How to Update macOS Drivers, Firmware, and System Extensions to Improve Mac Performance

Keeping a Mac fast and reliable is not only about clearing storage or closing extra browser tabs. Under the surface, macOS depends on a mix of drivers, firmware, and system extensions that allow hardware, accessories, security tools, audio devices, printers, storage drives, and networking components to work properly. When these components are outdated, your Mac may feel slower, run hotter, disconnect from devices, or become less stable after major macOS upgrades.

Why These Updates Matter for Mac Performance

On modern Macs, “drivers” are often invisible. Unlike some operating systems where you manually install driver packages for nearly every device, macOS includes most hardware support inside the operating system itself. That means graphics, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, storage, trackpad, camera, and power management improvements usually arrive through macOS updates.

Firmware is even deeper. It controls low-level hardware behavior before macOS fully loads, including startup processes, security features, charging behavior, thermal management, and hardware compatibility. Apple typically bundles firmware updates with macOS releases, especially on Apple silicon Macs.

System extensions are the modern replacement for older kernel extensions. They allow approved apps to extend macOS functionality without running deep inside the system kernel. Security software, VPN tools, endpoint management apps, network filters, audio routing tools, and some storage utilities may use system extensions. Updated extensions can reduce crashes, improve compatibility, and prevent background processes from slowing your Mac.

In short: performance is not just about speed. It is also about stability, compatibility, battery life, wake from sleep, device reliability, and fewer background errors.

1. Start with macOS Software Update

The most important step is also the simplest: update macOS. Apple distributes most Mac hardware drivers and firmware through Software Update, so this should always be your first stop.

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
2. Open System Settings.
3. Go to General.
4. Select Software Update.
5. Install any available macOS updates.
6. Restart your Mac if prompted.

If you see a major upgrade, such as moving from one macOS version to another, check that your key apps and accessories are compatible first. Minor updates, such as security patches and point releases, are usually safer to install quickly because they often include bug fixes, firmware refinements, and hardware compatibility improvements.

You can also enable automatic updates. In Software Update, click the information icon or automatic update options and turn on settings for checking, downloading, and installing updates. For many users, this is the best way to make sure important driver-like improvements are never missed.

2. Understand Where Mac “Drivers” Actually Come From

On a Mac, drivers generally come from three places:

• Apple: Built into macOS for internal hardware and many common devices.
• App developers: Included with software that needs deeper hardware access, such as audio interfaces, virtualization tools, security apps, or VPN clients.
• Hardware manufacturers: Provided for specialized accessories like printers, scanners, docks, drawing tablets, MIDI controllers, external GPUs on older Intel Macs, or professional storage systems.

For Apple hardware, do not search random websites for Mac drivers. You almost never need a separate graphics driver, trackpad driver, Bluetooth driver, or Wi-Fi driver. Installing unofficial packages can cause more problems than it solves.

For third-party accessories, use the manufacturer’s official website or the app’s built-in updater. If you use a printer, for example, macOS may automatically detect and install the necessary printing support. But for advanced scan tools, color calibration, or device management features, the manufacturer may provide an additional package.

3. Update Third-Party Hardware Software Carefully

External devices can have a surprisingly large effect on Mac performance. A buggy dock driver, outdated audio interface utility, old printer background service, or incompatible storage extension may cause slow startups, high CPU usage, sleep issues, or random disconnections.

To update third-party hardware support:

1. Identify your device model exactly. Look at the product label, app name, or System Information.
2. Visit the manufacturer’s official support page.
3. Download the latest version that specifically supports your macOS version.
4. Read the release notes for compatibility warnings.
5. Quit related apps before installing.
6. Restart after installation, even if the installer does not demand it.

Be especially careful with professional audio, video, backup, and virtualization software. These tools often install system extensions or background services. Updating the main application without updating its helper components can leave old parts running in the background.

Tip: If an accessory worked well before a major macOS upgrade but behaves poorly afterward, check the manufacturer’s website before replacing the hardware. A compatibility update may solve the issue.

4. Keep Firmware Updated Through macOS

Firmware updates are not usually something you install manually on modern Macs. Apple includes them with macOS updates, and they are applied automatically during the update process. This is one reason restarting is important. Some firmware changes only complete during startup or shutdown.

Firmware can affect:

• Startup reliability
• Battery charging and power management
• Thermal behavior and fan control
• Thunderbolt and USB compatibility
• Security features such as Secure Boot
• Sleep and wake behavior

On Apple silicon Macs, firmware is closely tied to the installed macOS version. On Intel Macs, firmware updates are also generally delivered through macOS installers and updates. If your Mac is far behind on updates, installing the latest compatible macOS version may bring several firmware improvements at once.

If a Mac fails to start properly after an interrupted update, Apple Configurator may be needed to revive or restore firmware on Apple silicon models or Macs with the T2 chip. This is not a routine performance step, but it is useful to know if a firmware update is interrupted by power loss or system failure.

5. Check and Update System Extensions

System extensions are used by apps that need special access to parts of macOS. They are safer than older kernel extensions because they run with more restrictions, but they can still affect performance. A poorly maintained network filter, security scanner, or device extension may run constantly in the background.

