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audiomxd high memory allocation port allocation CPU time

Apple Community.

audiomxd Memory and CPU screenshots

In February 2025, I bought a Mac Mini then migrated from my iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015) to my current Mac Mini M4 Pro. The Mac Mini is probably running Rosetta.

About: Mac Mini 2024 M4 Pro. 64 GB Memory. macOS Sequoia 15.4.1. Apple Pro Display XDR with NO MICROPHONE and NO SPEAKER. No Audio app. No VST plugins.

The Apple Pro Display XDR is connected with an Apple Thunderbolt 5 cable to one of the three Thunderbolt 5 ports in back.

An external Lacie backup drive is connected with an Apple Thunderbolt 4 cable to one of the three Thunderbolt 5 ports in back. Time Machine backs up the Mac Mini M4 Pro once a week.

Feedback - Mac mini - Apple

Feedback report 6 on the audiomdx memory leak.

2025-04-26 12.23PM 1.36 GB 102,386 Ports.

2025-04-27 10.14AM 1.52 GB 130,067 Ports.

On 2025.04.27 I changed some settings then Shut Down.

Apple > System Settings > Apple Intelligence and Siri >

Apple Intelligence: OFF

Siri: OFF

Adobe Elements 2021 Organizer > Preferences > Media-Analysis >

Generate Auto Creations: OFF.

On 2025.04.29 I uninstalled an Adobe desktop app the Shut Down.

https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-creative-cloud-desktop-app.html

Uninstall the Creative Cloud desktop app

On 25.05.02 I changed some settings then Shut Down.

Sequoia is moving my windows off the scre… - Apple Community

Settings > Desktop & Dock > Click wallpaper to reveal desktop change to Only in Stage Manager

Settings > Desktop & Dock > Drag Windows to screen edges to tile OFF

Settings > Desktop & Dock > Drag Windows to menu bar to fill screen OFF

On 2025.05.03 here are Activity Monitor screenshots of CPU Time and of Memory Allocation.

2025.05.03 12:49 PM audiomxd CPU Time 20:02:08.10

2025.05.03 12:49 PM audiomxd Memory 770.2 MB 39,904 Ports.

Usually, I Logout after each time I use the Mac Mini.

Occasionally, I only Lock the Screen.

Why is Memory allocated, but not freed after closing the app that was using the Memory?

Why does audiomxd need an ever-increasing Memory Allocation to manage the internal speaker on a Mac Mini? I have no external speaker or microphone.

[Edited by Moderator]

Mac mini, macOS 15.4

Posted on May 3, 2025 12:16 PM

Top-ranking reply

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Posted on Jun 12, 2025 12:53 PM

Thank you, den.thed, for the excellent descriptions. Given the growing amount of memory allocated and of the growing number of ports opened, it appears that processes or services or apps are CHECKING IN, but they are NOT CHECKING OUT.

Previous reports from EtreCheckPro mentioned the following kernel extension:

Kernel Extensions:

/Applications/Toolkit.app

[Not Loaded] SeagateDiskService.kext - com.seagate.IOSED01 (67.0 - SDK 10.10)

I just now removed it and rebooted.

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-06-11 2:35PM

Logged Out most of the time between samples unless otherwise indicated.

2025-06-11 4:00PM CPU Time 1:19:32.28 230.3 MB 3,260 Ports

2025-06-12 9:51AM CPU Time 18:51:17.30 740.1 MB 3,262 Ports

Logged Out.

Printed a few pages from iPhone to nearby AirPrint printer.

Just now Logged In and launched Activity Monitor.

2025-06-12 11:13AM CPU Time 19:49:13.29 760.5 MB 18,527 Ports

2025-06-12 12:10PM CPU Time 20:22:36.66 771.7 MB 26,335 Ports

Uninstalled LaCie Seagate Toolkit.

https://www.seagate.com/support/kb/lacie/uninstalling-toolkit/

In the top left, click on the Apple icon

Click on System Settings

In the left-hand window, scroll towards the bottom and locate Toolkit

Click the Toolkit icon then click uninstall

Finder Search: This Mac "Macintosh HD" > Search "LaCie"

Removed

LaCieToolkit.zip

Logged Out.

Shut Down.

Moved Mac Mini back to original location.

Start Up 2025-06-12 1:01 PM.

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-06-12 1:01PM

Logged Out most of the time between samples unless otherwise indicated.

