macOS High Sierra Delete plist File
Deleting a .plist File May Improve Your Mac's Performance
Some users in the Mac community find that particular .plist files are responsible for telling your Mac to slow down; for instance, so your battery life can be extended. Technically, the file instructs your Mac’s processor to work at a much slower clock speed than it is usually capable of, thereby resulting in dramatically reduced performance levels.
In some cases, instead of just some minor slowdowns, a .plist file brings about a crawl, leading to performance issues that probably made you find your way here to this page.
Remember, deleting this .plist file is a hack discovered by users after several trial and error methods and not something that is recommended by Apple, at least not officially. However, several hundred users have vouched for this method in forums and various types of online discussions.
Delete a .plist File on an Older OS X
If you are running an older OS X on your Mac, we've written about how to find and delete your .plist files. As a quick reminder:
- Open Finder
- Select your hard drive
- Select System > Library > Extensions
- Find and locate a text file called IOPlatformPluginFamily.kext
- Right click on the file and select Show Package Contents
- Click Contents > Resources > Plugins
- Right click on ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin.kext
- Right click on it and Show Package Contents
- Click Contents > Resources
- Find the .plist file
- Delete the file
- Restart your Mac
macOS High Sierra Delete a plist File
In High Sierra that process is slightly different. To find your .plist files in macOS High Sierra:
- Open Finder,
- Hold Option,
- Click on the Go menu,
- Go to Library > Preferences
You can delete the plist file(s) there.
Before Deleting a plist File
We recommend you try a basic Mac cleaning program before attempting to delete a plist file. Our recommendation is Clean My Mac 3. You can also check our list of simple steps to take to speed up your MacBook Air.
Hey I’ve used this solution successfully a few months ago, but yesterday I did a clean install with High Sierra and the Problem reappeared, but now I can’t seem to find my .plist file anymore, it’s not in the original folder. Any suggestions?
Unable to delete .plist file in Mac OS High Sierra even in safe Mode. Giving me the message as ““MacBookPro8_1.plist” can’t be modified or deleted because it’s required by macOS.”
Thank you.
hello joerg can you guide me where in high sierra i can find the file macbook8_1 plist ,i cant find it where you write.i have the same issue macbook wery slow regards carsten denmark
I did this deleted the plist file and its working and it got faster now and is usable, problem it is still faster when charging compared when working on batteries. ALso, can I still update my mac os. im using high sierra. im afraid if I update, this is going to slow again or have to delete that file again.
Hi, I have the kernel_task problem. My model identifier is MacBookAir6,2 (early 2014) using Sierra version 10.12.5
My model is not in the .plist so advice is to delete all .plist but when I go to delete all the .plist computer says I cannot move to the trash as it is required by the OS.
I have disabled my SIS but this has not helped.
I have tried to rename the .kext file but I can’t find a way to do that either.
Apple dealer says to buy a new computer. I probably have water damage except I have not spilled water on my computer nor have I had it anywhere to be compromised.
thoughts?
Hi,
Please help me out i cannot find plist file in macOS Sierra….guide me :))
Try: Preferences>Advanced + Show Develop. Then try to find the file again.
Hi Kylie,
Thank you for pointing this out again! In High Sierra under Preferences I find a long list of plist files (mainly named “com.apple….plist”. None of them has my MacBooks model in the name. Do I need to delete all files ending .plist?
Thank you very much for your help!
Joerg (MacBook slow when not plugged to charger)
Hi again,
I found the plist in High Sierra under Extensions.
I seem to have been in the wrong library folder. Not in the system one. Deleted it after temp disable the SIP. Seems to work, awesome!
Thanks!
hi joerg
Looking for the extensions folder in High Sierra since I can’t find it in the library folder neither. I have a german iOS would the extention folder be called differenty. I was looking for the MacBookPro8_1.plist (that’s my model). Cant find it with complete search neither.
Thanks for letting me know
What year model of mac do you own?