macOS processes › Apple account and messaging
What is identityservicesd on Mac?
identityservicesd registers your Mac with Apple's identity service, which iMessage, FaceTime, Handoff and other Continuity features use to find your devices and encrypt messages to them.
What it does
It manages the phone numbers and email addresses you use for iMessage and FaceTime, the encryption keys tied to your devices, and the list of devices on your account. When you sign in or add a device, it registers and exchanges keys.
Why it gets busy
- Signing in to iMessage or FaceTime, or adding a new device.
- Network problems that make registration retry.
- Busy messaging, which involves key lookups for new contacts.
Why is identityservicesd using so much CPU?
identityservicesd registers your devices for iMessage and FaceTime. Spikes after sign-in are normal; constant use usually means registration keeps failing.
Is it safe to quit?
macOS restarts it. Messages and FaceTime may pause briefly.
How to calm it down
- Let it finish after signing in or setting up a new device.
- Check Messages › Settings › iMessage and FaceTime › Settings for sign-in errors.
- If errors keep coming back, sign out of iMessage in Messages › Settings and sign back in.
In SystemWatch
SystemWatch shows identityservicesd in plain terms, and its History shows whether it calmed down once your sign-in finished.
