LightAtom

What Is photoanalysisd?

photoanalysisd analyses your Photos library on your Mac: recognising people, objects and scenes, and creating Memories.

No. It's local photo analysis.

The analysis runs locally and isn't network-related.

Apple does this analysis on-device, so photoanalysisd uses CPU, not the network. It tends to run when the Mac is idle and plugged in. If it bothers you, leave the Mac on power overnight with Photos closed; once the library is analysed, it goes quiet.

Facts

Owner
Apple (part of macOS)
Network-related
No
Block it?
Don’t block it

Should you worry?

No. It's local photo analysis. High CPU happens after importing many photos or a macOS update, often when the Mac is idle and on power.

Frequently asked questions

What is photoanalysisd?

The macOS process that analyses Photos on your device for people, places, objects and Memories.

Why is photoanalysisd using high CPU?

It's processing new or updated photos. Let it finish; it runs mostly when the Mac is idle and charging.

Does photoanalysisd upload my photos?

No. The analysis happens on your Mac. Syncing photos with iCloud is handled by other processes.

LightAtom team

The people who build LightAtom, a network monitor for macOS.