What is Spotlight indexing worker?
By Junaid, maker of Taskglass · Last reviewed
A Spotlight worker that reads files so they can be found in search.
Processes whose names start with 'mdworker' are Spotlight's indexing workers. They read new and changed files and extract their text and details for search. Several can run at once and they quit when they're done.
- Category
- Apple service
- Safe to quit:
- With care
Applies to processes whose name starts with "mdworker".
Why is Spotlight indexing worker using so much CPU or memory?
- Indexing after a macOS update, migration or new drive
- Lots of new or changed files
What to do
- 1Let indexing finish with the Mac plugged in
- 2Exclude folders you never search in System Settings > Spotlight > Search Privacy
- 3Restart your Mac if they stay busy for days
Safe to quit? With care.
Spotlight starts new workers as needed; quitting doesn't stop indexing.
Part of the Taskglass Process Library