Mac Processes List: 369 macOS Background Processes, Explained

This shows accessibility controls on screen.

This keeps track of the accounts you've added, like iCloud, Google or Exchange.

Contacts is syncing with your accounts. It stops when it's done.

This syncs your contacts. It stops when it's done.

This handles the advertising settings for Apple's own apps.

This shows the AirPlay menu and AirPlay messages.

This sends your screen or sound to an AirPlay device.

This runs Wi-Fi.

This shows the Sign in with Apple window.

This keeps you signed in to your Apple Account.

This checks that apps are properly signed and haven't been tampered with.

This notices when an iPhone or iPad is connected, for syncing in Finder.

This syncs or backs up your iPhone or iPad with your Mac. It stops when it's done.

This keeps your Music and TV libraries up to date. It stops on its own.

This keeps you signed in to the App Store and other Apple media services.

This collects anonymous usage and crash data, if you allowed sharing it with Apple. It's normally quiet.

This runs your Mac's Neural Engine, the part of the chip used for AI features.

This runs your Mac's Neural Engine, the part of the chip used for AI features.

This looks after your Mac's disk, like its snapshots and free space.

This manages your Apple Account on this Mac.

This lets apps control each other when you've allowed it, for AppleScript and automation.

This runs your Mac's built-in camera.

This checks your spelling as you type.

This signs you in to work or school accounts once, for all your apps.

This signs you in to work or school accounts once, for all your apps.

The App Store is checking for or installing app updates. It stops when it's done.

The App Store is checking for, downloading or installing apps and updates. It stops when it's done.

This receives notifications from Apple for your apps. It's normally quiet.

This lets someone manage this Mac remotely, if Remote Management is turned on.

This looks for a nearby Mac that shares downloads, if your network has one.

This runs Siri.

This handles AirPods features like automatic switching and battery level.

This measures sound levels, for things like headphone volume warnings.

This finds the audio plug-ins on your Mac. It's busy for a moment after you install one.

This is part of how your Mac handles sound.

This checks your admin password when something needs permission.

This handles Sign in with Apple, passkeys and password autofill.

This keeps network drives connected when your network changes.

This connects network drives when you open them.

This handles the sound and video for FaceTime calls.

This downloads files for accessibility features, like voices. It stops when it's done.

This tells you when an app adds itself to open at login or run in the background.

This keeps track of apps that open at login or run in the background.

Time Machine is backing up your Mac. It stops when the backup is done.

Time Machine is getting ready to back up your Mac. It stops when the backup is done.

This runs the commands you type in a Terminal window.

This keeps a private history of how you use your apps, for suggestions. It stays on your Mac.

This keeps a private history of how you use your apps so macOS can suggest things. It stays on your Mac.

This syncs your private suggestion history between your devices. It stops on its own.

This reads your fingerprint for Touch ID.

iCloud Drive is syncing your files. It stops when everything is up to date.

This runs Bluetooth for your headphones, mouse and keyboard.

This runs Bluetooth features for your account.

This talks to Bluetooth accessories like fitness trackers and some keyboards.

This talks to Bluetooth accessories like fitness trackers and some keyboards.

A Terminal command that keeps your Mac awake. It stops when that command ends.

This gives apps access to your calendars.

Calendar is syncing your events. It stops when they're up to date.

This handles FaceTime and iPhone calls on your Mac.

This runs your camera for apps that use it.

This helps protect your iCloud data and account recovery.

This reads and saves the settings for every app. It gets busy when an app saves lots of settings.

This keeps your widgets up to date.

iCloud is syncing data for your apps, like notes, reminders and settings. It stops when everything is up to date.

This shares AirPods and other Bluetooth pairings across your devices through iCloud.

Photos is uploading or downloading pictures with iCloud Photos. It stops when everything is in sync.

This sends iCloud problem reports, if you allowed it.

This handles captions and audio descriptions for videos.

This adjusts your screen's colour to the light around you.

This draws the Open and Save windows for your apps.

This shows caller ID and blocked numbers from apps, for calls on your Mac.

iCloud Drive is syncing your files. It stops when everything is up to date.

This sets up cameras and video devices for apps.

This checks that an app really comes from its developer. It finishes quickly.

This handles group FaceTime and SharePlay.

