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Reflect Open High CPU With iCloud (fileproviderd)

Fixed in latest version Mac Updated October 21, 2026

Quick answer

Early Reflect Open builds (around 0.10.0) made macOS fileproviderd use about 200% CPU while an iCloud-backed graph was open. The bug was fixed in September 2026, so updating Reflect Open is the fix. Restarting fileproviderd helps only temporarily.

Most likely fix: Update Reflect Open.

Symptoms

The fans spin up and Activity Monitor shows fileproviderd at roughly 185-205% CPU (and Reflect at 40-50%) whenever Reflect Open is open. It drops to zero when you quit Reflect.

Why it happens

  • Reflect's graph-wide iCloud metadata query kept re-scanning the local-only .reflect and .git folders
  • Running an older Reflect Open build

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

  1. 1. Update Reflect Open

    1. Download the latest Mac build from github.com/team-reflect/reflect-open/releases or let the app auto-update
    2. Restart Reflect and check fileproviderd in Activity Monitor

  2. 2. Temporarily restart fileproviderd

    1. Open Terminal
    2. Run: killall fileproviderd
    3. Note that the load returns if you're still on an affected build

  3. 3. Use a local folder or Git instead of iCloud

    1. Create the graph in a regular folder on your Mac
    2. Sync it with GitHub or another git remote instead of iCloud Drive

This guide also covers

  • reflect fileproviderd high cpu
  • reflect open icloud slow
  • reflect open battery drain mac

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