How to read Activity Monitor on a Mac, tab by tab
What each Activity Monitor tab tells you, from CPU and Memory to Energy, Disk and Network, and the one column to sort by in each.
What does each Activity Monitor tab show?
| Tab | Sort by | Look for |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | % CPU | A process high while idle |
| Memory | Memory | Pressure graph yellow or red |
| Energy | Energy Impact | What drains the battery |
| Disk | Bytes Written | Unexpected heavy writing |
| Network | Rcvd Bytes | Background downloads |
How do I see all processes?
View, All Processes. The default view hides system processes, which are often the busy ones.
What should I ignore?
Memory used being high, and kernel_task taking CPU when the Mac is warm. Memory explained and kernel_task cover both.
Common questions
How do I show all processes in Activity Monitor?
View, All Processes.
What is the most important tab in Activity Monitor?
The one matching your symptom: CPU for heat and fans, Energy for battery, Memory for slowdowns.