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macOS Optimization

macOS Optimization

Section titled “macOS Optimization”

Maximize Plex performance on your Mac.

Hardware Transcoding

Section titled “Hardware Transcoding”

Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3)

Section titled “Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3)”

Apple Silicon provides excellent transcoding:

  • VideoToolbox for H.264/HEVC encoding
  • Low power consumption
  • Efficient for multiple streams
  1. Ensure Plex Pass is active
  2. Settings → Transcoder
  3. Enable hardware acceleration

Intel Macs

Section titled “Intel Macs”
  • Quick Sync available on most Intel Macs
  • Ensure integrated GPU is not disabled

Database on SSD

Section titled “Database on SSD”

Keep the database on fast storage:

Terminal window
# Check current location
ls -la ~/Library/Application\ Support/Plex\ Media\ Server/Plug-in\ Support/Databases/

Memory Management

Section titled “Memory Management”

Check Usage

Section titled “Check Usage”
Terminal window
# Monitor Plex memory
ps aux | grep -i plex

Clear Cache

Section titled “Clear Cache”
Terminal window
# Stop Plex first
rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Plex\ Media\ Server/Cache/Transcode/*

Energy Settings

Section titled “Energy Settings”

Prevent Sleep

Section titled “Prevent Sleep”

System Preferences → Energy Saver:

  • Disable “Put hard disks to sleep”
  • Enable “Prevent computer from sleeping automatically”

Or via Terminal:

Terminal window
# Prevent sleep
sudo pmset -a sleep 0
sudo pmset -a disksleep 0

Network Optimization

Section titled “Network Optimization”
  • Use Gigabit Ethernet when possible
  • Configure QoS on router for port 32400

Monitoring

Section titled “Monitoring”
Terminal window
# CPU and memory usage
top -pid $(pgrep "Plex Media Server")


# Network activity
nettop -p $(pgrep "Plex Media Server")

Next Steps

Section titled “Next Steps”