19 Commits

Author SHA1 Message Date
Michael Roitzsch
40b2576d55 internals: update for macOS 12.4 Monterey 2022-06-06 21:45:17 +02:00
Michael Roitzsch
909ec8a160 flake: update for Xcode 13.4 2022-05-25 18:45:24 +02:00
Michael Roitzsch
b92ed8e175 internals: update for macOS 12.3 Monterey 2022-03-25 08:20:11 +01:00
Michael Roitzsch
e33fabd772 flake: update for Xcode 13.3 2022-03-25 08:19:46 +01:00
Michael Roitzsch
b494b38956 flake: update for Xcode 13.2 2022-01-02 15:02:24 +01:00
Michael Roitzsch
8d62d3e215 formally conform to the TSV file format
• move internals.txt to internals.tsv (bonus: GitHub built-in rendering)
• add a header in the first line
• ignore first line for sort checking
• ignore first line for HTML rendering
2022-01-02 15:02:24 +01:00
Michael Roitzsch
5e92d0e636 internals: update for macOS 12.1 Monterey 2021-11-22 14:11:48 +01:00
Michael Roitzsch
33947b2f46 Makefile: test for tool build errors 2021-11-08 10:44:59 +01:00
Michael Roitzsch
81f318f1e1 flake: fix acextract build (again) 2021-11-08 10:38:11 +01:00
Michael Roitzsch
07288c72e1 flake: update Xcode version 2021-11-08 10:37:33 +01:00
Michael Roitzsch
f3150df424 Makefile: fix entitlements export for Monterey 2021-10-29 19:52:30 +02:00
Michael Roitzsch
ef992d99d1 flake: enable snapshot reverting
snapUtil -r
2021-10-25 12:04:53 +02:00
Michael Roitzsch
28560df58f flake: fix Swift compiler crash 2021-10-25 12:03:31 +02:00
Michael Roitzsch
31fcb59c80 Makefile: extract DriverKit dyld cache 2021-10-25 12:03:31 +02:00
Michael Roitzsch
2deea7c208 flake: Monterey-compatible dyld cache extractor 2021-10-25 12:03:12 +02:00
Michael Roitzsch
563347a6db Makefile: assume a flake-capable Nix is installed 2021-10-20 10:43:55 +02:00
Michael Roitzsch
345d5a24c0 Makefile: configurable Xcode installation 2021-10-20 10:43:55 +02:00
Michael Roitzsch
40216ef6d4 flake: use unstable branch of nixpkgs 2021-10-20 10:43:55 +02:00
Michael Roitzsch
f79226a965 flake: use attribute naming convention, add lock 2021-10-20 10:43:55 +02:00
5 changed files with 302 additions and 137 deletions

