What is Steam on Mac?
By Junaid, maker of Taskglass · Last reviewed
The Steam gaming client; Steam Helper processes draw its web-based interface.
steam_osx is the Steam client on Mac, and Steam Helper processes render Steam's store, library and community pages, which are web-based. Steam Helper can use noticeable CPU with animated profiles and store pages, and when the in-game overlay is active.
- Category
- Third-party
- Made by
- Valve
- Safe to quit:
- Yes
Shown in Activity Monitor as steam_osx, Steam Helper, Steam
Why is Steam using so much CPU or memory?
- Store or library pages with animations and video
- Animated avatars and profile effects
- Downloads or updates, which also verify files
- In-game overlay
What to do
- 1Minimise the Steam window when gaming
- 2Turn off animated avatars in Steam settings
- 3Pause downloads you don't need right now
- 4Quit Steam when not gaming (Steam menu > Quit Steam)
Safe to quit? Yes.
Safe to quit; downloads pause and games launched from Steam may close.
Related processes
Part of the Taskglass Process Library