See resource use across an app
Group processes belonging to the same app, sort by CPU or memory and expand each task. Sustained app-wide CPU usage appears in the main window and menu panel.
A native companion for your Mac
Keep your focus.We’ll watch the background.
Sometimes the work is finished, but a process keeps running. QuietWatch spots sustained CPU usage, shows the current status and next step when you open an alert, with a shortcut to inspect the running app.
v1.3.0macOS 13+Intel + Apple SiliconDeveloper signed · Apple notarized
Local observationRules run on your Mac
Optional AI setupAutomatic advice after saving
You stay in controlConfirm every exit action
Release 1.3.0
See what changed. Choose what to do.
Current release · 1.3.0
From “what’s busy?” to “what next?”
Turn a list of processes into useful context and a next step you can check.
Notice what needs attention
Watch for high CPU usage sustained over time. See the usage, observation window, and task runtime before interrupting legitimate work.
Sustained observation · Adjustable rulesSee the next step first
Read local advice as soon as you open an alert, then inspect the running app or Activity Monitor. Details explain lower CPU or a process that is no longer readable; optional AI adds a short suggestion.
Task origin · Local assessment · Optional AICheck, then choose
Check progress before waiting, muting, or requesting an exit. QuietWatch rechecks the target identity before acting and verifies the result afterward.
Confirmation · Identity checks · Follow-upCurrent release screens
The important things come first.
Resource trends, recommendations, app management and past actions, in light and dark.
See memory pressure, recent trends and resource totals by app.
Actual app · Demonstration data
The app interface is currently in Chinese. Screenshots use sample data.
At home in your menu bar
No need to keep watching.
Close the main window and QuietWatch keeps observing from the menu bar. Check in when you need to, or pause observation while you focus on something else.
- Observes every 30 seconds by default; adjustable in Settings
- Pause, resume, or take a fresh sample
- Enable notifications and launch at login when you choose
Know where your data goes
Start local. Ask AI when you choose.
Process observation and rules run on your Mac. Local monitoring and actions work without an AI connection.
Read the full privacy noticeSave to enable automatic advice
Settings explain the data scope and possible charges. Automatic advice is selected by default; you can turn it off and save.
Only the necessary information
Process summaries exclude names, commands, paths and PIDs. App-list advice requires a separate selection, preview and confirmation.
Keep keys and records in place
API keys stay in macOS Keychain. Background reads stop when approval is needed; authorize access from settings when you choose.
Before you download
A few good questions.
Does high memory usage mean I need to clean it?
Not necessarily. Start with system memory pressure, then review compression, swap and recent trends. App totals may include shared pages, and growth does not prove a leak. QuietWatch does not automatically clear caches or stop tasks.
Why does macOS request Keychain access?
AI keys are stored in macOS Keychain. From 1.2.1, background reads stop when authorization is needed and do not repeatedly retry after cancellation. Settings checks only whether a key is saved. To restore AI access, choose “授权读取密钥” in settings, or enter and save the key again. macOS may ask for approval during that explicit action. Local advice remains available.
What should I do after opening an alert?
Read the current status and next step first. Open the running parent app to check progress, or use the Activity Monitor instructions if no parent app can be identified. Details explain when CPU has fallen, or the process is temporarily unreadable. AI adds optional short advice and reuses a result already available.
Will AI give advice automatically after setup?
Yes. Saving your first AI configuration enables automatic advice by default. Sustained high CPU that meets your monitoring rule can trigger a short recommendation from your chosen service. Local advice remains available while waiting, on failure, when Keychain authorization is needed or at the automatic limit. You can turn it off and save; older manual configurations need to be saved once in the new settings.
Will app removal delete my documents?
App removal moves only the confirmed whole app bundle to Trash, keeping external documents, settings and caches. Files inside the bundle move with it. Complex installations may need a vendor uninstaller; it does not promise to clean up every leftover file.
Will it stop a process automatically?
No. QuietWatch shows the evidence and lets you choose whether to mute, request an exit, or force quit. Each exit action requires a separate confirmation. Force quitting may lose unsaved work.
Does high CPU mean an app is stuck?
Not necessarily. File syncing, photo analysis, video exports, builds, and tests can legitimately use a lot of CPU. QuietWatch shows sustained usage, task origin, and observation time so you can check actual progress.
Do I need to connect an AI service?
No. Monitoring, local rules, and process actions work locally. AI is optional and requires your own compatible service, model, and credentials. Provider charges may apply.
Which Macs are supported?
The universal package includes Intel and Apple Silicon binaries and requires macOS 13 or later. The app interface is currently in Chinese.
Why are some processes missing?
QuietWatch only shows processes readable by the current user. macOS limits access to some process information. You do not need to disable system security.
How do I install or update it?
Open the DMG and drag QuietWatch into Applications. It is signed by JINGREN CHEN and notarized by Apple. If you use 1.0, quit it and replace it with this download once. From 1.1, QuietWatch checks daily and offers updates in the app menu and software update settings. Automatic downloads and installation on quit are optional; macOS may still request authorization.
Start with the problem in front of you
A busy Mac. Where do you start?
High CPU on a Mac: when to wait, quit or force quit
Understand process CPU, whole-system idle capacity and accumulated CPU time, then use task progress to choose between waiting, quitting and force quitting.
Read guideA Mac process keeps using CPU: how to identify its source
When an app, background helper, sync, export or build task keeps using Mac CPU, match its identity, parent process and real progress before choosing a safe way to stop it.
Read guideQuietWatch vs Activity Monitor: choose by the question
Compare macOS Activity Monitor with QuietWatch fairly: immediate system-resource inspection versus sustained CPU alerts, task context and confirmed manual actions.
Read guide
A little attention to the background.
QuietWatch 1.3.0 adds resource trends, memory observations and clearer app removal.
v1.3.0 (106)macOS 13+Intel + Apple Silicon6.2 MB
Download for MacOpen the DMG → Drag QuietWatch into Applications. On 1.0, quit the old app and replace it once.