I have a late 2013 MacBook Pro Retina running the latest macOS. I've noticed the icdd process keeps restarting, no matter how often I kill it, and it frequently uses up to 100% of a CPU core. - Reddit
When you open Activity Monitor, you might notice a process called icdd. It can sometimes consume a large amount of CPU resources, up to 100%, which can significantly impact your Mac's overall performance and responsiveness.
If you're wondering what it is and how to fix the issue of it using excessive system resources, keep reading!
What is icdd on Mac
icdd (iCloud Document Daemon) is a background system process responsible for iCloud document synchronization on Mac. It handles tasks like version control, updates, and file status management for documents stored in iCloud, allowing seamless access to your files across Mac, iPhone, iPad, and other Apple devices.
Since icdd runs automatically in the background to manage file syncing, most users don't even notice it. However, in certain situations—especially when there are a large number of files in iCloud Drive to sync, the network connection is unstable, or there's an issue with iCloud data—icdd can consume a high amount of system resources.
In such cases, you may notice the icdd process in Activity Monitor using excessive CPU, sometimes up to 100%, which can slow down your Mac, increase fan activity, and cause noticeable lag.
You should know that icdd only runs if you've enabled iCloud Drive or are using apps that rely on iCloud document syncing, such as Pages, Numbers, Keynote, or Preview. If you've disabled iCloud Drive entirely, icdd usually won't appear in Activity Monitor.
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How to fix the issue of icdd using high CPU on Mac
If you're experiencing high CPU usage due to icdd (iCloud Drive daemon) on your Mac, here are several methods to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
Have you restarted your Mac? Sometimes, background processes like icdd can get stuck, causing excessive CPU usage. A restart can help clear out these temporary issues. Then, you can follow the methods below.
Check for macOS Updates
Apple regularly releases updates to fix bugs and optimize system performance. To check for updates, go to System Preferences, click on Software Update, and install any available updates.
If the issue persists, try signing out of iCloud and then signing back in. This can help resolve any potential sync issues and prevent icdd from overworking your system.
Sign Out and Back Into iCloud
If the problem is related to iCloud sync issues, signing out and back into iCloud can help reset the iCloud services and potentially resolve the problem.
- Open System Preferences.
- Click on Apple ID.
- Select Overview and click Sign Out.
- Restart your Mac, then sign back into iCloud.
Reset iCloud Sync
If signing out and back into iCloud doesn't solve the problem, you may need to reset the iCloud sync. Open System Preferences, click on Apple ID, select iCloud, and uncheck iCloud Drive. Wait a few minutes, then check iCloud Drive again. This forces your Mac to resync with iCloud, which could help resolve the issue.
Rebuild Spotlight Index
Spotlight indexing may also be affecting icdd's performance. To rebuild the Spotlight index, open System Preferences, click on Spotlight, and go to the Privacy tab. Add your hard drive to the list, wait a few seconds, and then remove it. This will force Spotlight to reindex your drive.
Use Terminal to Reset iCloud Services
If you're familiar with Terminal, you can reset iCloud services by running a command. Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities, then run the following command:
defaults delete com.apple.iCloudHelper
After running the command, restart your Mac.
If none of the above methods resolve the issue, you may need to reinstall macOS. Reinstalling the operating system will restore all system files, which could resolve persistent issues. Be sure to back up your data before proceeding with a reinstallation.
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