Why is the legacyScreenSaver process using such a large amount of RAM, specifically 1.3 GB?

If you go into activity monitor click on the legacy screen saver and click the information icon, you should see a quit button on the bottom left corner of that box click on it and you can quit/ force quit the process.

I am having the same issue. I also use my own wallpaper (one from my camera roll) and the fliqlo screensaver. The screensaver just recently became a process for my computer which it used not to be. In the picture below it isn't using much storage but it's gone as high as 15gb and my computer only have 8gb or RAM. I have also noticed it has started to slow down my Macbook and am looking for a fix.

I got this, too; the main legacy screensaver may go up to 40GB, even 70GB today; what a crazy amount vs. a total of 16GB, so I think this is a bug.

Also, hundreds of legacy screensaver (web content ) processes consume 15MB per one.

Filip369 wrote:

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/fa46d633-e1e1-48cf-9e3a-ec8c5b112caa

Since I upgraded to Sonoma, I have seen this process in the activity monitor, which uses around 1.3 GB of RAM.

How can I disable it?

Are you using a legacy screen saver...?

Try changing screen saver and compare your results.

I have the same issue on a MacBook Air M2 with Sequoia 15.0.1 (24A348). It has irritated me for a while now. Please fix this, Apple! This process comes in and freezes my machine, with no screen saver running. I am busy working and this thing creeps up on me, every day. Even after restarting and updating and what not. This is unacceptable.

I wrote a timed script to kill the legacyScreenSaver process.

So far I didn't noticed any adverse effects such as system crashes after forcing the legacyScreenSaver (Wallpaper) process to end.

https://github.com/cccccyyyf/Kill-legacyScreenSaver/tree/main

Hope it helps!

This seems to be either an issue with the Fliqlo screensaver or the Apple screensaver. I'd suspect a memory leak of some kind.

I'll notice my CPU usage creep up and then notice 'Legacy ScreenSaver' taking up too much.

My Solution: I force-quit that process, and CPU usage drops back to normal.

Doesn't even affect the Screensaver (can use with hot-corners as usual).

The only solution but its not a solution since it pops up again...so it keeps you on your toes and makes the machine unusable at times.... I'm pretty sure this is Apple trying to tell u$ $omething

I have had the same issue with the legacyScreenSaver process with Fliqlo installed.

What has worked for me is to install ne newest version of Fliqlo from their website and restarting the Mac.

For me it worked with the 1.9.4 version where also in the version history the bug is mentioned:

[Edited by Moderator]

Well i think this can be the first solution because before i'll do what i should do my RAM on my mac still stuck on 80% or gotta be more then what i've got is 74% RAM after force quit. Very helpful thanks a lot!

Make sure you report it via https://feedbackassistant.apple.com/ so it gets their attention. BTW, I was misinformed about them not running at all in 15. They run. It must've just been that particular screensaver with one particular user that had the problem reported by another developer. Mine runs as it should, it just doesn't stop because of whatever they broke in legacyScreenSaver. For the time being, I actually added a line of code that throws an exception when it gets the notification that the screensaver should stop, which usually kills legacyScreenSaver, but not always.

I agree, force quitting the process is currently the best solution!

They obviously broke it in 14. I've heard legacy screensavers won't even run in 15. Please report the bug to Apple. You can reference my report of FB13444225 if you'd like.

I have very same issue. Using 60% of M3 MBP CPU and 5GB from 36GB RAM. The funniest point is, that I have NO wallpaper setup. Just plain back screen. What the ****. They should stop developing new features and start to focus on fixing / maintaining current one.