This downloads map data for Maps, Weather and Find My. It stops when the download is done.

This helps apps with things like the Services menu and accessibility.

This draws small map pictures for apps. It finishes quickly.

This installs an app. It stops when it's done.

macOS is preparing an update. It stops when it's done.

This is the Passwords icon in your menu bar.

This makes thumbnail pictures of your files. It stops once they're made.

This updates Safari's list of dangerous websites. It stops on its own.

This unpacks an app or update while it downloads. It stops when it's done.

This is a virtual machine: another system, like Linux or a copy of macOS, running inside your Mac for an app such as Docker. Closing the app that started it stops it.

This draws video and graphics for web pages. Closing busy tabs calms it down.

This loads web pages for Safari and other apps.

This is a web page open in Safari or another app. A busy one is usually a page with video or ads, and closing that tab calms it down.

This handles calls and text messages that come through your iPhone.

This handles App Store purchases. It's normally quiet.

This keeps track of your network and system settings.

This gives apps access to your contacts.

This sets up private storage folders for your apps.

This sets up private storage folders for apps.

This reads information about newly installed apps. It finishes quickly.

This keeps track of what you're doing so macOS can make suggestions. It stays on your Mac.

This keeps track of what you're doing so macOS can make suggestions. It stays on your Mac.

This lets you use your iPhone as a webcam.

This runs Control Center and many of the icons in your menu bar.

This plays all sound on your Mac.

This handles Touch ID and password prompts.

This adjusts your screen brightness and Night Shift.

This talks to connected iPhones and iPads, mostly for Xcode and Finder.

This helps macOS decide when to run background jobs and which apps to suggest.

This asks you before an app can use your location.

This helps apps open files and find each other.

This shows messages like "Are you sure you want to open this app?"

This listens for "Siri" and handles voice features.

This listens for "Siri" and handles voice features.

Spotlight is indexing what's inside your apps, like notes and messages, so search can find them. It stops on its own.

This turns crash reports into something readable. It's busy for a moment after a crash.

This works out which country your Mac is in, for things like Wi-Fi rules.

This helps macOS write crash reports. It stops on its own.

This runs tasks that were set up to run at set times.

This handles smart cards and security keys, like a work ID card.

This handles smart cards and security keys, like a work ID card.

This sends documents to your printer. It stops when printing is done.

This draws pointer effects, like the big pointer when you shake the mouse.

This prepares graphics for apps that use older graphics code. It stops on its own.

This decides when background jobs like backups and updates run, usually when your Mac is idle.

macOS is clearing out caches and old files it doesn't need, to free up space. It stops on its own.

This sends your Mac's activity log to a tool that is watching it, like Console. It stops when that tool is closed.

This notices when disks and USB drives are plugged in and opens them.

This opens a disk image (.dmg) file. It's busy while one is being read, then stops.

This helps Disk Utility change a disk. It stops when it's done.

This watches for disks being ejected.

This passes messages between apps. It's normally quiet; if it stays busy, one of your apps is usually the cause.

This applies device rules, like Screen Time limits or settings from your school or company.

This runs the Dock at the bottom of your screen.

This runs Focus and Do Not Disturb.

This predicts which apps you'll want next, for suggestions in Spotlight and elsewhere.

This checks which features your Mac and region can use.

This lets security software watch for threats.

This syncs your calendars and reminders. It stops when it's done.

This runs small add-ons that apps provide, like widgets and share options.

This unlocks music, films and apps you've bought so they can play.

This runs Family Sharing.

This stops two apps from changing the same file at the same time.

macOS is syncing files with iCloud Drive or another cloud folder like Dropbox or Google Drive. It stops when your files are up to date.

Finder shows your files and desktop. It restarts itself if closed.

This lets you find this Mac with Find My.

This lets you find this Mac with Find My.

This finds your devices and people for Find My.

This shows reminders to finish setting something up, like your Apple Account.

This manages the fonts on your Mac. It can get busy after you install fonts, then settles.

This manages the fonts on your Mac.

This prepares fonts for apps. It can get busy after you install fonts, then settles.

macOS is keeping track of files that changed. It calms down when copying or installing finishes.

This lets your Mac read disks in other formats.

This handles game controllers.

This handles game controllers.

This turns on Game Mode when you play a game full screen, so the game gets priority.

