As you can see from screenshot, the memory is always hogged by safari cache and window server. I usually just have iMessage, Safari (1-4 tabs), and notes/pages opened and it would take around 75 - 80% memory
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m1 MacBook Air always at 75% memory with nothing much opened
- Thread starter kang8609
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macOS is built to use as much RAM as it can, intelligently. I would not concern myself with seeing how much RAM is free at all times, just use the machine and if you notice slowdowns, check and see how much swap you are using or if your memory pressure is constantly yellow or red.
As you can see, Safari has cached each site you were on but have left, so if you quit Safari and re-open it, you will free up at least a couple GB that way, but it will also automatically do that if your available memory gets low
As you can see, Safari has cached each site you were on but have left, so if you quit Safari and re-open it, you will free up at least a couple GB that way, but it will also automatically do that if your available memory gets low
You don't need to worry or try to manage it. It's the OS adapting to your usage and available resources.
Unix-based operating systems like macOS handle memory a little differently than you might otherwise be used to. The OS makes as much use of system RAM that it can - not just for running applications, but as a cache for all kinds of data so that it can be accessed quickly without (re)accessing slower storage like an SSD or hard drive.
macOS will free up cached memory to make room for applications as required.
Think of it this way: you’ve paid for all that RAM, why have it sitting around not being used most of the time?
Check if your Mac needs more RAM in Activity Monitor
Use Activity Monitor on your Mac to see if memory is being used efficiently and if you need more memory (RAM).
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