What is fseventsd on a Mac? File change logging
What the fseventsd process does in macOS, why it can use CPU or memory, and whether you can stop it.
What is fseventsd?
fseventsd records which folders change, so Spotlight, Time Machine and apps can find changes without rescanning the disk.
Why is fseventsd using CPU or memory?
It is busy when many files change at once: builds, unpacking archives, syncing large folders.
Can I stop fseventsd?
No; Spotlight and Time Machine depend on it.
Disk activity on a Mac shows which process is writing.
Common questions
Is fseventsd safe on a Mac?
Yes. It is part of macOS. fseventsd records which folders change, so Spotlight, Time Machine and apps can find changes without rescanning the disk..
Can I quit fseventsd?
No; Spotlight and Time Machine depend on it..