Struggling with slow Mac performance? This post shows you how to increase SSD speed on Mac with proven methods like storage cleanup. Boost read/write speeds with the step-by-step guide.
Is your Mac SSD getting slow? You're not alone. Some Mac users notice SSD slow read and write speed on their Macs. The most common reasons for slow SSD speed include insufficient storage, outdated software, or inefficient disk management. This guide shows you how to increase SSD speed on Mac and improve your Mac's performance. Before you solve this problem, you can use an all-in-one tool to check your Mac's SSD performance.
🧑🏿💻User case: I don't know if this is a Monterey or MacBook Pro issue, but the external SSD speed when actually using it is agonisingly slow. This SSD is no slowpoke either, with speeds of up to 1000MB/s and 1050MB/s in read/write. - From a Reddit user in r/macbookpro.
An optimized SSD is the backbone of your Mac's performance. But when SSD speed lags, you'll notice frustrating delays: Finder stutters, apps take ages to open. There is a growing need for SSD optimization as Macs handle heavier workloads like 4K video editing or AI-driven tasks.
Even though SSDs are faster and more reliable than HDDs, they may encounter performance drops. Common reasons your Mac SSD slows down include:
How do you know if your SSD is slowing down? When your Mac's SSD performance is down, you may notice longer boot times, slow app opening, or frequent system lags. Running an SSD speed test can confirm performance drops.
If you want to check the SSD speed on a Mac, the easiest way is to use a professional disk speed testing tool. EaseUS Partition Master for Mac helps test accurate SSD read and write speeds. It is easy to use and works on all macOS. With Partition Master for Mac, you can also know your SSD lifespan.
Here is how to check SSD speed on Mac with EaseUS Partition Master for Mac.
Step 1. Launch EaseUS Partition Master for Mac and select "Speed Test" on the left panel.
Step 2. Click on the drop-down box to select a target drive, test data, and block size.
Step 3. Then, click on the "Start" button to begin the disk speed test.
Step 4. Wait a few seconds, and you will get the Sequential or Random read/write speed, I/O, and Delay data.
Here's a quick comparison for healthy vs. slow SSD speed (Just for a reference):
| Metric | Healthy SSD | Slow SSD |
| Read Speed | SATA: 450–550 MB/s NVMe: 1500–7000 MB/s | SATA: <300 MB/s NVMe: <1000 MB/s |
| Write Speed | SATA: 400–500 MB/s NVMe: 1200–3000 MB/s | SATA: <250 MB/s NVMe: <800 MB/s |
| Free Space | ≥10–20% | <10% |
| TRIM Enabled | ✅ Yes | ❌ No / Disabled |
If you want to know Mac SSD speeds, refer to the guide on Mac SSD speeds shared by a Reddit user.
Before diving into fixes, you can check your SSD speed on Mac with EaseUS Partition Master for Mac. Also, read our Editorial Guidelines and learn why you can trust this post.
If your SSD is running slowly, it's time to optimize. Here are seven ways to increase SSD speed on your Mac.
SSD performance is greatly affected by storage space. Avoid filling your SSD completely. Try to maintain at least 10% free space for better performance.
If your SSD is full, you can:
Outdated software can lower SSD performance. For Mac SSD, firmware is often updated automatically with macOS updates. Always keep your Mac updated via Software Update. To update macOS:
Go to System Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest updates.
TRIM improves SSD efficiency by clearing unused blocks. TRIM for Apple SSDs is often enabled on Macs. For third-party SSDs, you can follow the steps to enable TRIM.
How to enable TRIM on Mac:
Step 1. Open Terminal.
Step 2. Type 'sudo trimforce enable' and press Enter.
Step 3. Press Enter, then input your admin password.
Step 4. Confirm the prompts, and your Mac will reboot.
Too many login items slow down boot speed on Mac. Remove unnecessary apps to remove unnecessary startup apps:
System Settings > General > Login Items.
Clearing cache and junk files on a Mac can help improve SSD performance. Browser cache, system junk, and temporary files pile up over time. You can clean them manually or use optimization tools for Mac. Here is how to clear cache files on Mac.
Step 1. Open Finder and click Go > Go to Folder in the menu bar.
Step 2. Type '/Library/Caches' to access cache files.
Step 3. Delete cache files and restart your Mac.
Resetting the System Management Controller can help resolve hardware-related performance issues.
Steps to Reset SMC: Shut down, then press Shift + Control + Option + Power for 10 seconds, then restart.
Please check SSD health and prevent failures before they slow down your Mac. For optimizing SSD performance, EaseUS Partition Master for Mac stands out in 2025. Unlike Apple's Disk Utility (limited to basic repairs), EaseUS offers advanced partitioning, speed testing, and disk health scans in an intuitive interface. It's trusted for boosting SSD read/write speeds by up to 50%.
🚀Why Choose EaseUS?
Share this post with your friends to help them increase SSD speed on Mac.
It is disappointing that SSD performance is down on Mac. By freeing up storage, managing startup items, updating macOS, disabling unnecessary features, and resetting hardware, you can restore your SSD's speed for free. For next-level performance, EaseUS Partition Master for Mac is the go-to tool. It helps partition, test speed, and fix health problems for your Mac.
Yes, with a 4.5/5 rating and preview modes, it ensures safe partitioning and optimization.
With proper optimization (e.g., 25% free space, EaseUS tools), expect 20–50% speed boosts.
Yes, balanced partitions (via EaseUS) optimize free space, reducing I/O bottlenecks.
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