Slow Mac
Slow start-up, the spinning colour wheel, freezing, or a browser that crawls. We look at what is running and what is using space.
Independent Help with Your Mac, $100 CAD Flat
Mac running slowly? Storage full? Setting up a new Mac? We help over the phone and the internet, at your pace, with your permission. Anywhere in Canada and the United States.
Call (236) 258-3060 Email info@clearpinetech.ca
Monday – Friday, 8 am – 8 pm Pacific Time (Mountain 9 am – 9 pm, Central 10 am – 10 pm, Eastern 11 am – 11 pm, Atlantic 12 pm – 12 am). Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Clearpine Technologies is an independent support provider and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorised service provider of Apple. Brand names are trademarks of their respective owners. For free manufacturer support, contact the manufacturer directly.
What we help with
Common Mac problems
Plain steps, no rush. You can ask us to repeat anything.
Storage full
Finding what is filling your Mac, moving photos to iCloud or an external drive, and clearing out what you no longer need.
macOS updates
Updates that will not start or will not finish, and checking whether your Mac is too old for the newest macOS.
New Mac setup
Signing in with your Apple ID, using Migration Assistant to bring over files and apps, and setting up email, printer and Wi-Fi.
Backups
Setting up Time Machine with an external drive, and checking that you can actually get a file back.
Printers, Wi-Fi and email
Adding a printer, reconnecting to Wi-Fi, and setting up the Mail app with your email accounts.
Try it yourself first
Slow Mac: what to check
Menu names can differ a little between macOS versions. If these do not help, call us.
- Restart it. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then Restart. Many Macs are never restarted for weeks, which can cause slowness.
- Check free space. Apple menu, System Settings, General, Storage. If the bar is nearly full, the Mac slows down. Try to keep at least 10 to 15 percent free.
- Look at Login Items. System Settings, General, Login Items. Switch off programs you do not use that start with your Mac.
- See what is busy. Open Activity Monitor (search for it with Command + Space). Click the CPU or Memory tab and look for one program using far more than the rest. Quit it if you do not need it.
- Close extra browser tabs. Dozens of open tabs use a lot of memory.
- Check for updates. System Settings, General, Software Update. Plug the Mac in first, and use a steady Wi-Fi connection.
- Be careful with "cleaner" apps. Pop-ups saying your Mac is infected or needs a clean-up are a common trick. Do not click them. See virus, pop-up and scam clean-up help.
More general steps are on our computer help page. For Apple ID or email trouble, see email and account help.
Good to know
Things that are specific to Macs
Apple ID. Your Apple ID is your account for iCloud, the App Store and Find My. Keep the password and any recovery details somewhere safe. We cannot reset it for you; only Apple can.
Older Macs. Apple stops supporting older models after a number of years. An older Mac may not be able to install the newest macOS or newest apps. That is Apple's limit, not a fault.
Remote tool. We connect to a Mac with LogMeIn. You start it, you see everything we do, and you can end it at any time.
What remote support cannot do
- Repair hardware faults such as a failing drive, a broken screen or a battery that will not hold a charge
- Unlock a Mac or an Apple ID when you no longer have the password or recovery details
- Make a very old Mac run the newest macOS
We will tell you honestly if the problem looks like hardware. If we can't fix the problem remotely, there is no charge.
Questions
Mac help FAQ
My Mac is running slowly. What can I try first?
Restart it from the Apple menu, then check free space in System Settings, General, Storage. A nearly full drive is a common cause. Also look at System Settings, General, Login Items for programs that start with the Mac and that you do not use. If it is still slow, call us and we will look at it with you.
How do I move my files and photos to a new Mac?
Apple has a free tool called Migration Assistant that can copy files, apps and settings from an old Mac or a backup. It works best when both Macs are on the same Wi-Fi or connected with a cable. We can guide you through it step by step, or copy just your documents and photos if you prefer a fresh start.
My Mac says the storage is full. What can I delete safely?
Start with the Downloads folder, the Trash, and large videos you have already backed up. System Settings, General, Storage shows what is using space. Please do not delete files you do not recognise inside system folders. We can go through it with you and check that your photos are backed up first.
My Mac says it needs an update, or an update will not finish. Can you help?
Often yes. Updates can stall when the Mac is low on space, on weak Wi-Fi, or not plugged in. We can check those basics with you. Very old Macs may not be able to run the newest macOS; that is Apple's limit and we cannot change it.
I forgot my Apple ID password or my Mac password. Can you reset it?
We cannot reset it for you. Only Apple can verify who you are. We can show you where Apple's own recovery steps are and help you through them, so the new password is saved somewhere safe.
How much does remote Mac help cost?
A one-time remote support session is a flat $100 CAD, available anywhere in Canada and the United States. If we can't fix the problem remotely, there is no charge. Prices are in Canadian dollars; your card company converts the amount to US dollars at its exchange rate.
Are you Apple support?
No. Clearpine Technologies is an independent support provider and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorised service provider of Apple. For free manufacturer support, contact Apple directly.
Price, hours and safety
$100 CAD flat, in Canada and the USA
Prices are in Canadian dollars; your card company converts the amount to US dollars at its exchange rate. No charge if we can't fix the problem remotely. We accept all major credit and debit cards. The $100 CAD fee covers up to two remote sessions for the same problem.
Support hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 8 pm Pacific Time (Mountain 9 am – 9 pm, Central 10 am – 10 pm, Eastern 11 am – 11 pm, Atlantic 12 pm – 12 am). Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Our number is in British Columbia, Canada. Calls from the US are dialed like any US number; check with your phone provider about long-distance charges.
How we keep you safe
We never call, text or email you first. We never show pop-up warnings. We never ask for payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency. Remote sessions happen only with your permission, and you can end the session at any time.
Mac trouble? Call (236) 258-3060
$100 CAD flat for a remote session, anywhere in Canada and the United States. Only with your permission.
Monday – Friday, 8 am – 8 pm Pacific Time. Prices are in Canadian dollars; your card company converts the amount to US dollars at its exchange rate.
Clearpine Technologies is an independent support provider and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorised service provider of Apple. Brand names are trademarks of their respective owners. For free manufacturer support, contact the manufacturer directly.