Leaving Too Many Apps Open

It’s easy to leave apps open all day because macOS handles multitasking well. You might have Mail, Slack, Spotify, Chrome, and half a dozen other apps running at the same time. Sure, you might not be actively using them, but they are probably still doing something in the background.

Some apps check for updates, sync files, refresh content, or keep background processes active. Others may use memory or CPU resources even when they’re hidden behind another window. The more apps you keep open, the harder your Mac will have to work.

This is especially noticeable on older MacBooks or models with less memory. If your Mac starts feeling warm, sluggish, or unusually loud, background apps may be part of the problem. Apple silicon MacBooks are good, but they’re not magic.

Get into the habit of quitting apps you aren’t using with Command + Q instead of just closing the window. You can also open the Activity Monitor app and check the Energy tab to see which apps are using the most power. If one app keeps showing high energy impact, it’s worth closing or replacing it.