Level 1

50 points

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 Jul 20, 2025 3:26 PM

I just now ran EtreCheckPro, and no malware was found. Here are screenshots of Activity Monitor.

Preferences are still set to the following:

Apple Intelligence: OFF

Siri: OFF

Show items In Stage Manager: Uncheck

Uninstall the Creative Cloud desktop app

Click wallpaper to reveal desktop change to Only in Stage Manager

Drag Windows to screen edges to tile: ON

Drag Windows to menu bar to fill screen: OFF

Lacie Toolkit > Settings > Launch on Startup: OFF

Brief history of audiomxd CPU Time, GB, and ports.

2025-05-07 08.21AM CPU Time 41:17:13.73 1.02 GB 45,087 Ports.

2025-05-08 12.16AM CPU Time 64:57:45.38 1.27 GB 98,198 Ports.

2025-05-09 07.39AM CPU Time 82:17:22.45 1.42 GB 119,664 Ports.

2025-05-10 08.58AM CPU Time 102:12:18.58 1.57 GB 166,991 Ports.

2025-05-12 07.45AM CPU Time 145:19:56.50 1.88 GB 258,220 Ports.

2025-05-12 10.56AM CPU Time 147:09.27.88 1.89 GB 285,523 Ports.

EtreCheckPro. Removed 2 malware launch agents.

Updated Mac Mini M4 Pro to macOS Sequoia 15.5

Updated iPhone 12 Mini to iOS 18.5

2025-05-13 05.41AM CPU Time 9:07:06.79 534.5 MB 4,971 Ports.

Activity Monitor provides an important capability in identification of apps that are experiencing concerning trends in CPU Time, memory usage, and ports.

EtreCheckPro is very useful in identification and removal of likely suspects which may be causing the concerning trends.

Thank you, BDAqua for troubleshooting this problem.

[Edited by Moderator]

View in context

201 replies

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Jul 25, 2025 3:35 PM in response to tcabq

3.5h power outage on Wednesday 2025-07-23

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-07-23 8:53 PM

2025-07-25 3:43 PM CPU Time 35:49:05.98 994.3 MB 71,832 Ports

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Jul 29, 2025 7:20 PM in response to tcabq

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-07-29 7:22 PM

2025-07-29 7:55 PM CPU Time 0.05 3.0 MB 55 Ports

2025-07-29 8:15 PM CPU Time 1:12.10 54.8 MB 1,577 Ports

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Aug 13, 2025 7:54 AM in response to tcabq

2025-08-12 2:00 PM Neighborhood power outage.

2025-08-12 2:43 PM Start Up

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-08-12 2:43 PM

2025-08-13 8:45 AM CPU Time 17:20:05.70 716.4 MB 7,617 Ports

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Sep 23, 2025 5:07 AM in response to den.thed

It may be unrelated to the audiomxd Memory growth issue, but the System Data calculation now finishes quickly.

Apple menu > General > Storage

[Edited by Moderator]

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Sep 23, 2025 5:04 AM in response to tcabq

Regarding the two brands of flash drive, the unfamiliar brand's flash drive was faster, but became very warm to touch.

pey33

Level 1

14 points

Sep 29, 2025 10:31 PM in response to tcabq

I mirrored almost everything that you did while getting very similar results. What worked for me was MacOS26 update. I have not a had a problem since

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Jun 9, 2025 5:51 PM in response to den.thed

Correction - the June 9, 2025 information was collected at 6:29PM.

2025-06-08 7:17AM CPU Time 0.07 2.9 MB 55 Ports

2025-06-08 7:42AM CPU Time 0.12 3.0 MB 55 Ports

2025-06-08 9:55AM CPU Time 1:27:10.96 237.7 MB 3,314 Ports

2025-06-09 6:29PM CPU Time 31:01:29.81 921.1 MB 6,594 Ports

Next, I'll Forget the upstairs Bluetooth Mouse running version 3.1.1.

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 13, 2025 2:19 PM in response to den.thed

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-06-13 11:04AM

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

Logged Out most of the time

2025-06-13 10.14AM CPU Time 13:25:33.91 636.9 MB 9,963 Ports

Apple menu > System Settings... > Screen Time > Communication Limits >

During Downtime > Allow Communication with: Contacts Only

Log Out.

