How Do I Free Up Memory On My Mac

How to free up RAM memory on Mac. The simplest way to free up RAM on Mac is to restart your computer. Restarting the system empties the RAM and disk caches and as a result, helps to fix a slow Mac. However, the idea of restarting the system each time you need to free up RAM is not the best choice. Here’s how: On the menu bar, click the Apple logo in the top left. Select ‘About this Mac’. Select ‘Storage’. This is the easiest method for how to see storage on Mac – but you can go deeper! If you need a closer look at your Mac’s memory use, there are a few ways to go about it. From the Storage screen, you can select ‘Manage.

What is 'Your computer is low on memory'?

'Your computer is low on memory' is a deceptive pop-up window displayed by rogue applications (e.g. adware, browser hijackers or other Potentially Unwanted Applications - PUAs). It is displayed by ScreenSaver.app, ScreenCapture.app, Spaces.app, MacSecurityPlus and other dubious apps.

Apr 03, 2020 Additional Ways to Free up RAM on Windows or Mac. The best thing to do is to be proactive with your computer’s RAM so that you don’t have to worry about freeing up space. Use these additional ways to keep your RAM storage free. Install a Memory/RAM Cleaner. One way to free up some space on your Apple Watch is to delete the apps that you don't use. You can do this on your iPhone using the Watch app. So, open the Watch app, and from the bottom menu tap on My Watch.

The pop-up is designed to trick users into giving the application displaying it various permissions such as control over browsers and the data stored therein.

The text presented in the pop-up claims that the computer is low on memory and suggests that the user close some opened applications to free up memory. This pop-up hides another window, and thus the 'Close' button of the first window is also the consent option of the next pop-up.

Therefore, when 'Close' is clicked, users unintentionally click the hidden button as well. The disguised pop-up is a system window through which the rogue application displays requests to allow potentially harmful capabilities/actions. For example, in this deceptive manner, the app might request permission to control the browser (e.g. Google Chrome, Safari, etc.).

Once such access is allowed, the app behind this pop-up can gain access to documents and data stored on the browser, and then misuse it in various ways. Furthermore, 'Your computer is low on memory' is displayed when users attempt to uninstall the application displaying it.

Therefore, if you encounter this pop-up, you are strongly advised to immediately remove the app responsible for it.

PUAs such as ScreenSaver.app, ScreenCapture.app, Spaces.app, and MacSecurityPlus display 'Your computer is low on memory'. These unwanted applications have various dangerous capabilities.

Adware-types display intrusive ads (e.g. pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons, etc.), which significantly diminish the browsing experience by limiting browsing speed and website visibility. Additionally, when these ads are clicked, they redirect to sale-based, untrusted, compromised, deceptive/scam and malicious sites.

How Do I Free Up Memory

They can also be triggered (by clicking them) to download/install content (e.g. PUAs) without users' consent. Other unwanted apps called browser hijacker modify browsers, restrict or deny access to settings and promote fake search engines. Most PUAs (regardless of other capabilities) can track data.

They can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather users' personal information derived from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This collected data is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to generate revenue by misusing it.

To summarize, rogue apps can cause browser and system infiltration/infections, lead to serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:
Name'Your computer is low on memory' pop-up
Threat TypePhishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Fake ClaimPop-up claims the device is low on memory.
Detection Names (rogue installation setup)
Emsisoft (Gen:Variant.Application.MAC.Koiot.939 (B)), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Application.MAC.Koiot.939), ESET-NOD32 (OSX/Adware.MaxOfferDeal.M), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Ketin.d), Full List (VirusTotal)
SymptomsYour Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites.
Distribution methodsDeceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads.
DamageInternet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)

To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner.
▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac
To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

An example of a pop-up displayed due to rogue apps is '* will damage your computer. You should move it to the Trash.', which is caused by Helperamc, Hlpradc, Smbstrhlpr, Helpermcp and others. While unwanted applications do not need express user permission to infiltrate devices, they can also be promoted by various deceptive/scam web pages.

They are promoted as legitimate and useful software with a broad array of features, but despite how good these offers may sound, they are typically nonoperational. PUAs can cause serious problems. These apps are simply used to generate profit for the developers.

