be noted are listed below.
- Mac Mini (Late 2012 or later)
- iMac (2012 or later)
- MacBook Pro (2012 or later)
- MacBook Air (2012 or later)
- Mac Pro (2013 or later)
- MacBook (2015 and later)
- iMac Pro (2017 or later)
So if you're using any other Mac, which is older than these models, you need to switch back to macOS Mojave to get your system working right!
Tip #7. Use Safe Mode on Mac Running on macOS Catalina
Using safe mode fixes a lot of above-given problems like stopping startup applications, fixing any startup problems or errors, fixing any system errors, and a lot more!
To turn on the safe mode on your Mac, start up your Mac and hold on the shift key. Hold on until you see the login window or the desktop on your Mac. This will now put your Mac into the safe mode, and you can see the same on the top right corner of the Mac if you've entered the safe mode.
This can fix a lot of issues as it doesn't boot the Mac normally and gets directly into the safe mode.
Tip #8. Restart Your Mac at Regular Intervals.
The modern Macs are designed in such a way that they can run without shutting it down completely, and this is possible because of the low power sleep mode, which doesn't eat up power.
But little did you know that when you shut down the Mac completely, and restart, it wipes all the temporary files and clears up the RAM and this indirectly boosts your macOS Catalina speed. So make sure that you shut down your Mac at regular intervals.
Tip #9. Update Apps Regularly in macOS Catalina on Mac
Updating your apps regularly keeps the macOS Catalina running smoothly. Sometimes, the outdated apps aren't supported by the latest OS systems. So you need to keep your Mac apps updated regularly and always have an eye if the system is running too slow.
Tip #10. Adding More RAM to Mac
Speed Up For Mac Computers
If there isn't any option or tip from the above list working to speed up macOS Catalina, the final option is to add more RAM to your Mac. Sometimes, it's not the software that causes the slowdown, but many times, there are hardware issues as well.
In case your Mac has slots to add extra RAM and if you can afford it, see it as a worthy investment rather than taking it as an expense. This is because it will eventually speed up your macOS Catalina, and you'll be productive, resulting in accomplishing more work.
Never fall for the apps or devices that claim they can speed up your Mac. Most of them are either scams or the virus that may even ruin your system completely. So simply upgrade your Macs RAM and enjoy the speedy system later on!
Speed Up Mac For Free
That's it for today, folks!
Summing Up…
So these were some of the tips that will surely help you in speeding up your Mac that's running on macOS Catalina. We hope that these tips are already working for you, isn't it? If not, let us know the issues you're facing in the comment section below, and we will get back to you with the best possible solution on a quick note!
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Suraj is a digital marketing expert on the iGB's team. He contributes to the social media section along with tips and tricks for iPhone, Apple Watch. Apart from blogging, he likes to work out as much as he can in his gym and love to listening to retro music.
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