View File

@@ -9,8 +9,9 @@ CHECK_TARGETS = check_files check_binaries check_manifests check_services
all: $(DB).lz check
ifneq ($(wildcard $(MY_INTERNALS)),)
internals.txt: $(MY_INTERNALS)
textutil -cat txt "$<" -output $@
internals.tsv: $(MY_INTERNALS)
printf 'Term\tDescription\n' > $@
textutil -cat txt $@ "$<" -output $@
xattr -c $@
endif
@@ -27,8 +28,8 @@ $(DB).lz: $(DB)
rm -rf dyld
endif
check: internals.txt
@LANG=en sort --ignore-case $< | diff -uw $< -
check: internals.tsv
@(head --lines=1 ; LANG=en sort --ignore-case) < $< | diff -uw $< -
@$(MAKE) --silent --jobs=1 $(CHECK_TARGETS)
define VIEW
@@ -49,30 +50,34 @@ sqlite: $(DB)
# MARK: - data extraction helpers
NIX = $(shell nix-build --no-out-link -A nixFlakes '<nixpkgs>')/bin/nix
ACEXTRACT = $(shell \
$(NIX) --experimental-features 'nix-command flakes' build --no-write-lock-file .\#acextract && \
ACEXTRACT = $(shell nix build --no-write-lock-file .\#acextract && \
readlink result && rm result)/bin/acextract
DSCU = $(shell \
$(NIX) --experimental-features 'nix-command flakes' build --no-write-lock-file .\#dyld-shared-cache && \
readlink result && rm result)/bin/dyld_shared_cache_util
DSCEXTRACTOR = $(shell nix build --no-write-lock-file .\#dsc-extractor && \
readlink result && rm result)/bin/dyld-shared-cache-extractor
dyld: /System/Library/dyld/dyld_shared_cache_$(shell uname -m)
$(DSCU) -extract $@ $<
dyld: /System/Library/dyld/dyld_shared_cache_$(shell uname -m) /System/DriverKit/System/Library/dyld/dyld_shared_cache_$(shell uname -m)
if ! test -x $(DSCEXTRACTOR) ; then \
printf '\033[1mdscextractor tool unavailable\033[m\n' >&2 ; \
echo 'FAIL;' ; \
exit 1 ; \
fi
for i in $+ ; do $(DSCEXTRACTOR) $$i $@ ; done > /dev/null
find $@ -type f -print0 | xargs -0 chmod a+x
XCODE = $(lastword $(wildcard /Applications/Xcode.app /Applications/Xcode-beta.app))
prefix = $$(case $(1) in \
(macOS) ;; \
(macOS-dyld) echo $(dir $(realpath $(firstword $(MAKEFILE_LIST))))/dyld ;; \
(iOS) echo /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/iPhoneOS.platform/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Profiles/Runtimes/iOS.simruntime/Contents/Resources/RuntimeRoot ;; \
(tvOS) echo /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/AppleTVOS.platform/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Profiles/Runtimes/tvOS.simruntime/Contents/Resources/RuntimeRoot ;; \
(watchOS) echo /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/WatchOS.platform/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Profiles/Runtimes/watchOS.simruntime/Contents/Resources/RuntimeRoot ;; \
(iOS) echo $(XCODE)/Contents/Developer/Platforms/iPhoneOS.platform/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Profiles/Runtimes/iOS.simruntime/Contents/Resources/RuntimeRoot ;; \
(tvOS) echo $(XCODE)/Contents/Developer/Platforms/AppleTVOS.platform/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Profiles/Runtimes/tvOS.simruntime/Contents/Resources/RuntimeRoot ;; \
(watchOS) echo $(XCODE)/Contents/Developer/Platforms/WatchOS.platform/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Profiles/Runtimes/watchOS.simruntime/Contents/Resources/RuntimeRoot ;; \
esac)
find = \
{ \
$(2) find /Library /System /bin /dev /private /sbin /usr ! \( -path /System/Volumes/Data -prune \) $(1) 2> /dev/null | sed 's/^/macOS /' ; \