2025-06-12 1:19PM CPU Time 14:50.00 130.2 MB 2,450 Ports

EtreCheckPro report 2025-06-12 13.26.16

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201 replies

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Jul 27, 2025 5:45 AM in response to tcabq

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-07-26 1:59 PM

2025-07-26 2:10 PM CPU Time 0.06 2.8 MB 55 Ports

2025-07-26 2:24 PM CPU Time 0.08 2.9 MB 54 Ports

2025-07-26 5:39 PM CPU Time 2:03:44.35 273.3 MB 3,552 Ports

2025-07-27 6:08 AM CPU Time 14:21:51.87 656.7 MB 8,594 Ports

audiomxd memory growth seems unnecessarily large, because the only audio connected to the Mac mini M4 Pro is its own internal speaker. The external LaCie backup drive has no audio input or output and the Apple Pro Display XDR has no camera, no microphone, and no speaker.

There is little to no audiomxd memory growth while Logged In. The audiomxd memory growth occurs chiefly during the periods when I am Logged Out.

It may be unrelated, but System Data continues calculating for hours. I have never seen it finish.

Apple Menu > System Settings... > General > Storage > System Data: Calculating

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Aug 18, 2025 5:11 AM in response to tcabq

The audiomxd history scatter charts posted on Aug 17, 2025 8:30 AM are similar to the first few days of a pattern seen in the audiomxd history scatter charts posted on Jul 5, 2025 7:37 AM. In that post, the second Memory allocation peak is greater than the first.

2025-07-03 7:26PM CPU Time 116:56:01.38 1.73 GB 288,112 Ports

If that pattern were to continue for a few months, then it's possible that audiomxd may allocate 2 GB of Memory for itself. The only audio equipment connected to my Mac mini is its own internal speaker. The only devices connected to my Apple Mac mini are:

1. Apple Pro Display XDR -- no microphone, no speaker, no camera

2. LaCie external backup drive -- no microphone, no speaker

Why did audiomxd need 1.73 GB of Memory and 288,112 Ports to operate one internal speaker?

Migrate from a recent Time Machine Backup WITHOUT: Other Files & Folders, System & Network

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-08-17 08:23 PM

2025-08-17 08:57 PM CPU Time 0.07 2.8 MB 54 Ports

2025-08-18 05:38 AM CPU Time 8:27:19.04 517.7 MB 4,887 Ports

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Oct 12, 2025 4:44 AM in response to tcabq

The NewUserName continues to experience no audiomxd issues.

The unidentified troublesome files had probably been migrated into /Macintosh HD/Users/OldUserName/Library/.

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-09-17 11:35 AM

2025-09-25 7:38 AM CPU Time 109:38:59.84 4.1 MB 175 Ports

2025-09-25 3:41 PM CPU Time 112:35:18.44 4.1 MB 174 Ports

2025-09-26 7:20 AM CPU Time 123:28:39.13 4.1 MB 174 Ports

2025-09-26 3:31 PM CPU Time 127:38:29.07 4.1 MB 173 Ports

2025-09-27 7:10 AM CPU Time 127:38:29.43 4.1 MB 173 Ports

2025-09-27 2:01 PM CPU Time 130:52:40.53 4.2 MB 176 Ports

2025-09-27 4:45 PM CPU Time 130:58:00.04 4.1 MB 174 Ports

2025-09-28 11:15 AM CPU Time 144:16:56.13 4.1 MB 173 Ports

2025-09-29 11:59 AM CPU Time 161:18:55.47 4.1 MB 175 Ports

2025-09-30 6:34 AM CPU Time 13:21:31.30 3.9 MB 175 Ports

2025-10-01 5:16 AM CPU Time 29:38:03.51 3.9 MB 176 Ports

2025-10-01 1:06 PM CPU Time 29:38:03.86 3.9 MB 177 Ports

2025-10-02 12:52 PM CPU Time 43:19:01.58 4.0 MB 176 Ports

2025-10-12 5:22 AM CPU Time 175:08:45.33 4.1 MB 175 Ports

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

May 12, 2025 9:51 AM in response to tcabq

Any clues under files & ports?

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

May 9, 2025 3:27 PM in response to BDAqua

When I searched Activity Monitor for "Audacity" or "_audacity", nothing was found.

