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Clean your Mac from garbage files (temporary, duplicates, caches, etc.). Limit the number of apps that launch on startup without your permission. Reboot your Mac every time you want to free up memory and setup system updates. Remember that the latest OS X versions allow performing better as.

• Different from the Windows system, the macOS doesn’t provide a built-in feature to defrag the Mac. So, if you really want to defrag a Mac, you can use a third-party program. But remember that you need to back up your Mac data first before defragging a Mac.
• If you use a Mac, then you probably don't need to manually defragment, since OS X will do it automatically for you (at least for small files). However, sometimes defragging—particularly if you have.
• DiskTools Pro is available for $79.99. This is the ultimate system optimization tool.

Sep 28, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions

At some point, it is common that your system becomes slow. Whether you have the latest Mac system or an old one, experiencing performance issues are common. Most people know how to defrag the Windows system but the Mac File system isn't designed like Windows. Thus, if you feel like you need to defrag Mac, then you still have some other options.

Here, we will discuss in detail how you defrag a Mac and why do you need it. Along with the process, we will also look for some alternatives to defragging.

Part 1. Overview of Defragmenting Mac

Defragment is the process where scattered files from the storage are organized. It erases the gaps from the files and stores them as a single whole part in the same location. In simple words, defragging Mac hard drive moves everything in order and fills the holes which exist while using the files. Ultimately, defragmentation saves time to search and read the files thereby improving the performance of your system.

Do You Need to Defrag Mac?

In general, Mac doesn't need defragmentation. It is due to the fact that the Mac OS X version after 10.2 has a different file system than Windows. Apple uses the HFS+ format which has a special function of Hot File Adaptive Clustering. This function works merely to automatically prevent fragmentation in the drive in the first place. As a result, there is not much need to defrag MacBook manually.

It is rare but maybe at some point, you might need it. Once in a few years, you might have to defrag Mac during the update, upgrade, installation, or reinstallation of some software.

When to Defrag MacBook Pro?

The one and only exception when you surely need to defrag MacBook Pro is when the storage space is left only 10%. Once that much storage space is occupied, the Mac OS won't be able to perform automatic defragmentation. Thus, you will have to consider either removing extra and useless files or expanding the storage so that your Mac system performance won't decline.

So, either you have to go through defragmentation or remove some of the big files from your Mac.

Part 2. How to Defragment Mac?

This is a matter of concern as there is not a particular tool on the Mac system that can tell you how to defrag a MacBook. But you can rely on third-party tools for that if you want to. Here, we are providing you top-listed tools for defragmenting in case you need them.

Solution 1. MacKeeper:

This tool is specially designed so that the performance of your Mac system can be improved significantly. Even though it is popular for its cleaning features of removing unused and redundant files, it can also help to defrag Mac computer.

The performance improvement features make sure that the disk is fragmented to maximize the space. As a result, Mac works better. These tools also have other useful features like restore, undelete, backup, and remote tracking too in case your Mac gets stolen.

Solution 2. iDefrag:

For Mac OS defragment disk, you can rely on iDefrag to work efficiently. It is a useful tool to defrag and optimize your computer. You just have to reboot your computer and the software will provide you options to defrag the system. With this software, you will be able to defrag the whole drive easily. It can even perform selective defragmentation. Along with this, the software is simple, organized, and improved so you don't have to struggle to learn how to operate it.

Solution 3. DiskTools Pro:

One of the best tools that can tell you how to defrag MacBook Pro is DiskTools Pro. The software has three main features, i.e. defrag, backup, and repair. This software makes the repair and maintenance of the Mac system easy and fast. There is a bundle of tools for other tasks too which include creating a bootable disk, fixing bad sectors, test disk integrity, analyze drive capacity, and so much more.

There are lots of other tools too which can help you to defrag Mac as quickly as possible so you don't have to compromise with your work.

Part 3. Some Facts About Defragging Mac

If you are experiencing performance issues with your Mac and you are considering defragging Mac, then you should know a few facts about it. Here, we are giving you proper knowledge and facts to begin:

1. Keep in mind that only hard drives require defragging. If your Mac has a Solid State Drive, then there is no need for defragging Mac.
2. There is no need to defrag Mac regularly. The OS X already writes the small files in one batch so that you don't have to put in efforts for defragmentation.
3. Hard drives work fast at the beginning of the drive and slow down as the data is written to the bottom. Data don't take up the available space and it creates several hols which causes a delay in booting or loading of programs.
4. Over the years of using Mac, the system slows down with addition and reduction in data. And the OS X upgrades and normal operation makes the data less optimized. Therefore, the defragging Mac becomes important.
5. The Mac OS gathers a group of small files dynamically and then combines them in a large space. The automatic process of writing files defragments the files in a proper manner.
6. Mac's HFS+ File system makes sure that the recently freed file space is not used on the disk. Therefore, the system looks for the larger free area which is present on the drive. Thus, there is no room left to defrag apple Mac just so your files fit into the available space.
7. Even when you open a file, the Mac system checks the storage to verify if the files are fragmented or not. In case it is, the OS automatically defrag Mac files.