cd /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer ; find Library Toolchains Tools usr $(1) | sed 's|^|macOS /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/|' ; \
cd $(XCODE)/Contents/Developer ; find Library Toolchains Tools usr $(1) | sed 's|^|macOS /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/|' ; \
test -d "$(call prefix,macOS-dyld)" && cd "$(call prefix,macOS-dyld)" && find . $(1) | sed '1d;s/^\./macOS-dyld /' ; \
cd $(call prefix,iOS) ; find . $(1) | sed '1d;s/^\./iOS /' ; \
cd $(call prefix,tvOS) ; find . $(1) | sed '1d;s/^\./tvOS /' ; \
@@ -114,8 +119,8 @@ db_binaries:: dyld
if test -r "$(call prefix,$$os)$$path" && file --no-dereference --brief --mime-type "$(call prefix,$$os)$$path" | grep -Fq application/x-mach-binary ; then \
objdump --macho --dylibs-used "$(call prefix,$$os)$$path" | \
sed "1d;s/^.//;s/ ([^)]*)$$//;s/'/''/g;s|.*|INSERT INTO linkages $(call file,'&');|" ; \
codesign --display --entitlements - "$(call prefix,$$os)$$path" 2> /dev/null | \
sed 1d | plutil -convert json - -o - | \
codesign --display --xml --entitlements - "$(call prefix,$$os)$$path" 2> /dev/null | \
plutil -convert json - -o - | \
sed "/^<stdin>: Property List error/d;/^{}/d;s/'/''/g;s|.*|INSERT INTO entitlements $(call file,json('&'));\n|" ; \
strings -n 8 "$(call prefix,$$os)$$path" | \
LANG=C sed "s/'/''/g;s|.*|INSERT INTO strings $(call file,'&');|" ; \
@@ -132,6 +137,11 @@ db_manifests::
done
db_assets::
if ! test -x $(ACEXTRACT) ; then \
printf '\033[1macextract tool unavailable\033[m\n' >&2 ; \
echo 'FAIL;' ; \
exit 1 ; \
fi
printf '\033[1mcollecting asset catalog information...\033[m\n' >&2
echo 'DROP TABLE IF EXISTS assets;'
echo 'CREATE TABLE assets (id INTEGER REFERENCES files, name TEXT);'
@@ -154,15 +164,15 @@ $(DB_TARGETS)::
echo 'COMMIT TRANSACTION;'
# MARK: - check targets for internals.txt
# MARK: - check targets for internals.tsv
check_files: internals.txt $(DB)
check_files: internals.tsv $(DB)
printf '\033[1mchecking files...\033[m\n' >&2
grep -ow '~\?/[^,;]*' $< | sed -E 's/ \(.*\)$$//;s/^\/(etc|var)\//\/private&/' | \
sed "s/'/''/g;s|.*|SELECT count(*), '&' FROM files WHERE path GLOB '&';|" | \
sqlite3 $(DB) | sed -n "/^0|/{s/^0|//;p;}"
check_binaries: internals.txt $(DB)
check_binaries: internals.tsv $(DB)
printf '\033[1mchecking command line tools...\033[m\n' >&2
grep -o 'command line tools\?: [^;]*' $< | sed 's/^[^:]*: //;s/ //g;s/([^)]*)//g' | tr , '\n' | \
sed "s/'/''/g;s|.*|SELECT count(*), '&' FROM files WHERE executable = true AND path GLOB '*/&';|" | \
@@ -176,13 +186,13 @@ check_binaries: internals.txt $(DB)
sed "s/'/''/g;s/.*/SELECT count(*), '&' FROM strings WHERE string GLOB '*&*';/" | \
sqlite3 $(DB) | sed -n "/^0|/{s/^0|//;p;}"
check_manifests: internals.txt $(DB)
check_manifests: internals.tsv $(DB)
printf '\033[1mchecking extension points...\033[m\n' >&2
grep -o 'extension points\?: [^;]*' $< | sed 's/^[^:]*: //;s/ //g;s/([^)]*)//g' | tr , '\n' | \
sed "s/'/''/g;s|.*|SELECT count(*), '&' FROM info, json_each(plist, '$$.NSExtension') WHERE key = 'NSExtensionPointIdentifier' AND value = '&';|" | \
sqlite3 $(DB) | sed -n "/^0|/{s/^0|//;p;}"
check_services: internals.txt $(DB)
check_services: internals.tsv $(DB)
printf '\033[1mchecking launchd services...\033[m\n' >&2
grep -o 'launchd services\?: [^;]*' $< | sed 's/^[^:]*: //;s/ //g;s/([^)]*)//g' | tr , '\n' | \
sed "s/'/''/g;s|.*|SELECT count(*), '&' FROM services, json_each(plist) WHERE key = 'Label' AND value = '&';|" | \

