Accountsd: How to Fix High CPU Usage on Mac

[Martyimac]

Something I did that has proved to be permanent apparently. I deleted the mail app. I also went into the Library and deleted the mail folder and anything apple.mail.com. That's what I remember doing but do some searching. I reinstalled the mail app, set up the account, downloaded all the mail from my imap email server and accountsd as I type this is using 0.0% CPU. I did all this 3 days ago. YMMV


Edit - this is where I found the fix it's in the section marked medium skill level fixes - https://mrmacintosh.com/catalina-10...date-accountsd-using-400-if-using-icloud-mail

 

[LincolnJR]

DEIXE me Contar O Que resolveu meu Problema:

1 - Preferencias de Sistema -> Contas de Internet -> inativei QUALQUÉR Conta (gmail, etc) e also desativei O "Mail" NAS Opções do iCloud e fazer iCloud Drive.

2 - Cliclei no simbolo da apple na barra superior -> Sobre este mac -> Atualizações de Software -> Avançado -> E deixei selecionado APENAS "Buscar atualizações" e "Instalar arquivos de dados do sistema e atualizações de segurança".

Resolvido.

 

[Marlo Morgan]

Something I did that has proved to be permanent apparently. I deleted the mail app. I also went into the Library and deleted the mail folder and anything apple.mail.com. That's what I remember doing but do some searching. I reinstalled the mail app, set up the account, downloaded all the mail from my imap email server and accountsd as I type this is using 0.0% CPU. I did all this 3 days ago. YMMV


Edit - this is where I found the fix it's in the section marked medium skill level fixes - https://mrmacintosh.com/catalina-10...date-accountsd-using-400-if-using-icloud-mail

how do you delete the mail app?

 

[yvesdb]

In my case the issue was caused bythe "Chatmate for Facebook" app. After closing it, accountsd calmed down and I never had the issue again. Maybe some apps that use accountsd for logging you in upon startup cause this problem.

 

[Martyimac]

how do you delete the mail app?

Good catch, I deleted all the delete-able files using clean my mac. The mail app itself is protected. Sorry for the mis information.

 

[Kes.Siebring]

SMC reset helped for now.

 

[dysamoria]

I think this has been happening for the last 2-3 years (including Mojave) for me anyway. If apple is aware of it, it’s not priority and probably will not be fixed.

What IS at Apple, these days???

got the issue on my macbook pro 2012 and the only way i found was to reinstall actually. and actually it was more worth it since now it works even better

So Mac OS is now Windows. I see. Am not pleased.

ah MacOS finally getting the svchost.exe pattern of behavior 10 years later...

At this point, the very reasons I left Windows for Mac OS are evaporating. I still find Microsoft & Windows far more enraging, but Apple and their lack of QA and priority on bug-stomping seem to be trying to catch up.

The computer industry is an embarrassment. Everything is broken. When we dare to complain, the geeks all throw special pleading at us (“you don’t understand how complex this stuff is!”) and build straw men for us (“nothing is perfect!”).

FYI using internal audio causes coreaudiosd to go from about 2% CPU usage while playing externally through the mic jack, to over 6% when using the internal speakers. I have a 2020 iMac. Anyone wishing to squeeze out every bit of performance may wish to consider external audio.

Someone explain to me why Apple thinks the extra complication of two different devices (audio played through the speaker, and audio played through the headphone jack) was a good choice.

Apple has turned into one big gigantic mess...and exceptionally greedy to boot too.
But their image is to come on tv act all smiley and innocent and like they're the good guys and that's enough for a lot of people.

Because they can get away with image being everything. Most people are uncritical (US culture mostly lacks critical thinking, and “believers” will attack those who use it).

Then there are the tech cults: Apple fanatics, and antisocial geeks who worship at the altar of tech (who ensure the computer industry never gets called out for its fundamental failures). Being a geek isn’t the problem. Liking tech isn’t the problem. Defending it uncritically while having antisocial ideologies is the problem.

Then there’s Apple’s own culture of isolationism & arrogance. They can still continue to be pulled along on the coattails of their own past successes (they earned a good reputation for design ages ago, then earned respect for both their products and their financials back in the naughties, but they’re now eroding that earned reputation while acting like nothing has changed). So long as people continue to wrongheadedly point to stock prices as “success” or “value”, this will continue.

It’s messed up, but what do you expect when their leadership is embedded in Wall Street culture? If you want to change this, change the culture. Not happening any time soon, right?

I “solved” the problem by logging in with another account.

