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MacBook Pro 2019 using up 16 Gig of internal memory when starting...

My Mac 16-inch 2019 Mac has been awful since I bought it with regards to memory usage. Also, the battery only last 2 hours even though that is separate.


I can not expand beyond 16 Gig internal memory so I am stuck. I have brought it into Apple 2x but they say it's fine... Essentially it is "consuming" all 16 Gig of internal memory directly upon starting with only Chrome and Slack open. I have to use the App "Memory Diag" and keep hitting "free up memory" button to do any kind of work... Any ideas anyone?


I have attached the screenshot showing which apps are open and also Active Monitor. The specs are:

Processor: 2.6 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7

Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB

Memory: 16 GB 2667 MHz DDR4

Running Sytem: 13.3.1 (22E261)


MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.12

Posted on Oct 10, 2023 4:44 PM

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Oct 10, 2023 6:45 PM in response to SwedelostinAmerica

Uninstall the memory app by following the developer's instructions. There is no need for such an app.


macOS utilizes memory differently than it did years ago. These days macOS will keep memory filled all the time because unused memory is wasted memory.


To know if you are running low on memory, you need to observe the memory pressure gauge in the "Memory" tab of Activity Monitor. If the graph is showing yellow or red, then it indicates your workload is causing the system to run low on memory. If the graph is green, then check to see the values for "Swap" and "Compressed".....if either one is using lots of GBs of either, then that also indicates your workload requires more memory.


Since you cannot add more memory, your only option would be to quit an app, or two, or more. You can try rebooting the computer since that can clear out some memory when you restart, just make sure to uncheck "Reopen windows when logging in" so that the system will release the memory for the apps you left running when rebooting. Apps need to be completely closed & relaunched once in a while, plus even macOS needs to be rebooted once in a while.


If the battery is draining too quickly, then it is either due to the computer working too hard most likely due to third party apps which are interfering with the normal operation of macOS, or the battery is wearing out or even failing, or possibly from externally connected devices which are being powered by the laptop.


Option-click the battery icon on the menu bar to see the battery condition (the condition will only show up if there is a problem where it will say "Service Recommended").


To look for possible software issues, run the third party app EtreCheck and post the report here so we can examine it for clues. The usual culprits are anti-virus apps, cleaning/optimizer apps, and third party security software since they all interfere with the normal operation of macOS. None of these types of apps are needed on a Mac and usually causes more problems than they solve. If you have those types of apps installed, then uninstall them by following the developer's instructions.

MacBook Pro 2019 using up 16 Gig of internal memory when starting...

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