title: What's the right statistic for iOS Memory footprint. Live Bytes? Real Memory? Other?
body: <p>I'm definitely confused on this point.</p>
  
  <p>I have an iPad application that shows 'Live Bytes' usage of 6-12mb in the object allocation instrument. If I pull up the memory monitor or activity monitor, the 'Real Memory' Column consistently climbs to around 80-90mb after some serious usage.</p>
  
  <p>So do I have a normal memory footprint or a high one?</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://stackoverflow.com/a/7574959/287403">This answer</a> and <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/a/8797272/287403">this answer</a> claim you should watch 'Live Bytes' as the 'Real Memory' column shows memory blocks that have been released, but the OS hasn't yet reclaimed it.</p>
  
  <p>On the other hand, <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/a/2868881/287403">this answer</a> claims you need to pay attention to that memory monitor, as the 'Live Bytes' doesn't include things like interface elements.</p>
  
  <p><strong>What is the deal with iOS memory footprint!?</strong> :)</p>