Windows computers have a number of wellknown and easy-to-use diagnostic tools, but the people in the Mac camp lackthat versatility. MacOS is known to be harder to work with, and most users findit easier to let a specialized tech handle the problem rather than deal with iton their own.
Best Mac antivirus software of 2021. By Mike Williams. But if you're dead set on a free Mac antivirus, you can find some of the best apps out there below on this page. Maintenance is an operating system maintenance and cleaning utility for macOS that you can use to perform miscellaneous tasks of computer maintenance: run periodic scripts; rebuild the databases; delete application, font, and system caches; and more. Maintenance is a reliable application which provides a clean interface to many.
But if you hail from the land of DIY, thenthese tools are for you. We’ve put together a list of some of the most usefuldiagnostic tools on macOS to help you figure out why you’re leaking memory, whyyour CPU is maxing out, and where all of your hard drive space has gone.
OnyX (Download)
OnyX is a free disk utility for the Macthat’s perfect for ferreting out why things aren’t running as quickly or assmoothly as they should be. OnyX lets you run diagnostics on your hard drive,perform various system maintenance tasks, and delete caches you might not evenknow are there. It also provides access to a lot of hidden features in macOS.
The best part? OnyX is totally free. Theprogram is consistently updated to work with the most recent OS updates, so youdon’t have to worry about incompatibility. The creator releases updates soonafter Apple does, so if it doesn’t work quite right immediately after theupdate, give it a bit of time.
Disk Utility
Disk Utility is a disk utility (surprise!)provided with macOS that helps handle drive errors and corrupted files. It’salso the go-to tool if your Mac won’t boot into its operating system. If you’venever heard of it before, you can find it tucked away in the Applications >Utilities folder.
Since Disk Utility comes with macOS, it’s afree program. If you have a drive that is throwing errors, you can run FirstAid on it after you launch the utility. You can also use this utility to createan image of your drive and export it to an external hard drive—a useful featureif your hard drive is failing.
MemTest86 (Download)
Mac Maintenance App
Apple computers are inscrutable in moreways than just their OS. Many of them make it difficult, if not impossible, towork on the hardware or modify it in any way. A Macbook tends to have all itscomponents soldered to the motherboard, but iMacs usually provide a way to swapout RAM. But as anyone that has worked with RAM before knows, it can be faulty.
When you find your RAM not workingproperly, give MemTest86 a spin. It’s a program that can be downloaded to abootable USB drive. When you want to use it, just press down the Option key asyour Mac boots. MemTest86 will test your RAM for any instability and help younarrow down where your memory problems might come from.
Malwarebytes (Download)
Malwarebytes is one of the most commonlyused programs for testing for malware. It’s more common for Windows users, butdespite the common belief, Macs can fall prey to malware and viruses.Malwarebytes is simple to use. Just run the scan at least once per month, ifnot once every two weeks, to make sure your Mac is free of any malware.
Even if the chance for a malware infectionis low, it’s still good to be on the safe side of things. A quick scan a coupleof times a month will keep you protected from phishing software, keyloggers,and much more.
DIY Diagnostics
Best Free Maintenance App For Mac
As with any tool that lets you work inside the files of an operating system, use diagnostic tools with care. Make sure you are completely aware of what the commands you’re using do before you use them.
Free Property Maintenance Software
These tools can be tremendously useful for extending the lifespan of your Mac, but misuse of them can cause irreparable damage to your system.