What is fseventsd on Mac?

fseventsd keeps a record of file changes on each disk, so apps like Time Machine and Spotlight know what changed without checking every file. It's part of macOS and safe.

Key points

• fseventsd records which folders changed, and when.
• It gets busy with many file changes at once, for example builds, downloads or unpacking archives.
• Leave it running: Time Machine, Spotlight and many apps rely on it.

What fseventsd does

Instead of every app scanning your disk for changes, macOS keeps one log of them. backupd uses it to back up only what changed, mds_stores to index only what's new, and sync apps and developer tools to react when files change.

Why is fseventsd using so much CPU?

Many file changes at once, for example builds, downloads or unpacking archives. Developer tools that write thousands of small files, such as installing packages into a project, keep it especially busy.

In one reading of a MacBook Pro (M1 Max, 64 GB) on October 10, 2026, fseventsd was running, but as a system process it can be measured only with administrator permission, which that reading didn't have.

Can I quit fseventsd?

Leave it running: macOS needs it.

How to check it

1. Open Activity Monitor: press Command-Space, type "Activity Monitor" and press Return.
2. Type fseventsd in the search field at the top right.
3. Look at % CPU and Memory.

Questions

Is fseventsd a virus?

No. fseventsd is part of macOS: it keeps a record of file changes.

Why is fseventsd using high CPU?

Many files are changing at once: a build, a download, unpacking an archive or installing packages. It settles when the changes stop.

Can I disable fseventsd?

No. Time Machine, Spotlight and many apps depend on its record of changes.