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Slow screenshot saving to iCloud desktop in High Sierra

Screenshots are taking a few minutes to appear in iCloud folders/desktop after saving in High Sierra. Changing the file type when saving a screen capture from Grab made no difference, but saving to a non-iCloud folder worked instantly.


Others also seem to be having this dilemma: screen capture - Screenshot taking a very long time to appear on desktop - Ask Different


Fyi, several years ago I changed my screenshot format to save in JPG: Change the Location and File Format for Mac Screenshots

MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012), OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on Oct 5, 2017 8:06 PM

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Posted on Nov 8, 2017 7:15 AM

I have the same problem. It seems to take anywhere from several seconds to 30 seconds. Also with general files/folders. If I save a file or folder to the desktop, it is the same problem. Also, if I do a screenshot-to-clipboard... something similar is happening. For instance, I can take a screenshot to clipboard. Paste it... nothing. Paste it again... nothing. Eventually several screenshots will paste. It is as if the data has cloud priority before local priority.

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Nov 8, 2017 7:15 AM in response to misterwilliam

I have the same problem. It seems to take anywhere from several seconds to 30 seconds. Also with general files/folders. If I save a file or folder to the desktop, it is the same problem. Also, if I do a screenshot-to-clipboard... something similar is happening. For instance, I can take a screenshot to clipboard. Paste it... nothing. Paste it again... nothing. Eventually several screenshots will paste. It is as if the data has cloud priority before local priority.

Dec 5, 2017 5:50 AM in response to misterwilliam

Backup and Syc Google Drive causes the delay in saving screenshots. There is an option in Google Drive to backup everything in Desktop to Drive. You can disable it but the delay time still may be too long. When you quit Google Drive, everything is as fast as previous Mac OS releases. I couldn't know that stupid thing and run clean install for High Sierra. Such a waste of time. 😠

Dec 6, 2017 2:32 AM in response to LiboRAPTOR

I can verify this.


After quitting and restarting Google Backup and Sync, screenshots and images dragged to desktop from webbrowser appear immediately.


I do not have the option to sync my Desktop turned on in Preferences, only one folder located on a secondary hard drive is synced. It is doing something with the Desktop however, when you op en B and S preferences it's calculating size. So maybe there's a background process which interferes with saving images to Desktop.

Dec 30, 2017 1:01 PM in response to LiboRAPTOR

I disabled Google Backup and Sync and did not see any change. I have a 2013 iMac with a fusion drive and it worked fine on showing updates in folders and on desktop until High Sierra. It's not just screen shots to the Desktop - I have also seen in when a process like Xcode creates a new folder, the folder does not show up in the finder window until I actually reboot the Mac!

Dec 31, 2017 1:54 AM in response to meydey

This actually sounds more like a corrupted file system or hard disk related problem.


The problem described here is easy to reproduce. Drag an image from the browser to the desktop or make a screenshot. With Backup & Sync enabled it takes seconds before the image appears on the desktop. When Backup & Sync is disabled the image appears instantly.

Jan 19, 2018 10:52 AM in response to LiboRAPTOR

I can confirm - *definitely* caused by Google Drive Backup and Sync.


Running Google Drive Backup and Sync ON with macOS High Sierra 10.13.2 on early 2014 MBP


Google Drive Backup and Sync ON - files, screenshots take 4-7 sec. to appear on desktop

Google Drive Backup and Sync OFF - files, screenshots instantaneously appear on desktop (like normal)


From the 'Hate it for me' department - I have TWO instances of Backup and Sync running - one for work, one for home use. Running even one produces the results from above. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ #TheMoreYouKnow

Feb 8, 2018 1:34 AM in response to misterwilliam

I had the same problem, ever since I installed High Sierra exactly a month ago. Slow screen shots saving to desktop. Slow ANYTHING saving to desktop. I did a test using this advice (to change where screenshots are saved to - I had them go to a folder in Documents) and my screenshots were then saving faster, it was a messy work around. But I need things saving to my desktop quickly, that is just the way I work. I tried fiddling around with iCloud drive prefs, namely turning off Desktop and Documents folder, but that didn't work. I didn't have Google drive installed so that wasn't it. I kept seeing references about having 3rd party things installed being a bad idea, such as Mac Cleaner. A few days ago I got rid of Mac Cleaner. Still no change. Yesterday I deleted Malwarebytes. Still no change. Finally I deleted Sophos. Restarted..... It's like I've got a brand new Mac! Speedy start up, apps start up so quickly, everything has become much faster. And, screenshots, or any file, saving to desktop instantaneous once more. I am so happy.


I can't categorically state it was Sophos, or whether it was a combination of the three things I deleted which were causing the problem. I did a restart after deleting each one, and it was only after deleting Sophos that I got the miraculous result.


I was blaming High Sierra for all the glitches I had been encountering, but now I am loving it and think it was the 3rd party stuff. I might even now take the plunge and upgrade to 10.13.3.


Now I just need to sort out the multiple 'ejecting of external HD' message when mac is asleep and I will be even happier.


Would love to know if this helps anyone else.

Feb 21, 2018 5:18 AM in response to breiner

Sophos changed the free Mac software. I used Sophos uninstaller to remove Sophos, and did a new down load. A totally new version installed. It is linked to a free trial of Premium. It also doesn't allow you to scan individual items on the desk top. With the new version of Sophos I am having no trouble with drag and drop to desk top.


Also check if "Grab" ( in Applications > Utility folder) has accidentally become your default image viewer, rather than Preview. I found this to be an issue. It is new in High Sierra. Make sure your default viewer is Preview.

Slow screenshot saving to iCloud desktop in High Sierra

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