How To Speed Up macOS Monterey

The macOS Monterey version is the latest major update released by Apple. While new versions often come with exciting features and improvements, the constantly expanding functionality could start to exercise an unbearable toll on older systems. 

More specifically, if the old Mac doesn't have sufficient RAM or disk space to accommodate the optimal operations of the macOS Monterey version. Common symptoms that your device might be struggling, include the surface of the Mac getting uncomfortably hotter, the fan producing an uncharacteristically loud noise, and applications, tabs, or pages becoming unresponsive. To boost the performance of your Mac and speed it up, you can try the following suggestions:

Check for macOS updates

In the days following such a major release, many unexpected issues, bugs, or glitches can be discovered. As such, it is common for a series of patches addressing the problems to be released. So, it might be worth it to check for updates.

1. Go to the Apple menu.
2. Select 'About this Mac.'
3. Click on 'Software Update.'
4. If any updates are available, install them.

Free up your Desktop

On macOS, the Desktop is treated with priority, so if you are in the habit of dropping all file kinds there to find them more easily later on, it could impact the performance of the system. Consider cleaning it up and keeping only the important items.

1. Go to your Desktop by pressing Fn + F11 on your keyboard, or just F11.
2. Delete any unnecessary large files or forgotten screenshots, photos, etc. 
3. Use Stacks to clean the Desktop by going to Finder, opening the View menu, and choosing 'Use Stacks.'

Update your applications

The introduction of major releases such as macOS Monterey could cause incompatibility issues with older applications. The developers of the malfunctioning applications could try to fix the situation through updates and patches. So, if a specific application you use has suddenly started freezing, crashing, or simply not running optimally, check for an update. 

Reset the SMC (System Management Controller)

1. Turn off your Mac and disconnect the power cable.
2. Wait for approximately 15 seconds.
3. Connect the power cable.
4. Now, press and hold Shift + Control + Option and the Power button simultaneously for at least 10 secs.
5. Release the buttons and start the Mac.

Reduce visual effects and transparency

While the new visuals look great, they might be a bit much for older devices to handle. To reduce the strain on your Mac's CPU and GPU, follow the steps:

1. Go to the Apple menu and select 'System Preferences.'
2. Select the 'Accessibility' pane.
3. Select 'Display.'
4. Locate the options 'Reduce motion' and 'Reduce transparency,' and check their corresponding boxes.
5. Close 'System Preferences.'

Free up disk space

To run smoothly, macOS Monterey requires a minimum of 60GB of disk space. To free up some space you can try using the Optimized Storage feature. 

1. Go to the Apple menu.
2. Select 'About this Mac.'
3. Pick 'Storage.'
4. Select 'Manage.'

Keep in mind that the Optimize Storage pane doesn't show cache or other residual files. While small individually, these files can pile up and start to take significant disk space. Consider removing them as well.