This runs Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools.

This sends anonymous Maps reports, if you allowed it. It stops on its own.

This downloads map data for Maps, Weather and Find My. It stops when the download is done.

This keeps you signed in to company or school networks.

This runs hearing features for headphones and hearing devices.

This builds the help pages for your apps. It's busy for a moment after updates.

This handles your keyboard, mouse and trackpad.

This connects your Mac to your smart home accessories.

This finds scanners and cameras for Image Capture.

This draws app and file icons. It gets busy after updates, then settles.

This draws app and file icons. It gets busy after updates, then settles.

This connects Messages and FaceTime to your Apple Account.

This sends and receives your iMessages.

This makes images for Image Playground and Genmoji.

This deletes old messages if you've set Messages to keep them for a limited time.

This saves your messages on your Mac. It can get busy when lots of messages arrive at once, then settles.

This starts input methods for typing emoji and other languages.

An app or update is being installed. It stops when it's done.

An installer is running. It stops when it's done.

This gives Apple Intelligence the context it needs, like what's on screen when you ask.

This handles your Apple Intelligence requests.

Apple Intelligence is processing information on your Mac. It works mostly when your Mac is idle, and stops on its own.

Apple Intelligence is organising information on your Mac so it can help you. It works mostly when your Mac is idle, and stops on its own.

This syncs your Music library with iCloud. It stops when everything is up to date.

This handles purchases from the iTunes Store, Apple Music and Apple TV.

This handles secure sign-in between Macs, for things like file and screen sharing.

This is the heart of macOS. When your Mac gets hot, it uses this to slow things down so it can cool off.

This shows warnings, like when a disk was removed without ejecting it.

This loads the drivers for your hardware and accessories.

This looks after the keys that keep your files encrypted.

This learns words you type, for predictions and autocorrect. It stays on your Mac.

This shows iCloud Keychain messages, like approving a new device.

This keeps a private record of how you use your Mac so it can suggest things. It stays on your Mac and settles on its own.

This reads text out loud, for Siri and read-aloud features. It stops when it's done talking.

This downloads language files for dictation, translation and typing. It stops when it's done.

This starts and stops everything on your Mac.

This keeps track of your apps and which app opens which kind of file.

This lets Siri and Shortcuts use actions from your apps.

This shows Live Activities from your iPhone, like a delivery or a game score.

This shows Touch ID and password prompts for apps.

This turns speech into text on your Mac, for dictation and apps that listen. It stops when the listening stops.

This works out where your Mac is for apps you've allowed, like Maps and Weather.

This writes your Mac's activity log. It gets busy when an app writes too much to it.

This signs you in when a Terminal window opens.

This keeps track of who is logged in.

This runs the login screen and keeps you logged in. Closing it would log you out.

This keeps track of which app opens which kind of file.

This reads text out loud with a system voice. It stops when it's done talking.

Mail is downloading or sorting your email in the background. It stops when your mailbox is up to date.

This is part of Spotlight, the search on your Mac. It stops on its own.

Spotlight is reading a big batch of files so search can find them. It stops on its own.

This finds websites and devices on your network. It gets busy when apps make lots of connections.

This helps find websites and devices on your network.

Spotlight, the search on your Mac, is sorting your files so you can find them. This is normal after an update or when you add lots of files, and it stops on its own.

Spotlight, the search on your Mac, is sorting your files so you can find them. This is normal after an update or when you add lots of files, and it stops on its own.

Spotlight, the search on your Mac, is sorting your files so you can find them. This is normal after an update or when you add lots of files, and it stops on its own.

Spotlight, the search on your Mac, is sorting your files so you can find them. This is normal after an update or when you add lots of files, and it stops on its own.

This is part of Spotlight, the search on your Mac. It finishes quickly.

macOS is looking through your photos and videos so you can search for what's in them, like "dog" or "beach". It stops on its own, mostly when your Mac is idle.

This controls what's playing, for the Now Playing menu and media keys.

This connects music keyboards and other MIDI devices.

This helps move your data after a macOS update or Migration Assistant. It stops when it's done.

This runs on-device AI models for apps. It stops when they're done.

macOS is downloading extra parts it needs, like voices, fonts or dictionaries. It stops when the download finishes.