Part 4. Alternative Way to Defrag Mac

If yourMac has performance issues, then instead of using defrag tools for Mac you can try out the alternative ways. Here are some methods that would optimize Mac and make sure that is works efficiently.

Method 1. Install Latest Updates of Your MacOS:

The latest update will provide stability, better performance, and security to your Mac. It will not only update the installed software but optimize the system to work in an improved way without a Mac defragging software.

1. Open System Preferences from the Apple menu and tap on the Software Update option to check for updates.
2. If the update is available, click on the Update Now option to install it. You can take a look at the specifics of the updates.

Once the software is fully updated, make sure that the applications are updated too.

Method 2. Clean Unnecessary and Big Files:

Defragment Macbook

By deleting the files which are big and useless, you can improve the performance of your system. This way you don't have to worry about defragging Mac drive. Follow the steps below to delete extra files.

1. Open the drive that you want to search and open the search window.
2. Click on the '+' icon at the bottom of the Save button and customize the file size that you want to search. You can tell Mac to look for files using the 'Greater Than' column to find the files which occupy the maximum space.
3. Once the results are listed on the screen, you can select the files which you don't need. Right-click on the file to move it to trash or click on the Trash icon in the Dock. And make sure that you empty the trash too

Method 3. Boot Mac in Safe Mode:

Another way to eliminate the performance issue and avoiding defragmentation on Mac is by booting the system in Safe Mode. This way, no additional application will run automatically and it will erase the cache files too.

1. Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold the Shift key until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
2. You can release the Shift key when you see the login window. You might have to log in two times, once to unlock the startup disk and second to log in to the Finder.

Safe mode will erase the cache or directory issue as you start up and you'll have enough space left on your Mac. To exit the safe mode, you only have to restart Mac without pressing any additional key.

Part 5. More Tips to Speed Up Mac:

As you clean up the Mac, the need for Mac OS defrag will decrease and the system will start running smoothly. It is likely that your system will work fine now. But here are some additional tips that will speed up Mac:

• Update Software regularly as most of the issues happen due to the use of outdated software. The system update will also fix bugs and other reasons that are declining Mac performance.
• Prevent Programs from Launching Automatically when you turn on Mac. There are lots of apps that run in the background. So, you need to filter the list to free up resources to make sure that no extra space is occupied by them.
• Offload old data that is stored on online servers or external drives to make up space for new files.
• Clear Regularly: Apart from the system, you have to clean the Trash too. Even though the files are deleted from Mac, space is occupied by the trash. So, you'll have to empty the trash more frequently.
• Upgrade RAM: This solution won't help you to prevent fragmentation but it will improve the system performance.

Conclusion

So, now when anyone asks you can you defrag a Mac, you know that you can say yes. With every detail you have now, you can easily resolve performance issues with your Mac. And if somehow during cleanup or defragging Mac with third-party tools, the data gets deleted, then Recoverit Data Recovery can help you to retrieve the deleted files. Share the guide with your friends and family to let them know that there are easy ways of keeping up the Mac system.

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A common perception is that any slow-running computer should be defragmented. Disk defragmentation can help a computer operate smoothly, that’s certain, but should we still be doing this?

Defragmentation is a relic of older computing paradigms, and memory management. Modern systems do a much better job of defragmenting file storage and memory on their own without your interference. Still, there are times you should intervene.

We’ll walk you through how to defrag a Mac, let you know if you even can you defrag a Mac, and discuss disc defragmenter Mac computers may find useful as well as some alternatives that are likely more suitable to your needs.

What is disk defragmentation

Back in the day of tall PC towers and hard drives you could hear spinning inside those boxes, disk defragmentation was a critical component of keeping a computer operational and healthy. When a computer stores files, it places them wherever it has room on it drive.

If you had a program that needed access to ten different files, the logical step would be to store them right next to each other so the computer could find them quickly. But over time, deleting a file here or there meant random areas of space where computers could store those files. Rather than keeping associated files together, the computer may have them scattered throughout the file system.

This meant computers found files slowly, and the entire system would in turn run slowly. Defragmenting gave the computer time and license to find associated files and reorganize the file system to keep them together.

Do Macs Need Defragmentation?

Disk defragmentation is likely not necessary for modern Macs. You may want to defrag Mac devices, but unless it’s running an older version of OS X, the system should take care of disk fragmentation on its own.

When Macs need to be defragged

Defragmentation is most useful when your Mac’s storage is near capacity. Oddly, this is also when defragmentation is most difficult, as the system needs a bit of space to temporarily store files it's moving around.

