Excess data usage by idleassetsd process [Asked by everyone , but no solution]

1) Open Activity Monitor > select and Quit the idleassetsd process.

2) Go to Library > Application Support > com.apple.idleassetsd > Customer and delete the large video files. 

3) Resist going to Apple > System Settings > Screen Saver and clicking on any of the downloadable screen savers options.

Sounds like you maybe stuck in a catch 22 where the process keeps restarting before you can delete the files.

Restart the MacBook Air and try again using a slightly different twist.

Force Quit the idleassetsd process and then move those files to the trash and empty the trash instead of deleting them.

If that doesn't work..?

Try moving those files to the trash and emptying the trash first and then go back to Activity Monitor and quit the idleassetsd process.

Active Monitor >> View >> View All process >> idleassetsd

Upon inspection of this process >> Open Files and Ports

CFNetwork | Apple Developer Documentation

Time Zone

And others

You may consider following the advise by @den;thed

A question for the user regarding " idleassetsd process is using excessive data (like 20-30GB) " , if you would

What type of Internet Connection is being used on you computer

To be more specific, Dial up Connection, Wifi Hotspot connection, Wifi from Router or ethernet ?

The Internet Service Provider you are using, do they have a DATA CAP on you account, say 50 GB usage per Month ?

As you have installed the Third Party Firewall " Lulu " where is the issue with configuring this firewall to Blocking

" idleassetsd " from accessing the internet altogether

Below is from Activity Monitor and this computer was just started from OFF 15 minutes ago

Static Wallpaper and Static Screen Saver - Sequoia 15.5 via Wifi 6E to Fibre Optic connected Router and No DATA CAP on this account

We do realize not everyone has Fibre Optic connections but DATA CAP imposed by ISPs

This is really outside of being a macOS Issue, per se

saw1993 wrote:

Please suggest a solution ASAP. since this is a huge problem for most of the mac users.

Follow on

In the past 12 - 18 Months, I have seen and participated * Apple Community Support Forums " in about 3 - 4 similar questions related to idleassetsd process

In each of these cases, upon drilling down to the core issue

Each Individual complained about idleassetsd process consuming excessive Data

Come to find out, they were at in more Rural Locations where the ISP Did Have a Data CAP imposed on their services

+1 I seen a lot of click happy folks with slow internet and limited drive space get into trouble with the downloadable Wallpapers and Screen Savers.

I do not have a cap, but live in an older neighborhood with 100Mbps service.

When I click on Shuffle Aerials > Shuffle All for example, it takes a while to complete the download.

Thank you for sharing the above and good work on Your part too !

Since the condo was re-wired a few years back , moved to 1 GB up and down

Do emphasize with those that maybe handicapped by Geographical Locations and ISP limitation but . . .

If this be the case for OP, Lulu Firewall, if configured appropriately, could reduce the Data Usages

Caveat being, there are downsides to doing this.

You're welcome. Same to you.

Thank you! I also agree that lulu is not helping.

Plus I nearly added my 2¢ about disabling the Screen Savers all together. But some folks take offense and then go on about how they've used a Screen Saver for 10, 20, 30 year without any problems.

The last of we older dinosaurs are still around

Some have evolved with the times while others are still stuck in the old ways