My girlfriend experienced this issue just recently. We tried to reset but the cpu usage was still high. Then I tried to log into my account to see if the problem will still be there. But on my account the problem was not present. After logging back into her account the machine works just perfectly.
We are both using iCloud on the 2018 MacBook Pro

It just happened to my girlfriend on her new Mac today. I feel embarrassed by Apple for recommending she stay with Mac OS and Macs (less problematic? Ha ha ha; also: she had lots of Logic projects).

This crap keeps getting worse. It started with iOS jumping the shark in 2013 and hasn’t gotten better since. Only worse.

But most everyone is happy to act like they’re happy with the new normal... if those who attack critics are any example. Or maybe it’s just that they don’t want negative commentary to affect their stocks. 🤮

Yes, I’m on a roll. I’m fed up with all of this. It’s not just the computer industry. We live in a dystopia anymore (and no, it doesn’t need to get as bad as Mad Max before we call it out). We are ruled by abusive corporations and politicians (usually one in the same), and hypernormalization keeps pressuring everyone to adapt to a new psychotic normal. It’s especially maddening when citizens attack each other for daring to critique that which is so clearly messed up.

So. Fed. Up.

 

[TransPNG]

I've tried fixing this by signing out of iCloud, restarting, signing in again.
It helped for only 3 days now it's back...

It seems like my case. It doesn’t work after sign-in the iCloud again.
You may try to reset NVRAM (command + option + P + R) when boot up the Mac, once or twice. Finally, it works for me.

 

[user1234]

I reset all my internet accounts, and then logged back in to iCloud but disabled find my mac and email as some have found them to be issues. Even logged back into my gmail account (with email and noted disabled) which used to trigger the issue instantly and now 4 days later it's still good. Hopefully it stays that way until Apple will fix the issue but I wouldn't bet money on it.

 

[xgman]

Sounds like there are as many home made remedies as there are posts in this thread, mostly with the issue coming back. Maybe something at the system level which all these "fixes" just bandaids.

 

[gemini62167]

Following the release of macOS Catalina version 10.15.7, an increasing number of users have experienced an issue with a system process named "accountsd" showing very high CPU usage in Activity Monitor, causing their Mac to slow down.

One user in the Apple Support Communities shared a screenshot of "accountsd" with CPU usage above 400%, rendering their 2018 MacBook Pro "useless."

While this issue has popped up occasionally over the years, there has been a noticeable uptick in complaints across the Apple Support Communities, MacRumors Forums, Twitter, Reddit, Stack Exchange, and elsewhere since the release of macOS Catalina version 10.15.7, with users attempting to troubleshoot the issue.

What is accountsd?

Accountsd is a daemon, part of the Accounts framework. Apple's developer documentation says this framework helps users access and manage their external accounts from within apps, without requiring them to enter login credentials.How to fix accountsd CPU usage?
Affected users have offered a wide range of potential solutions, but your mileage may vary.

Some users have managed to solve the issue by signing out of their Apple ID account under System Preferences > Apple ID > Overview > Sign Out, restarting their Mac, and then signing back in to the account, but this has not worked for everyone.

Some users have solved the issue by resetting their Mac's SMC and/or NVRAM.

One user on Stack Exchange believes the issue relates to a bug with file indexing on the Mac. Their solution involves resetting the indexing by navigating to System Preferences > Spotlight > Privacy and adding (+) your storage drive ("Macintosh HD" by default) to the "Prevent Spotlight from searching these locations" list. Then, remove (-) the drive from the list, and the Mac will begin reindexing. The indexing process can temporarily slow down your Mac, so these steps are recommended to be completed overnight.

As for more advanced troubleshooting, some users have had success with navigating to "~/Library/Accounts" and renaming the file "Accounts4.sqlite" to "Accounts4.sqlite.testbackup" or using more complex Terminal commands, but proceed with caution, as these solutions could impact your iCloud accounts or syncing.

Apple has yet to acknowledge this issue. Should a software update be released with a fix, we will update this article accordingly.

Article Link: Accountsd: How to Fix High CPU Usage on Mac

This is just one of many reasons why I lost that loving feeling I once had for Apple. Whereas once I was such a pro-Apple freak, I had even managed to convince four people to leave PCs for Apple loveliness. But that was well over ten years ago.

Since then, but especially in the past five years, I have essentially had it with Apple. But since there is no real alternative, at least not one I've found as yet… I bide my time and have learned the art of self-control and reduced considerably the urge to buy this new expensive money pit, or that new expensive boondoggle from Apple—no more. I get by with what I really need, rather than allow myself to be led by the clever marketing, the still rampant Apple club mentality, and the ever pretty graphics.

