What is DataDetectorsSo on Mac?
Data Detectors source access · seed · quit hint: caution
DataDetectorsSo is a macOS process (listed here as Data Detectors source access). People usually find it in Activity Monitor when asking “what is this process?”
What does DataDetectorsSo do?
DataDetectorsSourceAccess is the system utility that manages and controls access to dynamic sources for Data Detectors clients. launchd runs it as _datadetectors and should be the only starter; the sibling DataDetectorsLocalSources tool says this daemon gates the private user source. Apps that turn dates, addresses, and phone numbers in text into actions (Mail, Messages, and others via NSDataDetector) need that access; quitting only pauses it until launchd relaunches the daemon.
When to leave DataDetectorsSo running
- data-detectors-in-use
Is it safe to quit DataDetectorsSo?
Hint: caution. SystemWoe Free and Pro refuse to quit protected apps or Time Machine — Pro adds force-quit only with confirmation.
Further reading
- https://keith.github.io/xcode-man-pages/DataDetectorsSourceAccess.8.html
- https://keith.github.io/xcode-man-pages/DataDetectorsLocalSources.8.html
- https://developer.apple.com/documentation/foundation/nsdatadetector
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