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User profile for user: ShadowDust99
ShadowDust99 Author
User level: Level 5
4,348 points

Messages causing significant battery drain and CPU usage

Hey all


I've recently updated my MacBook Pro 16" to Big Sur and have been noticing the fan speed increasing frequently, battery draining quicker, and MacBook getting hot easily.


I checked activity monitor and it appears to be Messages causing the issue. Quitting Messages and re-opening it causes the fan speed to lower and Activity Monitor shows Messages using less CPU and energy after that.


I have attached screenshots of Activity Monitor while the MacBook Pro is exhibiting these issues.


Anyone else had this problem or know what could be causing it? I have never had the problems prior to Big Sur.


MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 11.0

Posted on Dec 12, 2020 4:25 AM

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User profile for user: Tara Feldstein
Tara Feldstein
User level: Level 1
14 points

Posted on Jan 11, 2021 3:48 PM

Mine also does this - it's maddening. Since Big Sur update my battery plummets due to this in an hour or less. Nobody seems to know how to fix it.

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User profile for user: SnickZ.
SnickZ.
User level: Community Specialist

Dec 16, 2020 7:30 AM in response to ShadowDust99

Hi there ShadowDust99,


We know it’s important to have all the components on your Mac responding, and working as you’d expect. We’re happy to assist and provide guidance.


Do you use Messages in iCloud? Your messages including photos and videos you send and receive are stored in iCloud. If you open one of the conversations, do you see the videos and photos from the conversation? We ask because the attachments may be downloaded from iCloud to your Mac which may cause a large amount of CPU usage.


Let’s also try restarting in safe mode: How to use safe mode on your Mac

Safe mode prevents your Mac from loading certain software as it starts up, including login items, system extensions not required by macOS, completes a basic check of your startup disk, and clears cache. While in safe mode use the Messages app and see if the CPU goes up.


If you have other questions, please let us know.


Take care!

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Messages causing significant battery drain and CPU usage

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