Know your Mac uptime
(Updated: )Your Mac computer's uptime refers to the amount of time it has been running since the last restart. We recommend restarting your Mac after about seven days to maintain optimal performance.
To check uptime of your Mac, open the Menu, click the CPU monitor, and view Uptime.
When you quit an app, macOS typically terminates most of the associated processes and services. However, some background processes may continue running, consuming small amounts of CPU power over time. After 5–7 days without a reboot, these lingering processes can accumulate, leading to higher CPU usage, slower performance, and occasional system lag.
Extended uptime can also cause apps to accumulate non-critical errors or memory leaks, which gradually consume more system resources, impacting overall efficiency. A system restart resets these apps, clearing errors and memory usage, and returning the CPU to its optimal performance state.
Restarting your Mac regularly not only frees up resources but also ensures that any updates or system patches requiring a reboot are applied, further enhancing security and stability.
