macOS processes › Security and privacy
What is secd on Mac?
secd is a security daemon that manages parts of your keychain, including the passwords and keys synced with iCloud Keychain. It's busy when those items sync or apps look them up.
What it does
It stores and retrieves secure items for apps and Safari, and syncs passwords, passkeys and other keychain data across your devices when iCloud Keychain is on. On Sequoia and later, the Passwords app shows the same data.
Why it gets busy
- Turning on iCloud Keychain or signing in to iCloud, which syncs everything.
- Large numbers of saved passwords, passkeys or certificates.
- An app asking the keychain for the same item over and over.
- Sync problems that make it retry.
Why is secd using so much CPU?
secd is busy when keychain items are syncing with iCloud or apps are looking them up. After setup it settles. If it doesn't, a sync problem or an app in a loop is likely.
Is it safe to quit?
Apps that need passwords or keys fail or keep prompting until it's back, and macOS restarts it anyway.
How to calm it down
- Let the first iCloud Keychain sync finish after setup.
- Delete saved passwords and old entries you no longer need in the Passwords app.
- If it keeps spiking, install the latest macOS update. Keychain sync fixes usually come that way.
In SystemWatch
SystemWatch's History shows whether secd's activity started when you signed in to iCloud, which tells you it's syncing and not stuck.