A packed file storage is likely the more pressing issue for your Mac. Even if its system is organized properly, the more files your Mac has to poke through to find what it’s looking for, the slower it will be! It can be onerous to defrag Mac hard drive, even when it’s not packed.

That’s why Get Backup Pro is so useful. Most of us simply save files and folders, download movies or files, and tuck it all away in our ‘Documents’ folder without ever thinking those files or how our system is organized ever again. Get Backup Pro lets you backup all of your files – or select folders – to an external device for safekeeping. Instead of letting your Mac get cluttered with stuff, you can back it up automatically, then delete what’s on your Mac!

Get Backup Pro can be automated, and keeps files in sync on your Mac.

How to defragment a Mac?

You’d think defragging MacBook Pros and other Macs would be simple, but it’s not. Apple offers no setting or utility for it, and modern Macs won’t take well to third-party defragmentation apps. You can go this route if you like, but be sure to use Get Backup Pro to create a full backup of your Mac before you start tinkering with the file system.

Will defragmentation harm HDD or SSD?

Let’s discuss these two systems separately, as they operate uniquely, and have different responses to Mac defrag options available to you.

HDD: Defragging MacBook or Mac computers won’t harm an HDD, though proceed with caution. HDDs are spinning drives, and can benefit form defragmentation, but you should first identify if your Mac is using an HDD drive.

SSD: SSDs, or Solid State Drives, do not need fragmentation. A few years ago, Apple began using SSDs by default for Macs, so always double-check before proceeding with a defrag for Macs. SSDs maintain the filesystem automatically, and do not store files in the same way as HDDs. Defragging an SSD can severely harm your computer.

Sometimes, files seem lost, but they’re simply misplaced. Defragging can do this, but so can Apple’s automated file system management. This is why we advise creating routine backups, and where Disk Drill comes in really handy.

Disk Drill finds lost files on your Mac or external drives with ease, allowing you to quickly discover and use files you thought were gone forever. It’s simple, fast, and lets you analyze your Mac’s free space so you know exactly how much space you really have on your Mac!

Are there any alternatives to defragging?

Within your Mac’s Disk Utility service, you can choose to repair disk permissions. This resets which apps are able to read, write, and execute files. It’s sort of like pressing ‘reset’ on how your filesystem works with apps and services.

A better way to go about repairing how your Mac works with apps and services for saving, storing, and accessing files is with CleanMyMac X. Though it does a lot more than just repair your filesystem, CleanMyMac X has a function for repairing disk permissions in its “Maintenance” section. You can choose to rum the entirety of the Maintenance services, or choose “Repair Disk Permissions,” which repairs broken file and folder permissions without resetting your whole system’s permissions.

How to keep your Mac in good shape?

Defrag For Mac Os X

Maintaining your Mac is mostly about monitoring and being proactive. iStat Menus is one of the best apps for keeping tabs on your Mac, and lives in the menu bar so you have access to it all the time. iStat Menus monitors everything from CPU usage to storage capacity, and keeps tabs on your network performance, battery, app performance, sensors, processes, and load balancing. It can even tell you the weather!

The aforementioned CleanMyMac X can alert you on a scheduled basis to clean your Mac up, and has a really simple Smart Scan feature that tidies up the simple things that can leave your Mac operating slowly. There are also other sections for speed optimization, malware removal, updating or uninstalling apps, deleting large or old files, shredding files forever, and a privacy checkup.

Transferring files is a cause of fragmentation, too. If you have multiple Macs and find yourself transferring files between computers often, give ChronoSync Express a try.

ChronoSync Express keeps files and folders synced across multiple Macs, and you have the option to sync an entire filesystem, or select files and folders. It also syncs email or system notifications so you don’t have to set them uniquely each time.

Conclusion

Defragging a Mac isn’t always necessary, or recommended. Sometimes it’s not even possible! Modern Mac devices do a sensational job of keeping your filesystem tidied up, and default to syncing via iCloud if you have that set up on your Apple ID.

Defrag This Computer Now

But monitoring and maintaining a healthy filesystem is still important, and your Mac can’t do it for you. Apps like ChronoSync Express and Get Backup Pro help you sync and back files up better than anything else out there, while an app like Disk Drill can help you recover misplaced files you thought were lost forever.

Those three apps combined with iStat Menus and CleanMyMac X help you keep your Mac running at its peak performance level. The ability to monitor and maintain your Mac has never been better or easier!

Best of all, all five apps – iStat Menus, ChronoSync Express, Disk Drill, Get Backup Pro, and CleanMyMac X – are available for free during a seven day trial of Setapp, the best suite of productivity apps you can have for your Mac. In addition to these five apps, you’ll get immediate and unlimited access to the full Setapp suite of nearly 200 apps.

When the trial is finished, retaining access to Setapp is only $9.99 per month – a massive bargain for these five apps, let alone nearly 200 more! Why wait? Give Setapp a try today!

Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.

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