Summary of "Hands-On Apple 195: Slow Mac Startup Speeds"

Released on August 14, 2025, "Hands-On Apple 195: Slow Mac Startup Speeds" is an insightful episode hosted by Micah Sargent on the TWiT.tv network. This episode delves into the common issue of slow startup times on Mac computers, offering comprehensive troubleshooting steps and expert advice to enhance system performance.

Introduction to Slow Mac Startups

[02:13] Micah Sargent opens the discussion by addressing the prevalent frustration among Mac users experiencing delayed startup times. He identifies that recent macOS updates, such as macOS Sequoia, might contribute to these slowdowns and sets the stage for exploring various solutions.

"Today we are taking a look at something that I have seen people complaining about slow startup speeds..."
— Micah Sargent [02:13]

Managing Login Items

Micah emphasizes the importance of managing applications that automatically launch during startup, as these can significantly impact the boot time.

• Accessing Login Items:
  He guides users to System Settings > General > Login Items and Extensions to review and manage applications set to open at login.

• Removing Unnecessary Apps:
  Users are encouraged to remove apps they don’t need at startup by selecting the app and clicking the minus icon.

• Background Allowance:
  Beneath the login items, the "Allow in the background" option controls services that run invisibly. Micah advises keeping essential apps like Adobe Suite or Google Chrome active in the background to prevent system disruptions.

"If you have the Adobe Suite or you have Google Chrome... I would recommend leaving those options alone..."
— Micah Sargent [04:45]

Using Terminal for Advanced Management

For users seeking deeper control, Micah introduces Terminal commands to manage login items more effectively.

• Listing Login Items:
  By typing launchctl list, users can view all processes set to start at login, distinguishing between Apple processes (com.apple.*) and third-party applications like Zoom or 1Password.

• Removing Login Items via Terminal:
  To remove an unwanted startup item, the command launchctl remove [identifier] is used. This method is particularly useful when certain launch items don’t appear in the System Settings.

"If you're having trouble getting it to remove using the Login items option, you can head into the terminal and do a remove from there."
— Micah Sargent [07:30]

Exploring Launch Agents and Daemons

Micah explains how to identify and remove persistent background services that may not be visible through standard settings.

• Accessing Launch Agents and Daemons:
  Using Finder’s "Go to Folder" feature (Shift + Command + G), navigate to ~/Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons to inspect and delete unnecessary agents or daemons.

• User-Specific Launch Agents:
  Additional user-specific agents can be found in ~library/launchagents, where applications like Clean My Mac or Backblaze might reside.

"This is how you would get rid of it. Goodbye."
— Micah Sargent [10:15]

Reindexing Spotlight

Spotlight indexing issues can cause startup delays. Micah provides a step-by-step guide to reindex Spotlight using Terminal.

• Initiating Reindexing:
  The command sudo mdutil -E / is used to erase and rebuild the Spotlight index. Users must enter their administrator password to execute this command.

• Verifying Index Status:
  After reindexing, sudo mdutil -s / confirms the indexing status, ensuring that Spotlight is functioning correctly.

"Reindexing Spotlight can sometimes solve those hangups when it comes to the speed of the system."
— Micah Sargent [14:50]

Clearing System Caches

Clearing cached files can free up system resources and improve startup times.

• Navigating to Caches:
  Through Finder's "Go to Folder", access ~/Library/Caches and /Library/Caches to delete unnecessary cached files. This process may require administrator permissions.

"Removing these cached files can sometimes help if you're still getting a slow machine after you've done the options up to now."
— Micah Sargent [17:30]

Adjusting Visual Effects

For older Macs, reducing visual effects can alleviate processor strain during startup.

• Reducing Motion and Transparency:
  In System Settings > Accessibility > Display, users can toggle "Reduce motion" and "Reduce transparency" to minimize graphical load.

• Changing Minimize Effects:
  Switching from the Genie effect to the Scale effect in System Settings > Desktop & Dock reduces the animation complexity.

"Disabling visual effects can relieve some of the pressure on your processor, leading to quicker startup times."
— Micah Sargent [19:45]

Conclusion and Final Recommendations

Micah summarizes the multi-step approach to enhancing Mac startup speeds:

1. Clean Up Login Items: Remove unnecessary applications from auto-start.
2. Use Terminal for Advanced Control: Manage stubborn login items via command line.
3. Inspect Launch Agents and Daemons: Delete unneeded background services.
4. Reindex Spotlight: Refresh Spotlight’s index to prevent search-related slowdowns.
5. Clear System Caches: Free up space by deleting cached files.
6. Adjust Visual Effects: Optimize display settings to reduce system load.

He encourages listeners to implement these strategies incrementally, testing performance improvements at each step. Micah also invites feedback and personal experiences from users seeking further assistance.

"There are some suggestions for you if you have noticed a slowdown in startup. I would love to hear about it."
— Micah Sargent [21:00]

Note: This summary excludes promotional segments and non-content sections to focus solely on the technical discussions relevant to resolving slow Mac startup speeds.