A possible cause of the growing audiomxd memory usage might be Siri, so I'll enable Siri for the next few days. [If Siri has to listen for "Hey Siri", then would Siri ask audiomxd to open a port? If so, then what happens if there is no microphone?]

Apple > System Settings > Apple Intelligence and Siri >

Siri: ON

den.thed

Level 10

90,814 points

May 19, 2025 12:12 PM in response to tcabq

1) The Epson ET-4850 is AirPrint compatible and does not require installing any Epson driver or tool software.

About AirPrint - Apple Support

Uninstall the Epson driver and tool software as per Epson Support. Restart and recheck the Activity monitor.

https://files.support.epson.com/docid/cpd5/cpd58814/source/troubleshooting/tasks/uninstalling_mac_spc_printer.html

2) It looks like the 15.4 and/or 15.4.1 software updates broke or did something to Amazon Music and GPG whatever it is.

If those two things are still giving you problems, uninstall them and/or contact the developer for support.

den.thed

Level 10

90,814 points

May 24, 2025 8:12 AM in response to tcabq

You need to take some other measures in order to sort out the problem.

Mac's do not require third party AV, Protection, Cleaning or VPN to stay safe.

see > macOS - Security - Apple

1) I never heard of the GPG Suite, but it looks like protection ware that has totally invaded your Mac mini.

Uninstall GPG as per the developers instruction and test for a day or two.

2) I never hear of SENA, but it looks like it is some type of audio device paring manager.

Uninstall SENA as per the developers instruction and test for a day or two.

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

May 26, 2025 3:58 PM in response to tcabq

Time Machine performed a weekly backup on 2025-05-26 at 1:02 PM. Perhaps, it's related to the increase in Ports.

Also, I launched Apple Music and Amazon Music and synced my iPhone and backed up my iPhone to iCloud and to the Mac Mini. Both of those Music apps may have used audiomxd.

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Jul 20, 2025 3:33 PM in response to tcabq

audiomxd activity after startup at 12:40 PM Sunday 2025-05-25

2025-05-25 1:35PM CPU Time 48:02.88 189.3 MB 2,960 Ports

2025-05-25 3:50PM CPU Time 48:03.70 189.4 MB 2,959 Ports

2025-05-26 7:25AM CPU Time 15:51:04.50 684.0 MB 2,961 Ports

2025-05-26 1:30PM CPU Time 20:08:59.49 764.1 MB 25,818 Ports

2025-05-26 3:58PM CPU Time 20:09:02.76 764.1 MB 25,820 Ports

2025-05-27 8:18AM CPU Time 35:23:58.33 979.9 MB 35,137 Ports

2025-05-28 6:14AM CPU Time 56:08:04.12 1.18 GB 64,688 Ports

2025-05-28 2:33PM CPU Time 62:17:24.90 1.25 GB 90,057 Ports

2025-05-29 6:45AM CPU Time 77:59:44.71 1.38 GB 90,083 Ports

2025-05-29 9:43AM CPU Time 80:45:05.48 1.40 GB 102,914 Ports

2025-05-30 10:27AM CPU Time 103:12:07.47 1.59 GB 169,999 Ports

2025-05-30 10:46AM CPU Time 103:14:15.34 1.59 GB 184,332 Ports

2025-05-31 6:11AM CPU Time 120:35:03.76 1.72 GB 228,144 Ports

2025-06-01 10:04AM CPU Time 14:54:35.52 667.1 MB 5,539 Ports

The unexpected decrease in CPU Time, Memory, and Ports may indicate trouble.

EtreCheckPro indicates a Major Issue.

EtreCheckPro report 2025-06-01 10:12:36

[Edited by Moderator]

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Jun 2, 2025 4:14 PM in response to den.thed

I just now removed more old software apps, including Amazon Music app and Movai video converter, then restarted.

Startup: Monday 2025-06-02 16:50

Here's a new EtreCheckPro report.

EtreCheckPro report 2025-06-02 16.55.33.txt

EtreCheckPro report 2025-06-02 16.55.33

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Jun 12, 2025 9:11 AM in response to tcabq

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-06-10 4:16PM

Logged Out most of the time between samples unless otherwise indicated.

