Why is half my RAM being used when no app is running

[wheeler4747]

Why is half my RAM being used when no apps are running; plus used RAM often goes "up" after I go in and clear out the cache of all the apps... I have 3GB of RAM and can never seem to get it below 1.3 being used. I have a brand new Samsung A12 and hardly anything loaded to it except for one game and Norton beyond the proprietary apps. How can I get it lower than 1.3 RAM being used?

 

[L0n3N1nja]

Simply put because Android is using it for various things in the background to provide you as smooth of an experience as possible. Android doesn't handle RAM anything like a Windows PC, it keeps files stored in RAM that it thinks it needs and will automatically remove files to make space for other files when you run apps. Repeatedly clearing your RAM will actually reduce performance and battery life as Android will just repopulate the RAM with files again.

This article offers some explanation.
https://www.androidauthority.com/reduce-ram-usage-android-869298/

 

[Kizzy Catwoman]

Hi there, for starters ditch Norton. You don't need it and it is a resource hog. Those anti virus for Android apps are just snake oil. If you install apps from a reliable source like the Play Store you should be safe from viruses. The Play Store comes with built in protection through Play Protect.

The RAM is used by system apps running in the background that keeps your phone functioning in standby state. As you have a Samsung you may be able to get stats through the digital wellbeing or device care apps.

 

[B. Diddy]

This is also a good classic article written by Jerry Hidenbrand: https://www.androidcentral.com/ram-what-it-how-its-used-and-why-you-shouldnt-care

 

[mustang7757]

System apps need to run and use ram