Shut Down.

Start Up 2025-06-13 11.04AM

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-06-13 11:04AM

2025-06-13 2.21PM CPU Time 0.00 2.8 MB 55 Ports

All three measures are now decreased: CPU Time, Memory, Ports.

On May 3, 2025, this audiomxd memory growth issue was posted for the Community of Mac mini users. A Community Moderator categorized it as suitable for a, possibly broader, Community of Sequoia users.

The majority of the audiomxd memory growth occurs when Logged Out (during Screen Downtime).

Less-restrictive permutations of the following System Settings may also mitigate audiomxd memory growth:

Apple > System Settings... > General > AirDrop & Handoff

Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices: OFF

AirDrop [No One | Contacts Only | Everyone]: No One

AirPlay Receiver: OFF

Allow AirPlay for [Current User | Anyone on the Same Network | Everyone]: Current User

Apple menu > System Settings... > Screen Time > Communication Limits >

During Downtime > Allow Communication with: Contacts Only

Special acknowledgments to den.thed and BDAqua.

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Jul 6, 2025 2:26 PM in response to den.thed

macOS Sequoia is unfamiliar.

Here are three screenshots of Activity Monitor processes related to audiomxd. The other View options returned no process.

Filter Processes: audiomxd

Activity Monitor > View >

All Processes, Hierarchically

My Processes

System Processes

Other Users' Processes

Active Processes

Inactive Processes

GPU Processes

Windowed Processes

Apple menu > System Settings... > Users & Groups

There are no Guest Users.

My iPhone may be connected to this Mac mini via the iCloud, because if I delete an iPhone Reminder, then it is deleted on the Mac mini, too.

[Edited by Moderator]

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Jun 28, 2025 2:45 PM in response to tcabq

Monitoring audiomxd memory growth -

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-06-23 10:42AM

2025-06-23 10.58AM CPU Time 0.06 2.9 MB 55 Ports

2025-06-23 12.50PM CPU Time 1:36:51.94 249.0 MB 3,390 Ports

2025-06-23 3.03PM CPU Time 3:22:24.95 337.6 MB 7,752 Ports

2025-06-24 6.57AM CPU Time 18:23:05.68 733.1 MB 12,265 Ports

2025-06-24 12.52PM CPU Time 24:08:27.34 828.2 MB 29,518 Ports

2025-06-24 4.35PM CPU Time 27:18:14.56 876.1 MB 40,574 Ports

2025-06-25 6.58AM CPU Time 41:36:07.62 1.03 GB 40,578 Ports

2025-06-25 6.36PM CPU Time 51:35:29.81 1.15 GB 114,475 Ports

2025-06-26 5.41AM CPU Time 62:24:15.94 1.25 GB 127,171 Ports

2025-06-26 3.24PM CPU Time 71:35:38.54 1.34 GB 155,207 Ports

2025-06-27 6.58AM CPU Time 86:54:51.69 1.47 GB 169,520 Ports

2025-06-27 10.53AM CPU Time 88:29:23.29 1.48 GB 184,937 Ports

2025-06-27 2.08PM CPU Time 91:20:43.53 1.51 GB 200,539 Ports

2025-06-28 5.05AM CPU Time 105:46:01.07 1.63 GB 263,458 Ports

2025-06-28 10.09AM CPU Time 2:53:34.28 314.9 MB 3,813 Ports

2025-06-28 3.26PM CPU Time 6:05:53.89 442.4 MB 18,496 Ports

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Jun 30, 2025 6:05 AM in response to tcabq