This runs alarms and timers from the Clock app.

This keeps track of which on-device AI models are installed.

This loads the on-device AI models when an app uses Apple Intelligence.

This updates graphics files after a macOS update. It stops when it's done.

macOS is preparing graphics for your apps. It's busy for a while after an update, then stops.

This connects your Mac to your Apple Watch.

This connects your Mac to your Apple Watch.

This works out when you should leave for calendar events, using traffic from Maps.

This runs VPN and network filter apps.

This finds nearby Apple devices for things like AirDrop and Find My.

This helps set up VPNs and network filters.

This keeps your VPN or network filter connected.

This finds Windows computers and shared folders on your network.

This runs iCloud Private Relay, which hides your internet address in Safari.

This updates Apple News in the background. It stops on its own.

This shows your notifications and widgets.

This passes small messages between parts of macOS, like "the network changed".

This connects your Mac to your Apple Watch, for things like Apple Pay.

macOS is downloading something in the background, often for iCloud or an app. It stops when the download finishes.

This keeps track of the user accounts on your Mac.

This helps write crash and diagnostic reports. It stops on its own.

This fetches suggestions from Apple for Spotlight, Safari and Siri.

This runs Wallet and Apple Pay.

This checks, privately, whether any saved password showed up in a known data leak. It stops on its own.

This checks, privately, whether any saved password showed up in a known data leak. It stops on its own.

This runs copy and paste.

This helps with the Services menu and copying between apps.

This works out who you talk to most, for suggestions when you share. It stays on your Mac.

This measures how much energy apps use.

Photos is scanning your pictures to find people, places and memories. It stops on its own, and works faster when your Mac is plugged in.

Photos is keeping your photo library up to date, often while it syncs with iCloud. It stops on its own.

This keeps track of the add-ons and extensions apps install.

This plays the sound when you plug in the charger.

This manages sleep, battery and power settings.

This runs battery features like Optimised Battery Charging.

This keeps the record behind the privacy report in Settings.

This picks the ads shown in Apple's own apps, like the App Store and News.

This makes preview pictures of your files. It stops once the previews are made.

This makes preview pictures of your files. It stops once they're made.

This shows file previews when you press the Space bar.

This lets your Mac talk to your other Apple devices nearby, for things like Handoff and Universal Clipboard.

This remembers people you recently emailed or messaged, for suggestions.

This syncs your reminders.

This pairs your Mac with your iPhone, iPad or Vision Pro.

Something is recording or sharing your screen. It stops when the recording stops.

An app just crashed and macOS is writing down what happened. It stops on its own.

This saves older versions of your documents so you can go back. It's normally quiet.

This learns places you visit often, for things like travel time suggestions. It stays on your Mac.

This reports FaceTime call quality to Apple, if you allowed it.

This decides how much power and memory each running app may use.

This keeps each app in its own space so it can't reach what it shouldn't.

This remembers which files and folders you've let an app open.

This is the screenshot tool.

Your screen saver is running. It stops when you move the mouse.

Someone is viewing or controlling this Mac with Screen Sharing. It stops when they disconnect.

This tracks Screen Time and app limits.

This runs Find My for this Mac, your AirTags and your devices.

This helps Find My locate your devices and AirTags.

This keeps your saved passwords safe and syncs them with iCloud Keychain.

This sets up the security rules for each app as it opens.

This shows the window that asks for your password.

This keeps passwords, keys and certificates safe.

This handles sensor data for research studies you've joined. It's normally idle.

This keeps your recent files and the Finder sidebar lists.

This runs AirDrop, Handoff and sharing with nearby devices.

This shows a shortcut on screen while it runs.

This lets you use an iPad as a second screen.

This shows Siri on screen.

This runs actions for Siri and the Shortcuts app.

This helps Siri understand what you asked.

This learns from your apps so Siri can make suggestions. It stops on its own.

This shows Siri results.

This starts helper programs that apps have asked to run in the background.

This is your Mac's firewall. It decides which apps may accept connections.

macOS is downloading or preparing an update. It stops when it's done.

This shows reminders that a software update is ready.

This reads text out loud. It stops when it's done talking.

An app stopped responding and macOS is writing a report about it. It stops on its own.

This helps macOS write a report when an app stops responding. It stops on its own.