PUAs run intrusive advertisement campaigns, force-open all kinds of untrusted and malicious websites, hijack browsers and collect private data.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

How Do I Free Up Memory On My Mac

PUAs proliferate via the download/install set-ups of other software. The deceptive marketing method of pre-packing normal products with unwanted or malicious additions is called 'bundling'.

Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. skipping steps and sections, using pre-set options) endangers devices with potential infiltration and infections. Some PUAs have 'official' download pages. When clicked, intrusive ads can stealthily download/install PUAs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

All products should be researched before download/installation and/or purchase. Use only official and verified download channels. Download sources such as free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders are untrusted and should be avoided.

When downloading/installing, you are advised to read the terms, explore available options, use the 'Custom/Advanced' options and opt-out of all additions (apps, tools, features and so on). Intrusive ads usually seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating and others).

If you encounter these advertisements/redirects, check the system and remove all suspect applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins without delay. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Text presented in the pop-up window:

Your computer is low on memory.

To free up some memory, please close a few applications.

Another example of 'Your Computer Is Low On Memory' pop-up message:

Screenshot of a rogue installation setup, promoting applications that display 'Your computer is low on memory' pop-up:

IMPORTANT NOTE! Most rogue applications are hidden deep within the system and do not appear on any list of installed software. Therefore, the removal process might be complicated. Taking the aforementioned ScreenCapture.app as an example:

1) Navigate to the '~/Library/Application Support/.screencapture/' directory, right-click on the 'ScreenCapture' application, and select 'Show Package Contents':

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2) Navigate to the 'Contents/MacOS' directory and delete the 'ScreenCapture' application:

3) Once the previous steps are performed, the process associated with the ScreenCapture application will no longer be automatically re-started and you will be able to easily terminate it and remove the remaining application files:

4) After removing the ScreenCapture application, navigate to the '/Users/Test/Library/Application Support' directory and enable the display of hidden directories. Then, search for a directory with a dubious name (e.g., '.helper', '.dir', or similar), which contains an application called 'Finder'.

Once located, this entire directory must be deleted. Note that MacOS actually has a genuine Finder application. Yet, the malicious version has a completely different icon (typically, a Terminal logo) and criminals simply use this as a disguise:

Instant automatic Mac malware removal:Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for MacBy downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

  • STEP 1. Remove PUA related files and folders from OSX.
  • STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
  • STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
  • STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

Potentially unwanted applications removal:

Remove potentially unwanted applications from your 'Applications' folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select 'Applications'. In the applications folder, look for 'MPlayerX','NicePlayer', or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Combo Cleaner checks if your computer is infected with malware. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Remove 'your computer is low on memory' pop-up related files and folders:

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder..

Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder:

In the Go to Folder.. bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents


In the “LaunchAgents” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder:

In the Go to Folder.. bar, type: /Library/Application Support


In the “Application Support” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, “MplayerX” or “NicePlayer”, and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for adware-generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents folder:


In the Go to Folder bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents

In the “LaunchAgents” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.

Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder:


In the Go to Folder.. bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons


In the “LaunchDaemons” folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preferences.plist”, 'com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure your system is not infected run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file double click combocleaner.dmg installer, in the opened window drag and drop Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates it's virus definition database and click 'Start Combo Scan' button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays 'no threats found' - this means that you can continue with the removal guide, otherwise it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

How To Free Up Memory On My Mac

'Your computer is low on memory' pop-up removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove 'your computer is low on memory' pop-up related Safari extensions:

Open Safari browser, from the menu bar, select 'Safari' and click 'Preferences..'.

In the preferences window, select 'Extensions' and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the 'Uninstall' button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Remove 'your computer is low on memory' pop-up related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:

Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the 'Open Menu' (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose 'Add-ons'.

Choose the 'Extensions' tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the 'Remove' button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.

Free Memory On Mac

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

How To Clear Space On Mac

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Remove 'your computer is low on memory' pop-up related Google Chrome add-ons:

Open Google Chrome and click the 'Chrome menu' (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose 'More Tools' and select 'Extensions'.

In the 'Extensions' window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the 'Trash' button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.

How Do I Free Up Memory On My Mac Computer

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.