Monitoring audiomxd memory growth -

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-06-23 10:42AM

2025-06-23 10:58AM CPU Time 0.06 2.9 MB 55 Ports

2025-06-23 12:50PM CPU Time 1:36:51.94 249.0 MB 3,390 Ports

2025-06-23 3:03PM CPU Time 3:22:24.95 337.6 MB 7,752 Ports

2025-06-24 6:57AM CPU Time 18:23:05.68 733.1 MB 12,265 Ports

2025-06-24 12:52PM CPU Time 24:08:27.34 828.2 MB 29,518 Ports

2025-06-24 4:35PM CPU Time 27:18:14.56 876.1 MB 40,574 Ports

2025-06-25 6:58AM CPU Time 41:36:07.62 1.03 GB 40,578 Ports

2025-06-25 6:36PM CPU Time 51:35:29.81 1.15 GB 114,475 Ports

2025-06-26 5:41AM CPU Time 62:24:15.94 1.25 GB 127,171 Ports

2025-06-26 3:24PM CPU Time 71:35:38.54 1.34 GB 155,207 Ports

2025-06-27 6:58AM CPU Time 86:54:51.69 1.47 GB 169,520 Ports

2025-06-27 10:53AM CPU Time 88:29:23.29 1.48 GB 184,937 Ports

2025-06-27 2:08PM CPU Time 91:20:43.53 1.51 GB 200,539 Ports

2025-06-28 5:05AM CPU Time 105:46:01.07 1.63 GB 263,458 Ports

2025-06-28 10:09AM CPU Time 2:53:34.28 314.9 MB 3,813 Ports

2025-06-28 3:26PM CPU Time 6:05:53.89 442.4 MB 18,496 Ports

2025-06-29 7:13AM CPU Time 21:27:09.22 783.8 MB 18,497 Ports

2025-06-29 10:52AM CPU Time 24:00:30.03 824.8 MB 27,906 Ports

2025-06-29 6:54PM CPU Time 31:52:34.31 935.6 MB 37,499 Ports

2025-06-30 5:21AM CPU Time 40:57:26.90 1.02 GB 47,351 Ports

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Jul 2, 2025 5:17 AM in response to tcabq

Monitoring audiomxd memory growth -

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-06-23 10:42AM

2025-06-23 10:58AM CPU Time 0.06 2.9 MB 55 Ports

2025-06-23 12:50PM CPU Time 1:36:51.94 249.0 MB 3,390 Ports

2025-06-23 3:03PM CPU Time 3:22:24.95 337.6 MB 7,752 Ports

2025-06-24 6:57AM CPU Time 18:23:05.68 733.1 MB 12,265 Ports

2025-06-24 12:52PM CPU Time 24:08:27.34 828.2 MB 29,518 Ports

2025-06-24 4:35PM CPU Time 27:18:14.56 876.1 MB 40,574 Ports

2025-06-25 6:58AM CPU Time 41:36:07.62 1.03 GB 40,578 Ports

2025-06-25 6:36PM CPU Time 51:35:29.81 1.15 GB 114,475 Ports

2025-06-26 5:41AM CPU Time 62:24:15.94 1.25 GB 127,171 Ports

2025-06-26 3:24PM CPU Time 71:35:38.54 1.34 GB 155,207 Ports

2025-06-27 6:58AM CPU Time 86:54:51.69 1.47 GB 169,520 Ports

2025-06-27 10:53AM CPU Time 88:29:23.29 1.48 GB 184,937 Ports

2025-06-27 2:08PM CPU Time 91:20:43.53 1.51 GB 200,539 Ports

2025-06-28 5:05AM CPU Time 105:46:01.07 1.63 GB 263,458 Ports

2025-06-28 10:09AM CPU Time 2:53:34.28 314.9 MB 3,813 Ports

2025-06-28 3:26PM CPU Time 6:05:53.89 442.4 MB 18,496 Ports

2025-06-29 7:13AM CPU Time 21:27:09.22 783.8 MB 18,497 Ports

2025-06-29 10:52AM CPU Time 24:00:30.03 824.8 MB 27,906 Ports

2025-06-29 6:54PM CPU Time 31:52:34.31 935.6 MB 37,499 Ports

2025-06-30 5:21AM CPU Time 40:57:26.90 1.02 GB 47,351 Ports

2025-06-30 12:37PM CPU Time 46:21:41.45 1.09 GB 68,583 Ports

2025-06-30 4:24PM CPU Time 49:47:14.85 1.13 GB 90,409 Ports

2025-07-01 6:42AM CPU Time 63:42:07.09 1.27 GB 102,286 Ports

2025-07-01 5:54PM CPU Time 72:29:31.63 1.36 GB 151,041 Ports

2025-07-02 5:55AM CPU Time 83:00:59.58 1.45 GB 176,776 Ports

tcabq Author

Level 1

50 points

Jul 2, 2025 10:00 AM in response to tcabq

Activity Monitor history of the audiomxd process indicates that the audiomxd process ended then restarted. The Mac mini M4 Pro macOS 15.5 Sequoia has been running continuously for 8 days without any Shut Down or Restart.

