macOS processes › Photos and media
What is cloudphotod on Mac?
cloudphotod syncs your photos and videos with iCloud Photos. It uploads new items, downloads ones added on other devices, and keeps edits in step.
What it does
When iCloud Photos is on, cloudphotod moves originals and smaller versions between your Mac and iCloud. With Optimize Mac Storage selected, it keeps smaller versions on the Mac and downloads originals when you open them. It works with photolibraryd, which manages the library itself.
Why it gets busy
- A first sync of a large library, or turning iCloud Photos back on.
- Importing many photos or long videos, which then upload.
- Switching to Download Originals to this Mac, which downloads full-size files.
- A slow connection, which stretches syncing out.
Why is cloudphotod using so much CPU?
cloudphotod uses CPU and network while iCloud Photos uploads or downloads. It's heaviest during a first sync or after big imports and quiets down once the library is up to date.
Is it safe to quit?
macOS restarts it and syncing resumes later. Quitting only delays it.
How to calm it down
- Keep the Mac on power and online overnight for a big first sync.
- In Photos › Settings › iCloud, choose Optimize Mac Storage if you don't need full-size originals on this Mac.
- Import very large batches in smaller groups if the upload is slowing your connection.
In SystemWatch
The website edition of SystemWatch shows cloudphotod's network connections, and History shows how long a big iCloud Photos sync has been running.
