macOS processes, explained.

What every process in Activity Monitor does, why it gets busy, and whether it's safe to quit. 110 processes, in plain words.

Apple account and messaging

accountsdInternet accounts akdApple Account sign-in apsdPush notifications calaccessdCalendar data callservicesdCalls commerceApp Store purchases contactsdContacts familycircledFamily Sharing identityservicesdiMessage and FaceTime identity imagentMessages background service reminddReminders

Audio and speech

coreaudiodSound corespeechdSiri voice trigger sirittsdSiri voice

Backups and updates

appstoreagentApp Store updates backupdTime Machine backup mobileassetdSystem downloads softwareupdatedSoftware Update storeassetdApp Store downloads

Browsers and web content

Google Chrome HelperGoogle Chrome (background services)Google Chrome Helper (GPU)Google Chrome graphics Google Chrome Helper (Renderer)Google Chrome tabs and extensions Safari Graphics and MediaWeb page graphics Safari NetworkingWeb page networking Safari Web ContentWeb pages (Safari and other apps)

Core system

cfprefsdSettings storage configdNetwork configuration deletedStorage cleanup diskimagesiodDisk image reader distnotedApp-to-app messages fseventsdFile change tracker hiddKeyboard, mouse and trackpad input kernel_taskmacOS kernel kernelmanagerdKernel extension manager launchdSystem process manager logdSystem logging loginwindowLogin session lsdApp and file type database notifydSystem signals opendirectorydUser accounts directory ReportCrashCrash reporter studentdClassroom syslogdLegacy system log UserEventAgentSystem event handler

Display and graphics

MTLCompilerServiceGraphics shader compiler replaydScreen recording WallpaperWallpaper WindowServerScreen drawing

Menu bar and interface

contentlinkingdContent linking Control CenterControl Center and menu bar DockDock and Mission Control FinderFinder Notification CenterNotifications and widgets SystemUIServerMenu bar items universalaccessdAccessibility features usernotedNotification delivery WindowManagerStage Manager and window tiling

Networking and wireless

airportdWi-Fi bluetoothdBluetooth CommCenterTelephony support mDNSResponderDNS and Bonjour nehelperVPN and network extension helper nsurlsessiondBackground downloads rapportdNearby Apple devices sharingdAirDrop and Handoff symptomsdNetwork diagnostics wifianalyticsdWi-Fi analytics

Photos and media

cloudphotodiCloud Photos sync mediaanalysisdPhotos library analysis photoanalysisdPhotos library analysis photolibrarydPhotos library VTDecoderXPCServiceVideo decoding

Power and performance

coreduetdUsage patterns dasdBackground task scheduler powerdPower management runningboarddApp lifecycle manager

Security and privacy

amfidCode signature checks coreauthdTouch ID and authentication endpointsecuritydSecurity software events findmydevicedFind My Mac locationdLocation Services MRTMalware Removal Tool (older)sandboxdApp sandbox monitor ScreenTimeAgentScreen Time searchpartydFind My network secdKeychain and passwords syspolicydGatekeeper app checks tccdPrivacy permissions trustdCertificate checks XProtectMalware protection XprotectServiceMalware protection

Siri and intelligence

assistantdSiri knowledge-agentUsage knowledge store siriknowledgedSiri knowledge suggestdSiri Suggestions trialdFeature configuration

Spotlight and search

corespotlightdSpotlight indexing managedcorespotlightdSpotlight helper mdflagwriterSpotlight helper mdsSpotlight indexing mds_storesSpotlight indexing mdworkerSpotlight indexing mdworker_sharedSpotlight indexing parsecdSearch suggestions SpotlightSpotlight search window spotlightknowledgedSpotlight indexing

iCloud and sync

biomesyncdUsage data sync birdiCloud sync clouddiCloud sync fileproviderdCloud files

The Task Manager your Mac never had.

Every app and process explained in plain words, with what it's using and whether that's normal.

~~$14.99~~ $5.99 for the first 100 copies.

Buy for $5.99 See all features

SystemWatch