Catalina to Tahoe...runs slow and hot...want to go back!

i upgraded macbook pro 2019 from Catalina to Tahoe. now it runs slow and hot. What can i do to remedy this?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 26.1

Posted on Dec 15, 2025 11:31 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 15, 2025 12:03 PM

It is possible there are processes running in the background that are using significant resources. Check Activity Monitor, CPU tab (sort by % CPU) and Memory tab (sort by Memory) to see what's running hard.

 

Activity Monitor User Guide for Mac - Apple Support


As for going back, reverting to an older macOS is not simple. You need to boot into Recovery OS, erase your internal drive, then install the older macOS, then restore from a backup made prior to the Tahoe upgrade. Even then, the firmware on the Mac may have been updated, meaning potential conflicts and a possible need for DFU mode and a Configurator revive/restore, which would need to be done via another Mac connected to yours. If that sounds complicated and risky, then you're assessing the situation correctly.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 15, 2025 12:03 PM in response to jenbr549

It is possible there are processes running in the background that are using significant resources. Check Activity Monitor, CPU tab (sort by % CPU) and Memory tab (sort by Memory) to see what's running hard.

 

Activity Monitor User Guide for Mac - Apple Support


As for going back, reverting to an older macOS is not simple. You need to boot into Recovery OS, erase your internal drive, then install the older macOS, then restore from a backup made prior to the Tahoe upgrade. Even then, the firmware on the Mac may have been updated, meaning potential conflicts and a possible need for DFU mode and a Configurator revive/restore, which would need to be done via another Mac connected to yours. If that sounds complicated and risky, then you're assessing the situation correctly.

Catalina to Tahoe...runs slow and hot...want to go back!

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