I have no more patience for the ever present randomness, and having to accept what Apple decides to fix or not. Between Apple's revamping Music and iBooks to serve more as a portal trying to drive us into subscribing to this streaming service, or that increase in iCloud storage. For me, the last straw came when Apple removed the ability to store our Books' library to an external drive when it became too large, while moving audiobooks (large files themselves) from iTunes to Books. Now that the Book's library now must reside on the system HD, thus hogging up precious drive space OR giving in and paying monthly for (in my case) a TB or more of iCloud. I'd rather cut my wrist, as I don't believe in purposely limiting or cutting off basic computer features that have been the norm since day one, just to force drive your dedicated devotees into paying monthly subscriptions up the arse for the rest of their computing life.

I've been using Apple computers since the late 80s, so frankly I don't give a damn whether anyone agrees with me or not. I'm too old to keep playing the clique game of exclusivity over a piece of equipment and its company. It's just too damn bad that so many like to think of this major multinational as the cutesy branded apple it displays everywhere. It's a corporation, for crissake, just like every other now. Who knew that millions could become so gaga eyed over some company as if it were on the same level of Ghandi, or freakin' Bugs Bunny even. Again, it's a corporation for godsake! Get pissed off when that corporation screws with you. Boycott it when it tries to manipulate you into spending more than you really need to. Stop giving it or any other corporation your hard-earned cash like some lobotomized zombie, and make that company do what you want.

These machines and devices are not cheapo PCs, we pay a premium for them to be part of that exclusive club—I think we deserve more. This constant, never ending ball licking's got to stop. Sometimes, I really miss the days when people had no problem with throwing down the gauntlet, taking to the streets, and protest for better rather than continuing to bend over like a bunch of love struck idiots.

Oh, and yes. I found myself here for the very same issue that appears to have been around from at least 2020… the "accountsd" CPU hogging farce. And like many of the other mysterious daemons that have appeared over the years, all the many odd rituals and random solutions offered by well-meaning users all seem to result in the same eventual disappointments. They just remain intense CPU hogging resources, with no real official solution from Apple. Let alone attention or acknowledgement by Apple. Just one more long list of random home style solutions, of which some might work for a bit and only for the lucky few, only to give up the ghost returning the temporarily hopeful to tears in the end. There has got to be a better way than this.

 

[hanske68]

I agree: Quality is not #1 any more.

"It just works" has become "it might work (if you are lucky and/or pay extra)".

I so much regret that people like Jobs are not here any more.

 

[duke77]

I also have this accountsd problem on my MBP 14 M1, I have tried so many things with no success, the only thing that worked was not loging into icloud but as soon as I enter my account accountsd the problem comes back.

I wonder whether is something related to my icloud account in particualr but I can not figure it out what exactly.

 

[hanske68]

I have had this problem several times as wel.

If I recall well, in my case the problem was related to a corrupt (icloud) file. At one time I also found a corrupted config file in the Library.

Everything related to syncing is sub-par. Apple made some very poor design decisions here. Some design decisions I can hardly understand, among which icloud, .DS_Store files in the filesystem, storing system/config info in userspace (under ~), tagging, file properties, spotlight, fsevents internals, sandboxing mess, interprocess communication and many more. To me, many seem to have started as a proof-of-concept idea, and somehow got accepted. It all crept in and makes a mess. I think hardly anyone still understands at Apple, which causes a fear to fix. "It just does not work, but maybe we can blind them with even more bling-bling."

 

[duke77]

I have had this problem several times as wel.

If I recall well, in my case the problem was related to a corrupt (icloud) file. At one time I also found a corrupted config file in the Library.

Everything related to syncing is sub-par. Apple made some very poor design decisions here. Some design decisions I can hardly understand, among which icloud, .DS_Store files in the filesystem, storing system/config info in userspace (under ~), tagging, file properties, spotlight, fsevents internals, sandboxing mess, interprocess communication and many more. To me, many seem to have started as a proof-of-concept idea, and somehow got accepted. It all crept in and makes a mess. I think hardly anyone still understands at Apple, which causes a fear to fix. "It just does not work, but maybe we can blind them with even more bling-bling."

I agree with you, the iCloud sync seems a bit buggy and there are too many options inside preferences related to that.

How did you fix the problem? How did you find what files were buggy?

Is there any way to check the logs to see exactly what is causing this.

To be honest I think many people suffer from this issue but it is not noticeable because most of us manage iCloud settings from our main user menu not from internet accounts.

 

[hanske68]

I agree with you, the iCloud sync seems a bit buggy and there are too many options inside preferences related to that.

How did you fix the problem? How did you find what files were buggy?

