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Sequoia 15.2 upgrade causing a very sluggish machine.

I cannot open most apps after and pre Sequoia 15.2 upgrade and a reinstall of the OS too. It's back to being slooooow very much like Sonoma did. It feels like tow years of fighting the Mac, something we always seem to be doing with a PC!

iMac 21.5″, macOS 15.2

Posted on Dec 13, 2024 3:12 AM

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Posted on Jan 2, 2025 6:18 AM

I was running the Sequoia in the old version and it was fine. But in the 15.2 update it's very sluggish. Browser took more time to open, IntelliJ is slow on completions, also with 16GB ram I've noticed a increase in the memory swap.

I have an MBP M2 PRO, the early versions of sequoia were fine, but this one is so slow, probably because of the useless "Apple version of the microsoft copilot" that is so irrelevant that I don't know the name.


When I have some time I'll probably downgrade to Sonoma, but that's very frustrating because I'll have to setup all my working env again and also more frustrating, because nobody asked for a "Copilot" (I don't remember the name) version on Mac machines

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Jan 2, 2025 6:18 AM in response to Jonah82

I was running the Sequoia in the old version and it was fine. But in the 15.2 update it's very sluggish. Browser took more time to open, IntelliJ is slow on completions, also with 16GB ram I've noticed a increase in the memory swap.

I have an MBP M2 PRO, the early versions of sequoia were fine, but this one is so slow, probably because of the useless "Apple version of the microsoft copilot" that is so irrelevant that I don't know the name.


When I have some time I'll probably downgrade to Sonoma, but that's very frustrating because I'll have to setup all my working env again and also more frustrating, because nobody asked for a "Copilot" (I don't remember the name) version on Mac machines

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Dec 17, 2024 5:33 PM in response to Jonah82

I still have Sonoma , today nothing works on both my 2021 desktop as well as my MacBook . It’s so frustrating cause i can’t do my work when nothing is working!! Apple fock the AI just get it working plzzz !! Not a fan of AI anyways!!!

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Dec 14, 2024 7:26 AM in response to Jonah82

Jonah82 wrote:

Yes. It took months for Apple to provide a version that solved the issues. Etrecheck does not report any major issues. The install needed safe mode to work and three reboots.
A - Technically, Safe Boot is not a recently issued fix . It has been around for Years. It is one of the First Trouble Shooting methods to identify issues on the computer. It just took the user years to discover just what it can fix
It took over five hours.
A - Five hours to perform a SaFe Boot ?
A simple app like Textedit refuses to load in this scenario.
A - That in and of itself ir a very good indication of some serious issues that do exist on this computer . TextEdit is such a Basic application that should, by rights, require next to no computer resources
A - Not providing the Etrecheck report, sometimes but not always, is also an indicator that the user is aware of certain Types Third Party Applications that are installed and not well received on these forums would the revealed
A - Should you decide at a later time to Post the report. We are reasonable certain someone may or may not have a good look at it and offer suggestions / insights


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Dec 18, 2024 7:23 AM in response to Stevenleprev

Stevenleprev wrote:

Is there any way to make 15.2 faster?
My system is almost unworkable

As others have done, you would need to provide the free EtreCheck report to see what is slowing your computer down.

How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community


There are some categories of apps that have been seen to slow the computer down and are not recommended to be installed:

  • Cleaners
  • Optimizers (Drive or RAM)
  • AntiVirus
  • VPN - Unless used specifically for a work environment.
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Dec 17, 2024 5:46 PM in response to lbc7

lbc7 wrote:

I still have Sonoma , today nothing works on both my 2021 desktop as well as my MacBook . It’s so frustrating cause i can’t do my work when nothing is working!! Apple fock the AI just get it working plzzz !! Not a fan of AI anyways!!!

It is unclear what the issue is that you are having. If nothing works and your Mac is not able to start up, then it will likely need diagnostic done by Apple by scheduling an appointment. If you can start the Mac up, then posting the free EtreCheck report as the OP did is the best way to see if there is anything conflicting on startup.

How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community


The other option is to reset to Factory Settings, but you will want to make sure you have a solid backup first.

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Jan 11, 2025 7:33 AM in response to Globet

Your current beach balling issue is with McAfee and has nothing to do with RAM. I agree with your assessment on purchasing the machine with the most amount of RAM you can afford and you are fine with your 64GB machine. No amount of RAM is going to prevent the beach balling due to using McAfee software. In fact you can expect them with any of these types of apps too:

  • Cleaners (such as CleanMyMac)
  • Optimizers
  • AntiVirus
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Dec 16, 2024 3:29 AM in response to Jonah82

Respectfully, from a senior to another senior.


No one was cheated. It’s up to the buyer to do their due diligence before purchasing.


Apple computers have changed over the years. Some can’t have RAM or internal drive upgrades after purchase because newer computers have these components soldered to the logicboard.


Here’s the disk information:


- disk0: APPLE HDD HTS541010A9E632 1.00 TB (Mechanical - 5400 RPM)


- disk0s2 [APFS Fusion Drive] 1000.00 GB


- disk1: APPLE SSD SM0032L 28.00 GB (Solid State - TRIM: Yes)


The computer is running out of free space.


System extensions:


- DuckDuckGo VPN Network Extension - version 1.115.0 (Duck Duck Go, Inc. - installed 2024-11-27)


- Surfshark (App Store - installed 2024-11-06)


Running a VPN and Surfshark.