2025-06-10 6:15PM CPU Time 0.06 2.8 MB 55 Ports

2025-06-10 6:45PM CPU Time 59.21 50.6 MB 2,949 Ports

2025-06-11 5:52AM CPU Time 10:58:56.46 583.6 MB 8,377 Ports

2025-06-11 12:53PM CPU Time 16:24:33.65 701.3 MB 25,755 Ports

Finder > Search "Audacity"

Removed all files with "Audacity" in their name except a screenshot and two text files.

Audacity search 2025-06-11 at 2.25.45 PM.jpg

Uninstall Audacity.txt

Audacity macOS installer.txt

Logged Out.

Shut Down.

Moved Mac Mini about 1 foot closer to mouse.

Start Up 2025-06-11 2:35PM.

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-06-11 2:35PM

Logged Out most of the time between samples unless otherwise indicated.

2025-06-11 4:00PM CPU Time 1:19:32.28 230.3 MB 3,260 Ports

2025-06-12 9:51AM CPU Time 18:51:17.30 740.1 MB 3,262 Ports

Mac Mini M4 Pro macOS 15.5

Bluetooth is continually searching for Nearby Devices.

Bluetooth mouse version 3.1.4

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Jul 6, 2025 2:41 PM in response to den.thed

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-06-12 7:14PM

2025-06-13 7.57AM CPU Time 12:34:15.59 618.3 MB 5,334 Ports

Logged In continuously between 7:57AM and 9:13AM

2025-06-13 9.13AM CPU Time 12:34:19.92 618.3 MB 5,333 Ports

Apple menu > System Settings... > Sound > Input

No audio input devices found

Apple menu > System Settings... > Sound > Output

Mac mini Speakers Built-in

Streaming Stick 4K AirPlay

Master TV AirPlay

The Mac mini found NO AUDIO INPUT devices. Most likely, the Mac mini is NOT allocating memory or opening ports to communicate with a non-existent microphone.

The Mac mini found THREE AUDIO OUTPUT devices: Mac mini Speakers, Streaming Stick 4K, Master TV. The possibility exists that audiomxd may be using CPU Time or allocating memory or opening ports in case I decide to communicate with the Streaming Stick 4K or the Master TV.

The Streaming Stick 4K is a ROKU device plugged into a TV in a separate room about 15-20 feet away. Is there any way to ask macOS 15.5 to FORGET that those two audio output devices exist?

[Edited by Moderator]

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Jun 19, 2025 1:07 PM in response to tcabq

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-06-18 01:32PM

2025-06-18 1.51PM CPU Time 0.07 2.9 MB 55 Ports

2025-06-18 4.47PM CPU Time 39:09.62 184.0 MB 2,915 Ports

2025-06-18 8.26PM CPU Time 4:08:50.65 370.5 MB 8,690 Ports

2025-06-19 6.59AM CPU Time 14:36:53.12 665.5 MB 15,241 Ports

2025-06-19 10.18AM CPU Time 14:37:20.26 666.7 MB 18,679 Ports

Screen Locked between 2025-06-19 06.59AM and 2025-06-19 10.18AM

Dragging old apps to Trash did not remove every related system file; so, I just now removed additional system files related to the following software:

Adobe

Amazon Music

Audacity

Google

GPG

Movavi

Mozilla Firefox

Printshop

Start Up 2025-06-19 12:47PM.

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Jun 19, 2025 7:32 PM in response to tcabq

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-06-19 12:47PM

2025-06-19 6.25PM CPU Time 0.07 2.8 MB 58 Ports

2025-06-19 8.22PM CPU Time 1:47:00.70 258.4 MB 3,454 Ports

After about two hours on the different Wi-Fi, the audiomxd memory trend appears to be increasing. This likely means that the audio output AirPlay devices sharing the previous Wi-fi network were not a factor.

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Jul 4, 2025 6:49 AM in response to den.thed

Here are a few scatter charts of audiomxd memory growth after Start Up 2025-06-23 10:42AM. During this period, the audiomxd process has ended and begun twice.

When the audiomxd process ends, CPU Time and Ports each appear to have been set to zero.

When the process ends, Memory MAY NOT have been set to zero. That is, whatever is supposed to free allocated Memory when the audiomxd process ends, MAY NOT have freed all the memory that audiomxd allocated.

I'm logged out most of the time between sampling Activity Monitor measurements.

I have no speaker in my monitor and the Mac mini M4 Pro has only its internal speaker.

audiomxd history scatter charts.jpg

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

audiomxd high memory allocation port allocation CPU time