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How to Fix "Your System Has Run Out of Application Memory" on Mac (Complete Guide)
If you’re using a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air and suddenly see the alert “your system has run out of application memory, you’re not alone. This warning can appear even on newer Macs and often disturbs your workflow without clear instructions on what to do next.
In this guide, we’ll explain what application memory is, why this error happens, and provide step-by-step solutions, from instant fixes to long-term prevention, to help your Mac run smoothly again.
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Part 1. Fatest Fix: What to Do Immediately When My Mac Says System Has Run Out of Application Memory
When macOS shows the “system has run out of application memory” warning, the priority is freeing RAM immediatelybefore your system becomes unstable or unresponsive. Instead of manually checking each app, Tenorshare Cleamio offers a faster and safer solution.
It includes a Mac Status Center that displays real-time CPU, RAM, and system load, helping you instantly identify which apps are consuming excessive memory. Most importantly, Cleamio allows you to force quit high-memory applications and free up RAM in one click, without needing to close apps one by one or open Activity Monitor manually.
Also, it can deep scan and delete large files, duplicate files, and junk files on Mac.
Steps to Clear Application Memory Using Cleamio
Here are the steps you need to follow.
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Download and install Tenorshare Cleamio on your Mac. Launch the app and open the Mac Status Center.
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Click the “Details” button under the “Memory” section and check for apps taking abnormal amounts of memory on your computer.
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Click “Remove” against the process that takes too much memory and click “OK” to proceed with removing it.
This method is ideal when your Mac becomes sluggish, apps freeze, or the memory warning keeps reappearing.
Part 2. What Is Application Memory on Mac?
Application memory refers to the portion of RAM that macOS allocates to apps and system processes while they’re running.
Common types of application memory include:
- Active Memory: RAM currently being used by open apps.
- Inactive Memory: Previously used memory that can be reused quickly.
- Wired Memory: Essential system memory that cannot be compressed or freed.
- Compressed Memory: Data macOS compresses when RAM is running low.
When application memory exceeds available RAM and swap space, macOS triggers the “your system has run out of application memory” alert to prevent system crashes.
Part 3. Why Does My Mac Keep Running Out of Application Memory
This message means macOS can no longer efficiently manage running apps using available RAM and virtual memory.
It often appears when:
- Multiple memory-intensive apps are open
- Browsers consume excessive RAM
- Background processes fail to release memory
- Disk space for swap memory is insufficient
Why Is My Mac Running Out of Application Memory?
Here are the most common reasons your Mac keeps saying the system has run out of application memory:
- Too many apps are running simultaneously
- Browser memory leaks (especially Chrome or Firefox)
- Heavy browser extensions or dozens of tabs
- Insufficient free disk space for virtual memory
- Startup apps are running unnecessarily
- Poorly optimized third-party software
Part 4. How to Clear Application Memory on Mac All Models (6 Step-by-Step Ways)
Below are six proven step-by-step methods to check Mac CPU and memory usage and fix memory issues on MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and iMac models.
1. Check Activity Monitor & Quit Memory Hogs
Below are six proven step-by-step methods to fix memory issues on MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and iMac models. So, you can easily quit applications by monitoring their usage.
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Open “Spotlight Search” by pressing “F4” on your keyboard, then search for "Activity Monitor" and open the app.
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Click the "Memory" tab, then click the “Memory” column to sort the apps based on their RAM consumption.
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Click on an unnecessary process taking too much RAM and click the “Stop" button at the top to quit that process.
2. Restart Your Mac (Immediate Quick Reset)
Restarting the Mac clears RAM, resets system caches, and stops runaway processes.
Click “Apple menu" from the top left and hit "Restart”.
Avoid reopening apps automatically.
This is often the fastest short-term fix.
3. Check and Free Up Disk Space
macOS relies on disk space to create swap memory, and freeing up disk space allows the OS to create more virtual RAM.
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Go to Apple menu, then "System Settings" and pick "General", then "Storage”.
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Ensure at least 15–20 GB of free space. Remove large files, old downloads, or unused apps. In some cases, clearing the Bin frees up a lot of disk space.
4. Close Unnecessary Browser Tabs / Extensions / Background Apps
Browsers are one of the biggest RAM consumers, and closing unnecessary processes frees up a significant amount of RAM.
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Close unnecessary browser tabs with the "x" button, and when you are done using the browser, quit it completely with "CMD + Q" to prevent background processes.
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If you are using some heavy extensions, go to the Extensions page and remove them by clicking "Remove."
5. Uninstall or Remove Problematic Third-Party Apps (Especially from Login Items/Startup)
Some apps constantly run in the background or launch at startup, even when you do not need them. Uninstalling them or at least removing them from the startup list frees up a lot of RAM for you.
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Open “System Settings” on Mac and go to “Login Items and Extensions” in “General”.
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Click to select an app and click “-” to remove it from login items.
6. Switch to a Different Browser or Manage Browser Memory Better
If one browser, like Firefox or Chrome, repeatedly causes memory alerts, try Safari for better macOS optimization. Otherwise, you may use browser memory management features to maintain seamless browsing without having to switch.
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Press “CMD + Q” (twice if needed) to quit the Firefox, Chrome, or other browser window.
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Open the same page URL in Safari to enjoy a more optimized browsing experience.
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If you were using the MS Edge browser, you can enable the "Tab Sleeping" feature to manage memory better by going to "Settings", then "System and Performance", and going into the "Performance" tab to enable the “Sleeping tabs” option.
Part 5. Long-Term Prevention: How to Stop Your Mac from Running Out of Application Memory
To prevent future issues, you can follow the tips below:
- Keep macOS and apps updated
- Avoid running too many heavy apps at once
- Monitor memory usage regularly
- Remove unused login items
- Maintain sufficient free disk space
- Use a system management tool like Cleamio for ongoing monitoring
Proactive maintenance significantly reduces memory-related errors.
Part 6. How to Get More Application Memory on Mac by Increasing Virtual Memory
While macOS manages virtual memory automatically, you can optimize it by ensuring enough disk space.
- Free up disk storage (at least 20 GB recommended) by removing unnecessary files and apps and moving large files to external drives.
- Restart your Mac to reset swap memory.
- Avoid running memory-heavy apps together.
Although you can’t manually set virtual memory size, proper disk management makes a big difference.
Conclusion
The “your system has run out of application memory on Mac” warning is frustrating but completely fixable. From quick resets and Activity Monitor checks to long-term optimization, managing memory is key to macOS performance.
For the fastest and easiest solution, Tenorshare Cleamio stands out by offering real-time monitoring, one-click force quit, and memory cleanup without technical hassle. With the right tools and habits, your Mac can stay fast, stable, and responsive.
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Create your review for Tenorshare articles
By Jenefey Aaron
2026-01-08 / Mac Cleanup