Explore memory details

Random access memory (RAM) is the short-term memory on your Mac that processes data much faster than a disk. RAM enables macOS and other apps to run simultaneously, allowing you to send apps to the background and bring them back instantly. In simple terms, RAM is what makes multitasking possible – the more RAM you have, the faster you can work with multiple open apps or switch between browser tabs.

When RAM runs out, your Mac slows down. This happens because the system starts storing and retrieving data from the disk instead of RAM. Even the fastest solid-state drives are much slower than RAM, so tasks take longer to complete.

Monitoring RAM is crucial because it helps you see when your Mac RAM is overloaded. Freeing up RAM at the right moment can keep your Mac running smoothly, even with many apps open.

Here are the memory details CleanMyMac provides:

• Available RAM (you can free up some instantly)
• RAM allocation (memory reserved for macOS, apps, and tasks)
• RAM pressure (the stress level on your RAM)
• Size of the swap file (which extends RAM by using disk space)
• RAM-intensive apps (apps that consume the most RAM)

Allocation shows how RAM is distributed between macOS, open apps, and available memory. To view the allocation chart, open the Menu and click Memory – the chart appears at the top of the detailed view. Hover over a segment for two seconds to see a tooltip with brief explanation.

Here's what the allocation types mean:

• Active – RAM currently in use by open apps and running processes.

• Wired – RAM required for essential macOS functions.

  This memory can't be compressed or swapped to the startup disk, so it always remains in RAM and isn't available for other apps.

• Compressed – RAM that has been reclaimed from inactive apps and allocated to active ones for faster performance.

  When you reopen an inactive app, the RAM returns to it, but more slowly than it would from available RAM.

The remaining unallocated segment on the chart shows the available RAM you can use for current and future tasks.