For another great resource on this topic, see https://gist.github.com/miguelmota/201895350b8fd10622032e0fbad8cee4
| Task | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| launchd | macOS 'service management framework' | howtogeek.com |
| sysmond | System Monitor Daemon, monitors all system activity in background and automated by launchd | stackoverflow.com |
| kernel_task | It's the kernel! | howtogeek.com |
| hidd | This daemon interprets all of your mouse movements and keyboard taps | howtogeek.com |
| mds / mdworker / mds_stores | These processes are part of macOS's Spotlight search tool | howtogeek.com |
| installd | This daemon handles installs / updates for App Store apps and also operating system | howtogeek.com |
| WindowServer | Draws everything on your screen, interacts with every application | howtogeek.com - developer.apple.com |
| locationd | This daemon locates you via IP and MAC address, is used for time zone updates and map updates | discussions.apple.com |
| netbiosd | This daemon manages PC networking - even if your comp is not sharing anything, it still runs so you can see other shares | reddit.com |
| sharingd | This daemon enables AirDrop, Shared Computers, and Remote Disc in the Finder | discussions.apple.com |
| gamed | This daemon manages "Game Center" | macinside.info |
| icdd | This daemon manages image-capture tasks eg. connected cameras or image shares | reddit.com |
| bird | This daemon helps to manage iCloud and iCloud drive | softwaretested.com |
| fseventsd | This daemon writes file system event log files | techblog.willshouse.com |
| cloudpaird | Something to do with iCloud | reddit.com |
| wirelessproxd | This daemon handles certain networking functions | superuser.com |
| pboard | This daemon provides pasteboard services to running applications | macinside.info |
| logd | This daemon manages logs | eclecticlight.co |
| cfprefsd | This daemon manages preferences files eg. .plist files or NSUserDefaults preferences (Inches or Celcius) | howtogeek.com |
| AGMservice | TBC | TBC |
| trustd | This daemon manages evaluating trust in certificates for all processes on the system | howtogeek.com |
| identityservicesd | This daemon handles iCloud/iMessage/FaceTime related tasks | reddit.com |
| apsd | Stands for "Apple Push notification Service Daemon" handles 'push technology' to send notifications to device | macinside.info |
| blued | This daemon handles Bluetooth connections on your Mac | howtogeek.com |
| backupd | This daemon powers Time Machine | howtogeek.com |
| backupd-helper | This daemon also powers Time Machine | techstacker.com |
| dbfseventsd | Dropbox file system events daemon | howtogeek.com |
| opendirectoryd | This daemon handles Apple Open Directory, evyerthing related to local networking | howtogeek.com |
| coredaudiod | This daemon that powers Core Audio, the low-level API for sound on macOS | howtogeek.com |
| powerd | This daemon manages device energy consumption | howtogeek.com |
| coreauthd | This daemon manages local authentication, including when you type your password or use Touch ID. | howtogeek.com |
| configd | This daemon handles System Configuration Server and monitors the status of various things about your Mac | howtogeek.com |
| UserEventAgent | This daemon handles system events sent to plugins found in /System/Library/UserEventPluginsThis | howtogeek.com |
| nsurlstoraged | This daemon manages local storage for web applications | howtogeek.com |
| parentcontrold | This daemon is used by Parental Controls to manage and track restricted users | howtogeek.com |
| sandboxd | This daemon performs services on behalf of the Sandbox kernel extension | howtogeek.com |
| cloudd | This daemon manages file upload and sync to iCloud | howtogeek.com |
| assistant_service / assistantd | Tasks related to Siri and Spotlight’s knowledge base. | howtogeek.com |
| storedownloadd | This daemon handles downloads for the Mac App Store | howtogeek.com |
| AppleSpell | Manages system-wide spellchecking in macOS | howtogeek.com |
| dasd | This daemon manages a list of background processes that your Mac should run in near future | howtogeek.com |