Is there any way to check the logs to see exactly what is causing this.

To be honest I think many people suffer from this issue but it is not noticeable because most of us manage iCloud settings from our main user menu not from internet accounts.

Hi Duke,

It has been a while and I did not take a special note. I read many forums, including apple developer info (which is not very useful most of the time, but occasionally sheds some light on a problem). Here is what I'd do...

Run a filesystem check first with /sbin/fsck (and/or use Disk Utility to run diagnostics).

I'd first suggest waiting for the problem to occur (accountsd running wild), then opening the console (in utilities) and analyse if the log shows up problems whit a specific file. Beware this digging through a huge pile of messages is no fun. Look for specific file appearing often (might also be a config file). Finding the problem this way is possible, but probably you'll give up before you find a problem.

Then switch off icloud syncing/icloud drive. Everything. Log out of your account. Reboot. Log in again and re-enable icloud drive and other stuff that syncs.

Most likely things will work for a while now... until... the system encounters the same problematic file(s). Maybe this is a better time to watch the logs (probably not, but you never know).

If nothing else works, consider a more drastic cleanup: backup, format and install a fresh new operating system (not from backup, but from scratch). That will almost certainly fix the problem and reward you with a clean system, but may take quite some time reinstalling all of your apps and configuring them.

Finally, I use AppTamer to detect processes that do not behave well to kill/slow them down if necessary.

I wish I had a simple solution for you, but I guess you'll have to search for that needle in the haystack.

This thread reminds me to make clear notes next time. Hope you will do that too and share it with other users.



A few links that may be helpful:
https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/123794
https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/125983
https://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/mac_os_x_corrupt_preference_files

 

[duke77]

Hi Duke,

It has been a while and I did not take a special note. I read many forums, including apple developer info (which is not very useful most of the time, but occasionally sheds some light on a problem). Here is what I'd do...

Run a filesystem check first with /sbin/fsck (and/or use Disk Utility to run diagnostics).

I'd first suggest waiting for the problem to occur (accountsd running wild), then opening the console (in utilities) and analyse if the log shows up problems whit a specific file. Beware this digging through a huge pile of messages is no fun. Look for specific file appearing often (might also be a config file). Finding the problem this way is possible, but probably you'll give up before you find a problem.

Then switch off icloud syncing/icloud drive. Everything. Log out of your account. Reboot. Log in again and re-enable icloud drive and other stuff that syncs.

Most likely things will work for a while now... until... the system encounters the same problematic file(s). Maybe this is a better time to watch the logs (probably not, but you never know).

If nothing else works, consider a more drastic cleanup: backup, format and install a fresh new operating system (not from backup, but from scratch). That will almost certainly fix the problem and reward you with a clean system, but may take quite some time reinstalling all of your apps and configuring them.

Finally, I use AppTamer to detect processes that do not behave well to kill/slow them down if necessary.

I wish I had a simple solution for you, but I guess you'll have to search for that needle in the haystack.

This thread reminds me to make clear notes next time. Hope you will do that too and share it with other users.



A few links that may be helpful:
https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/123794
https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/125983
https://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/mac_os_x_corrupt_preference_files

Hi, I have already tried a drastic solution, format and install from scratch. Everything works well until I sign into icloud. Bear in mind that this problem with accountsd in my case it is only shown when I go into internet accounts/icloud, it does not happen when I go to the main icloud menu at the top whithin my username, it is only when I'm in internet accounts.
Super weird I know.

 

[hanske68]

Hi, I have already tried a drastic solution, format and install from scratch. Everything works well until I sign into icloud. Bear in mind that this problem with accountsd in my case it is only shown when I go into internet accounts/icloud, it does not happen when I go to the main icloud menu at the top whithin my username, it is only when I'm in internet accounts.
Super weird I know.

I have no clue left (sorry), except maybe digging through StackExchange. Did you already look at this page?

 

[djbuddha]

On 2 of my machines, I went from Big Sur on one and Monterey on the other to Ventura and it solved it on both for 2 weeks now. Just upgrades, not fresh install.

I’m not sure why it worked, but we’ll see if it starts again.

 

[cadec]

contactsd causing same set of problems in Ventura (currently on 13.6.1). super high cpu, lags, stalls, freezes ... everything that goes through iCloud seems to have these issues and apple does not give a flying flip since it's been years. I too am fed up with apple. sick of them.

just to second everything others have noted, especially dysamoria ^ & gemini62167 ^ above!

and here's more fresh proof from Intego security blog how much apple disdains their own users:
APPLE FAILS TO PATCH LONG TERM SECURITY ISSUES