What is this process on my Mac?
Searching for “what is this process on my Mac?” You’re in the right place. This encyclopedia explains macOS daemons, helpers, and apps in plain English — the same names you see in Activity Monitor.
1421 process explanations · sample view
Browse macOS process entries
Accessibility permission prompt
Shows the system prompt when apps request Accessibility access.
Accessibility UI Server
Draws accessibility UI overlays used by assistive technologies.
Accessories daemon
CoreAccessories daemon that coordinates Apple accessory connections and state.
Accessory firmware updater
Downloads and installs firmware updates for Apple and MFi accessories.
Accessory firmware updater
Downloads and installs firmware updates for Apple and MFi accessories.
Adobe Reader update communicator
Privileged helper that coordinates Adobe Acrobat/Reader update checks.
Adobe Reader update privileged helper
Root-capable SMJobBless helper that installs Adobe Acrobat/Reader updates.
Advertising privacy daemon
Manages advertising privacy settings and opting out of targeted ads.
Aerial wallpaper extension
Renders Apple’s Aerial video wallpapers on desktop and lock screen.
AirPort (Wi‑Fi) daemon
Manages Wi‑Fi wireless network interfaces.
APFS user agent
Watches for new APFS containers and encrypted-volume unlock.
APFS user agent
Watches for new APFS containers and encrypted-volume unlock.
APFS volume manager
Manages APFS volumes including encryption and housekeeping.
App Intents daemon (linkd)
Lets Siri and Shortcuts talk to apps through App Intents.
App prediction intents helper
Helps Siri Suggestions handle app-prediction intents.
App Store agent
Handles App Store background downloads, updates, and account tasks.
AppKit theme widget view service
Draws system-themed widget controls out of process for apps.
Apple Account Settings
System Settings pane for Apple Account sign-in, security, and payment.
Apple advertising content daemon
Fetches Apple-delivered promoted content for App Store, News, and Stocks.
Apple Credential Manager daemon
Stores and serves passkeys and other system credentials.
Apple Device Identity daemon (adid)
FairPlay/CoreADI daemon that supports DRM device identity for media and stores.
Apple device interface daemon
Manages low-level USB and dock-channel transports to attached Apple devices.
Apple device query service
Answers entitlement-checked hardware property queries for Apple system services.
Apple Intelligence tasks daemon
Manages Apple Intelligence data-platform stores and indexes.
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