-----

https://superuser.com/questions/1706964/macos-activity-monitor-what-is-the-starting-time-for-cpu-time#:~:text=CPU%20Time%20starts%20when%20the,the%20process%20and%20restarting%20it.

macOS Activity Monitor - what is the starting time for CPU Time?

CPU Time starts when the process is launched and accumulates as the process uses the CPU.

It cannot be reset, except by ending the process and restarting it.

-----

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=does+apple+macOS+15+Sequoia+Activity+Monitor+reset+the+CPU+Time+of+audiomxd+to+zero+while+the+when+audiomxd+holds+onto+allocated+memory%3F&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

AI Overview

Activity Monitor in macOS 15 Sequoia (and other macOS versions) does not automatically reset the CPU Time of the audiomxd process to zero just because it's holding onto allocated memory.

Here's why:

CPU Time accumulates: CPU Time in Activity Monitor represents the total CPU usage by a process since it launched. It's a running total, not a real-time snapshot.

Resetting requires a restart: The CPU Time counter for a process is only reset to zero when the process is terminated and relaunched. This typically happens during a system restart or when you manually quit the process.

Memory allocation and CPU time are different: Memory allocation indicates the amount of memory a process is using, while CPU Time indicates the amount of processing time it has consumed. One doesn't automatically reset the other.

Monitoring audiomxd memory growth -

audiomxd activity after Start Up 2025-06-23 10:42AM

2025-06-23 10:58AM CPU Time 0.06 2.9 MB 55 Ports

2025-06-23 12:50PM CPU Time 1:36:51.94 249.0 MB 3,390 Ports

2025-06-23 3:03PM CPU Time 3:22:24.95 337.6 MB 7,752 Ports

2025-06-24 6:57AM CPU Time 18:23:05.68 733.1 MB 12,265 Ports

2025-06-24 12:52PM CPU Time 24:08:27.34 828.2 MB 29,518 Ports

2025-06-24 4:35PM CPU Time 27:18:14.56 876.1 MB 40,574 Ports

2025-06-25 6:58AM CPU Time 41:36:07.62 1.03 GB 40,578 Ports

2025-06-25 6:36PM CPU Time 51:35:29.81 1.15 GB 114,475 Ports

2025-06-26 5:41AM CPU Time 62:24:15.94 1.25 GB 127,171 Ports

2025-06-26 3:24PM CPU Time 71:35:38.54 1.34 GB 155,207 Ports

2025-06-27 6:58AM CPU Time 86:54:51.69 1.47 GB 169,520 Ports

2025-06-27 10:53AM CPU Time 88:29:23.29 1.48 GB 184,937 Ports

2025-06-27 2:08PM CPU Time 91:20:43.53 1.51 GB 200,539 Ports

2025-06-28 5:05AM CPU Time 105:46:01.07 1.63 GB 263,458 Ports

2025-06-28 10:09AM CPU Time 2:53:34.28 314.9 MB 3,813 Ports

2025-06-28 3:26PM CPU Time 6:05:53.89 442.4 MB 18,496 Ports

2025-06-29 7:13AM CPU Time 21:27:09.22 783.8 MB 18,497 Ports

2025-06-29 10:52AM CPU Time 24:00:30.03 824.8 MB 27,906 Ports

2025-06-29 6:54PM CPU Time 31:52:34.31 935.6 MB 37,499 Ports

2025-06-30 5:21AM CPU Time 40:57:26.90 1.02 GB 47,351 Ports

2025-06-30 12:37PM CPU Time 46:21:41.45 1.09 GB 68,583 Ports

2025-06-30 4:24PM CPU Time 49:47:14.85 1.13 GB 90,409 Ports

2025-07-01 6:42AM CPU Time 63:42:07.09 1.27 GB 102,286 Ports

2025-07-01 5:54PM CPU Time 72:29:31.63 1.36 GB 151,041 Ports

2025-07-02 5:55AM CPU Time 83:00:59.58 1.45 GB 176,776 Ports

2025-07-02 10:24AM CPU Time 86:22:43.51 1.48 GB 190,289 Ports

audiomxd high memory allocation port allocation CPU time