This is the Spotlight search bar and its results.

This is part of Spotlight, the search on your Mac. It gets busy after updates and stops on its own.

This is part of Spotlight, the search on your Mac. It gets busy after updates and stops on its own.

This is part of Spotlight, the search on your Mac. It gets busy after updates and stops on its own.

This is a connection to another computer, started from Terminal.

This remembers your keys for connecting to other computers.

This tells people who message you that your notifications are silenced, if you allow it.

This helps Disk Utility change a disk. It stops when it's done.

The App Store is downloading an app or an update. It stops when it's done.

This handles purchases and subscriptions inside apps.

This sends crash reports to Apple, if you allowed it. It stops when it's done.

This finds things like events and contacts in your mail and messages so it can suggest them. It works mostly when your Mac is idle.

This helps Software Update check for and prepare updates. It stops when it's done.

This lets apps use your saved website passwords and open website links, when the website allows it.

This watches for network problems and helps apps pick the best connection.

iCloud is syncing your settings between your devices. It stops on its own.

macOS is gathering a big diagnostic report, usually because someone asked for one. It stops when it's done.

This installs and manages system extensions, like drivers and security tools.

This keeps older-style system logs.

This collects the numbers that Activity Monitor shows.

macOS is checking that an app you opened is safe. It stops on its own.

macOS is installing software, like an update or an installer package. It stops when it's done.

This records battery and energy use for the Battery settings.

This shows the camera and microphone dots and other status icons in the menu bar.

This draws parts of the menu bar at the top of your screen.

macOS is saving a record of a recent slowdown so it can be looked at later. It stops on its own.

This reopens your windows when apps or your Mac restart.

This decides which programs may inspect other programs, which developer tools need.

This remembers which apps you've allowed to use your camera, microphone, files and more.

This shows the keyboard and input menu.

This watches your Mac's temperature and tells it to slow down when it's too hot.

This keeps your Mac's clock accurate.

This checks for new tips for the Tips app. It's normally quiet.

This translates text on your Mac, for the Translate app and apps that use it. It stops when it's done.

This downloads small updates to how some macOS features work. It's normally quiet.

macOS is checking that websites and apps are who they say they are. It stops on its own.

This lets an Apple TV remote or your iPhone control your Mac.

This helps iPhone and iPad apps run on your Mac.

This runs accessibility features like Zoom and VoiceOver settings.

This lets you use one keyboard and mouse across your Mac and iPad.

This counts how long you use apps and websites, for Screen Time.

This runs USB speakers, headsets and microphones.

This talks to an iPhone or iPad connected by cable.

This passes what you're doing to your other Apple devices, for Handoff.

This reacts to things like plugging in a device or changing networks.

This manages the fonts on your Mac. It can get busy after you install fonts, then settles.

This manages the user accounts on your Mac.

This delivers notifications from your apps.

This shows alert-style notifications and system messages.

This manages notifications from your apps.

This runs your camera for an app that's using it. It stops when you close the video call.

This helps apps show parts of macOS inside their windows.

This runs Personal Voice, which lets your Mac speak in your own voice.

This is VoiceOver, which reads your screen out loud.

This plays video for an app. It stops when the video stops.

This turns video into a file when an app records, exports or shares video. It stops when that's done.

Your moving wallpaper is playing. Picking a still wallpaper stops it.

This changes and draws your wallpaper.

This checks that macOS is still responding.

This saves and syncs your Safari bookmarks. It stops on its own.

This shows Wi-Fi networks and Wi-Fi messages.

This measures how well your Wi-Fi is working. It's normally quiet.

This lets your Mac connect straight to nearby devices over Wi-Fi, for AirDrop and Sidecar.

This collects Wi-Fi problem reports when something asks for them. It stops on its own.

This arranges your windows, for Stage Manager and window tiling.

This draws everything on your screen. Closing it would log you out.

This keeps Wi-Fi and Bluetooth from getting in each other's way.

This starts small helper programs for apps. Each one only runs for a moment.

macOS is checking your apps for malware. It stops on its own.

macOS is checking your apps for malware. It stops on its own.

macOS is checking your apps for malware. It stops on its own.

macOS is checking your apps for malware. It stops on its own.

This runs the commands you type in a Terminal window.

This runs the commands you type in a Terminal window.