Commercial VPNs may not be as they seem.


https://gist.github.com/joepie91/5a9909939e6ce7d09e29

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Dec 16, 2024 1:37 PM in response to PRP_53

I run a 2019 iMac 3.6 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9 with 64 GB 2667 MHz DDR4 and "pure" SSD, and haven't had any noticeable negative impact through the various OS versions. I did however experience a problem when I installed Sequoia. 15.1 - my Time Machine started to play up. I back up via Ethernet to an 8TB Synology NAS (specifically to a 4TB Volume dedicated to the backup). I started getting warnings that the available drive space was becoming critical, and then backups began to fail. None of the usual steps helped, and two sessions with Apple support didn't get anywhere. Eventually I tried completely erasing the TM backup (I have a secondary backup to a portable SSD) and started from scratch, but that didm't work. I got back to Apple today, the tech read through the previous case notes, and came back within a few minutes and told me to update to 15.2 - he said that I could get back to him of it didn't work but was pretty sure it'd be OK, so I guess it's been an issue for others. So far it's working perfectly. I hope it stays that way because I'm awaiting delivery of a new. Studio M2 and display, and I'd prefer not to migrate to the new kit with an outstanding problem.

Just wondered if anyone has had similar issues?


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Jan 11, 2025 2:10 PM in response to Jonah82

It's difficult to know what's necessary and unnecessary with all of the advertisement out there. They are selling whether you need it or not.


Unless you're using a true VPN tunnel, such as between you and your employer's, school's or bank's servers, they provide false security from a privacy standpoint.  Read these articles:  Pubic VPN's are anything but public and Security Risks: The Dangers of Using Free VPNs (eccu.edu).  


Uninstall the two items mentioned earlier according to the developers' instructions. You can check to see if you've removed all of the supporting files by downloading and running the shareware app Find Any File to search for any files with the application's or the developer's name in the file name.  For the software mentioned you'd do the following search(es): 


1 - Name contains vpn

2 - Name contains surf shark


Any files that are found can be dragged from the search results window to the Desktop or Trash bin in the Dock for deletion.


FAF can search areas that Spotlight can't like invisible folders, system folders and packages.  


If you get warnings that the file can't be deleted because it is in use or used by another app boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and delete from there.


Note:  if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode.  This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will assure a successful boot into Safe Mode.


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Dec 15, 2024 1:48 AM in response to Jonah82

Here is the suggested Etrecheck Report.


EtreCheckPro version: 6.8.7 (68068)

Report generated: 2024-12-15 00:47:52

Download EtreCheckPro from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime: 8:00


Performance: Below Average


Problem: Apps are crashing

Description: 

Reported to Apple Community but Sequoia 15.2 update took a long time 

to update my iMac 2019,6GHz 6-core i5, Radeon Pro 560X 4GB, 8GB 2667 M

Hz DDR4

It had to be in safe boot mode to install as it failed three times.


Major Issues:

    Anything that appears on this list needs immediate attention. 


    Time Machine backup out-of-date - The last Time Machine backup is over 10 days old.


Minor Issues:

    These issues do not need immediate attention but they may indicate future problems or opportunities for improvement. 


    Apps crashing - There have been numerous app crashes.

    Apps hanging - There have been numerous app hangs.

    Apps with heavy CPU usage - There have been numerous cases of apps with heavy CPU usage.

    Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed. These files could be old, incompatible, and cause problems. They should be reviewed.

    Low performance - EtreCheck report took an unusually long time to run.

    Sharing enabled - This computer has sharing services enabled that could be a security risk.


Hardware Information:

    iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)

        Status: Supported

    iMac Model: iMac19,2

    3 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i5 (i5-8500) CPU: 6-core

    8 GB RAM - Upgradeable by an Apple Authorized Service Provider

        BANK 0/ChannelA-DIMM0 - 4 GB DDR4 2667 

        BANK 2/ChannelB-DIMM0 - 4 GB DDR4 2667 



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Jan 11, 2025 1:30 AM in response to Globet

Globet wrote:

[...] On my 2019 iMac I went with 64GB, and I haven't had any obvious sluggishness right through to Sequoia 15.2 (except for some operations with McAfee LiveSafe - long periods of "beachballing").

Your beachballing is probably caused by the very McAfee LiveSafe app that you installed. I suggest that you read this thread: Recommendations on using Security softwar… - Apple Community


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Dec 14, 2024 4:50 AM in response to Jonah82

Is the user using a iMac 2019 that was previously running Sonoma that was sluggish prior to updating to Sonoma ?


A 2019 iMacs can come with a Fusion Drive or also an ALL SSD Drive configuration


Fusion Drives are good for Additional Storage but at the expense of a negative performs hit especially when running under Sonoma or Sequoia


These versions of macOS are really specifically engineered to run at tip top performance on SSD Drives


Anyways, all this information would show up in the Etrecheck report if you care to run and share this report


Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon  <<<<



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Dec 14, 2024 5:59 AM in response to Jonah82

It depends on what processor you are running, also how much RAM you have installed and what apps you are running in the background. I always have found that as Apple updates and adds software the hardware has a harder time processing it thus the sluggish performance of the Mac. After updating the OS there will be a time that the make will be slow since Spotlight probably reindexing.

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Sequoia 15.2 upgrade causing a very sluggish machine.

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