To review extension-related permissions:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Go to Privacy & Security.
3. Look for messages about blocked or pending system software.
4. Approve only extensions from developers you recognize and trust.
5. Restart your Mac after approving or removing extensions.

Some apps also list their extensions in their own settings. Security tools, VPN clients, audio utilities, backup software, and virtualization apps often include update buttons or maintenance tools. If the app is old and has not been updated for your macOS version, consider uninstalling it and replacing it with a supported alternative.

Never approve a system extension simply because a pop-up tells you to. Confirm the app name, developer name, and purpose first.

6. Remove Old Kernel Extensions When Possible

Kernel extensions, often called kexts, are older system components that run at a very deep level. Apple has been moving developers away from kernel extensions for years because they can reduce security and stability. On newer versions of macOS, many kexts are blocked, limited, or require special approval.

Older kexts may remain after uninstalling outdated software. These leftovers can contribute to boot delays, warning messages, crashes, or compatibility problems after macOS upgrades.

You can check for loaded kernel extensions using System Information:

1. Hold the Option key and click the Apple menu.
2. Select System Information.
3. Look under Software for extension-related sections.
4. Review non-Apple items carefully.

Do not randomly delete system files. Instead, use the official uninstaller for the old app or download the latest uninstaller from the developer. If no uninstaller exists, contact the developer or consult Apple support documentation before removing anything manually.

7. Update Apps from the Mac App Store and Trusted Sources

Many system-level improvements come through regular app updates. Apps that interact with hardware, networking, storage, cameras, microphones, and input devices may include updated extensions, helper tools, and compatibility patches.

Update Mac App Store apps by opening the App Store and selecting Updates. For apps installed outside the App Store, open the app and look for menu items such as Check for Updates, About, or Preferences. Some professional apps use dedicated update managers.

Prioritize updates for:

• Antivirus and endpoint security tools
• VPN and firewall apps
• Audio drivers and recording software
• Printer and scanner utilities
• Backup and disk management tools
• Virtual machine software
• Cloud storage sync apps
• Dock, display, and input device utilities

These categories are more likely to install background components that influence system performance.

8. Use System Information to Identify Hardware and Software

If you are not sure what needs updating, System Information is one of the most useful built-in tools on the Mac. It provides details about hardware, USB devices, Thunderbolt accessories, storage, graphics, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, printers, and software components.

To open it, hold Option, click the Apple menu, and choose System Information. From there, you can check device names, firmware versions for some accessories, and software extensions. This is especially helpful when looking up support downloads from a manufacturer.

For example, if a USB audio interface keeps disconnecting, System Information can confirm whether the Mac detects it correctly, what bus it is using, and whether it appears under USB or Thunderbolt. That information makes troubleshooting much easier.

9. Restart, Test, and Monitor Performance

After updating macOS, firmware, apps, or extensions, restart your Mac. Many users skip this step because macOS is good at sleeping and waking, but system-level changes often need a clean boot. A restart can unload old components, activate new ones, and clear stuck background processes.

After restarting, test the issue you were trying to improve. Check whether your Mac wakes faster, runs cooler, connects to accessories more reliably, or uses less CPU. You can open Activity Monitor to look for processes using unusually high CPU, memory, energy, or disk activity.

If performance gets worse after an update, do not panic. Try these steps:

• Restart again after all updates finish.
• Check whether the app has a newer patch.
• Disconnect external accessories and test again.
• Boot in Safe Mode to see whether third-party components are involved.
• Remove or reinstall the recently updated app if necessary.

10. Avoid Risky Driver Updater Apps

Be cautious with apps that promise to scan your Mac and update every driver automatically. On macOS, these tools are usually unnecessary and may be misleading. Since Apple distributes most drivers through macOS updates, a third-party “driver updater” has little legitimate work to do.

Some of these tools may install unwanted background services, show exaggerated warnings, or encourage paid subscriptions for maintenance tasks you can perform manually. The safer approach is simple: use Software Update, update apps from trusted sources, and get accessory software directly from the manufacturer.

Best Practices for Long-Term Mac Performance

To keep your Mac running smoothly, make driver, firmware, and extension maintenance part of a broader routine:

• Install macOS updates regularly to receive Apple’s latest hardware support and firmware improvements.
• Keep important apps current, especially those that install system extensions.
• Remove software you no longer use, particularly VPNs, security tools, printer utilities, and old device managers.
• Use official uninstallers when removing system-level apps.
• Check compatibility before major upgrades if you rely on professional hardware or specialty software.
• Back up with Time Machine before major macOS or firmware-related updates.

A well-maintained Mac does not need constant tweaking. In fact, the best performance often comes from keeping the system clean, current, and free of abandoned background components. Apple designs macOS to manage most drivers and firmware automatically, but third-party extensions and hardware utilities still deserve attention.

Updating macOS drivers, firmware, and system extensions is less about chasing mysterious downloads and more about knowing where the real updates come from. Start with Apple’s Software Update, keep trusted apps current, review system extensions carefully, and remove outdated low-level software. With those habits, your Mac is more likely to stay fast, stable, secure, and ready for the next macOS release.