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eliad23357438f8p0
January 19, 2026
Question

High RAM usage in Photoshop on Apple Silicon (no files open)

  • January 19, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 111 views
Hi,
I’m experiencing very high RAM usage in Photoshop on an Apple Silicon Mac. Photoshop consumes around 40GB of RAM immediately on launch, even with no documents open.
I’m using a MacBook Pro M3 with 96GB RAM. The issue started around the time I installed a variable font, though it continues even after removing the font.
I’ve updated macOS and Photoshop to the latest versions, reset Photoshop preferences, cleared cache files, tested in macOS Safe Mode, and spoken with Adobe Support (including a remote session). The issue also occurs in older Photoshop versions.
This looks like a possible memory leak, and I’m not sure how to troubleshoot it further. I’ve attached screenshots showing Photoshop’s memory usage in Activity Monitor with no documents open, along with my system specs.
Thanks.

3 replies

Sameer K
Community Manager
Sameer KCommunity Manager
Community Manager
January 19, 2026

Hey, @eliad23357438f8p0. Welcome to the Photoshop Community. I'll need more info to help you figure this out. Please share the system information by opening Photoshop Help > System Info, copying it, and then pasting it into a text document. Next, upload the document and attach it here. 

 

Does this happen with documents of all sizes? You can go to the location of the preference folder below and rename it to back it up. (https://adobe.ly/3u7u84j)

This method is more effective compared to the in-app Reset Preferences at quit method. 

 

macOS: Hold down the Option key in the Finder when using the Go menu. The library will appear below the current user's home directory.

Library > Preferences > Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings

Rename the Adobe Photoshop folder by adding a .old at the end. (Adobe Photoshop 2026 > Rename > Adobe Photoshop 2026.old)

 

This will give Photoshop a fresh start as a new installation.

 

Let me know if it helps. Thanks!
Sameer K

(Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

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eliad23357438f8p0Author
January 19, 2026

Thank you very much, renaming the folder did help! Is there an easy way to restore all my previous preferences?

Sameer K
Community Manager
Sameer KCommunity Manager
Community Manager
January 19, 2026

Great news, @eliad23357438f8p0. Glad to know it worked. 

If you've followed the steps correctly, the folder that you renamed should still have the preferences as a backup. You can manually copy the preferences to the new folder that was created when you launched Photoshop.

Head here to learn more: https://adobe.ly/45lroA9;

 

Thanks!
Sameer K
(Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

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