What is photolibraryd on a Mac? The Photos library service
What the photolibraryd process does in macOS, why it can use CPU or memory, and whether you can stop it.
What is photolibraryd?
photolibraryd manages the Photos library database for Photos and for apps that use your photos.
Why is photolibraryd using CPU or memory?
It is busy during imports, iCloud Photos sync and library repairs, and when an app reads a large library.
Can I stop photolibraryd?
Quitting Photos does not always stop it, because other apps use the library. Let a sync or import finish.
Photos library taking up space covers the library's size.
Common questions
Is photolibraryd safe on a Mac?
Yes. It is part of macOS. photolibraryd manages the Photos library database for Photos and for apps that use your photos..
Can I quit photolibraryd?
Quitting Photos does not always stop it, because other apps use the library.