M1 Pro using too much Swap memory

guilhermerodz wrote:

My Macbook M1 Pro 16GB 14' (2021) uses 12GB+ Swap memory.

I restart it several times a month to reset the "Swap Used" to 0GB, but it ALWAYS goes up to 17GB+.

I tried uninstalling apps and removing startup applications, but it always increases to the point where the system gets freezings, lags, and even the sound gets robotic and frozen. Then I have no option but to restart it.

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Some personal attempts that didn't work• :

Docker was using 8GB RAM, so I thought it could be it. Then I limited Docker to 2GB RAM max, and nothing changed.

• Figma and Chrome use significant RAM. I tried closing both. Nothing changed.

I don't know how to debug which apps are causing this issue. I don't know if this could be a hardware problem itself. I've heard that most developers don't have an issue with a 16GB mac. I am a WEB DEV, not mobile...

[Edited by Moderator]

Well —"to the point where the system gets freezings, lags, and even the sound gets robotic and frozen."

I would say that is an issue.

I might suspect third party apps. Not all app or optimized and can have memory leaks.

Look for updates.

Uninstall Docker and compare your results...

Uninstall Figma and compare your results...

Chrome is a known hog, try using a differnt browser and compare your results...

You do not say how much free storage you have available(?) Volumes share space within the same Container with no penalty. Limited free storage could impact your issue.

Unused RAM is wasted RAM...

I would not hesitate to reboot every couple days if necessary(?)

To trouble shoot further you can:

—A SafeBoot Use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support will sort many anomalies

Does a quick disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, third party system modifications and system accelerations are disabled.

Login and test. Reboot as normal and test. Caches get rebuilt automatically.

This test will tell you if third party interference; most* extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.

—Test issue in another user (or guest user) account Change Users & Groups settings on Mac - Apple Support

This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account. 

unplug all third party peripherals when testing

Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/VPN/Anti-Virus

all known to cause issues on the macOS

no insight or resolve—

You can get a good look at your User/System config. and reveal conflicts or issues, you can download/run this trusted utility https://etrecheck.com

If you need help interpreting the report you can post it here in its entirety in the "Additional Text" box in the editing toolbar below, in your reply.

The use of 12-17GB swap space by itself is not really a problem, nor is it of real concern about 'wear & tear' on your SSD.

How about running an Etrecheck report and posting the results here? It will provide details about what's going on in your Mac and participants here may be able to point out things that may need addressing. It does not reveal any personal information. And it was written by an active & respected member of these Apple communities.

I’ll do so. Thanks. Reason I raised issue is that there seems to be a memory leak with Safari and tab groups. I admit I sometimes use a lot of tabs but I was aghast to find it using a gross amount of swap. I have an M1 Max Macbook with 64gb. I found my laptop had run out of all physical memory and was using 64gb swap. That can’t be healthy in the long run. It looked like Safari was holding onto closed tabs that were no longer visible. When I closed a tab group it said I had 50 tabs to be closed even though the window only had one visible tab. Further investigation required.

17GB (12 & 16 too) is a small amount and nothing to worry about. It's temporary usage disk space anyway, "virtual memory" not actual RAM.

It's going to go to 0 every time you restart anyway.

Except it's also putting extra unnecessary wear and tear on the internal SSD which is not replaceable.