Apps freezing or crashing after switching between users.

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Level 1

30 points

Apps freezing or crashing after switching between users.

I recently bought a Mac Studio max M1. I have two users, one for work the other for leisure to keep files separate, which has been working perfectly, however I have come across an anomaly: When I've been working for hours in Photoshop, I quit logout and return to my main user, I find that some Applications which were left open (Messages, Safari, Mail) have become unresponsive and I have to force quit them and in some cases, I've had to restart my Mac Studio.

I often had restart my MacMini M1, but put it down to lack of RAM as it would grind to a halt.

I hope Apple has a fix.

Mac Studio, macOS 13.3

Posted on Apr 10, 2023 10:04 AM

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Answer 1

macmack Author

Level 1

30 points

Apr 12, 2023 2:01 AM in response to Jeff_W.

Thanks Jeff, Unfortunately I have tried all Apple MacOS 101, which I should have stated before the question.

I've been working on Macs since 1990, but since I joined the "Community" only recently, I have a level 1 status which is misleading, but thanks anyway, my Mac is up to date etc.

The problem I have, I'm sure is something to do with the new Apple Silicon M1 chip's way of managing RAM and/or Virtual Memory.

I think because I'm often working on several (18-20) Photoshop files at a time with perhaps up to 20 layers each, it's taxing the management of RAM to the extent that the Mac has to read/write many gigabytes to disc when the RAM is full. In the past when these files were closed and I quit Photoshop, the RAM I imagine was purged and free for other apps to use, including those open in other users. It would appear now, that the Mac is not releasing the RAM or not purging completely and when I change user, the apps which were open, freeze in the state they were previously saved to disc, before I switched user.

However this is my speculation, I just wondered if anyone else experienced this and if there was a way of restoring it without a restart. Thanks again Jeff (Macmack)

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Answer 2

Jeff_W.

Community Specialist

Apr 11, 2023 2:51 PM in response to macmack

Hi macmac,

Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities. We understand that when you switch users some apps that you had previously left open are now unresponsive. We recommend making sure you're updated to the latest version of macOS since the apps you mentioned are Apple apps. Here's how to back up and update if needed: Update macOS on Mac.

"Before following these steps, it's a good idea to back up your Mac.

From the Apple menu  in the corner of your screen, choose System Settings or System Preferences.

If you chose System Settings, click General on the left side of the window. Then click Software Update on the right.
If you chose System Preferences, click Software Update in the window.

2. Software Update then checks for new software.

If Software Update finds new software, click the button to install it. The button might be named Update Now, Upgrade Now, Install Now, or Restart Now, for example. You might then be asked to enter your administrator password.
If Software Update says that your Mac is up to date, then no new software is currently available for your Mac model. Software Update shows only software that is compatible with your Mac."

You may also want to check your disk for errors by running First Aid in Disk Utility. Here are the steps if needed: Repair a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac.

Cheers!

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Apps freezing or crashing after switching between users.

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