107
flake.lock generated Normal file
View File

@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
{
"nodes": {
"acextract": {
"flake": false,
"locked": {
"lastModified": 1556467432,
"narHash": "sha256-Yh437j5HLwh+s2qBKo3YruBHSJxqH142LuM/Unf+rV4=",
"owner": "bartoszj",
"repo": "acextract",
"rev": "df3b018d53cd4b684a5f6d63535dcc4156be1a97",
"type": "github"
},
"original": {
"owner": "bartoszj",
"repo": "acextract",
"type": "github"
}
},
"command-line": {
"flake": false,
"locked": {
"lastModified": 1556260068,
"narHash": "sha256-3BvUfIbbSsv8AHeg+nEjGVNDbgSOf/P7l6EFo+DvE/I=",
"owner": "iHTCboy",
"repo": "CommandLine",
"rev": "b8209dc17ac1dd0f97ebfbd6a77a0633552626ca",
"type": "github"
},
"original": {
"owner": "iHTCboy",
"repo": "CommandLine",
"type": "github"
}
},
"dsc-extractor": {
"flake": false,
"locked": {
"lastModified": 1636949004,
"narHash": "sha256-5K0CCRx5csFS5yLCWUmkkrKO1Ny3BOwasrrM2fUWgTU=",
"owner": "keith",
"repo": "dyld-shared-cache-extractor",
"rev": "39b5d773495d99cdfaeab1904e47338b7257c59c",
"type": "github"
},
"original": {
"owner": "keith",
"repo": "dyld-shared-cache-extractor",
"type": "github"
}
},
"nixpkgs": {
"locked": {
"lastModified": 1650109093,
"narHash": "sha256-tqlnKrAdJktRLXTou9le0oTqrYBAFpGscV5RADdpArU=",
"owner": "NixOS",
"repo": "nixpkgs",
"rev": "faad370edcb37162401be50d45526f52bb16a713",
"type": "github"
},
"original": {
"id": "nixpkgs",
"ref": "nixpkgs-unstable",
"type": "indirect"
}
},
"root": {
"inputs": {
"acextract": "acextract",
"command-line": "command-line",
"dsc-extractor": "dsc-extractor",
"nixpkgs": "nixpkgs",
"snap-util": "snap-util",
"snapshot-header": "snapshot-header"
}
},
"snap-util": {
"flake": false,
"locked": {
"lastModified": 1647211082,
"narHash": "sha256-zQ/0Cpo6CCeKXafeERjBCQ2gv9396c7UZU+VmViQVIc=",
"owner": "ahl",
"repo": "apfs",
"rev": "2bcf604966949f618e6a6ce33ca8ae1721494e6d",
"type": "github"
},
"original": {
"owner": "ahl",
"repo": "apfs",
"type": "github"
}
},
"snapshot-header": {
"flake": false,
"locked": {
"narHash": "sha256-Y/DTtpnT8JQZO5Ijr+tW0IrIOuECcJ+ZvFLCgwrFt2M=",
"type": "tarball",
"url": "https://opensource.apple.com/tarballs/xnu/xnu-6153.141.1.tar.gz"
},
"original": {
"type": "tarball",
"url": "https://opensource.apple.com/tarballs/xnu/xnu-6153.141.1.tar.gz"
}
}
},
"root": "root",
"version": 7
}

180
flake.nix
View File

@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@
url = "github:iHTCboy/CommandLine";
flake = false;
};
dyld-shared-cache = {
url = "github:antons/dyld-shared-cache-big-sur";
dsc-extractor = {
url = "github:keith/dyld-shared-cache-extractor";
flake = false;
};
snapshot-header = {
@@ -21,79 +21,109 @@
url = "github:ahl/apfs";
flake = false;
};
nixpkgs.url = "flake:nixpkgs/nixpkgs-unstable";
};
outputs = { self, nixpkgs, acextract, command-line, dyld-shared-cache, snapshot-header, snap-util }: {
acextract =
with import nixpkgs { system = "x86_64-darwin"; };
let xcode12 = makeSetupHook {
deps = [ (xcodeenv.composeXcodeWrapper { version = "12.5"; }) ];
} "${xcbuildHook}/nix-support/setup-hook";
in stdenv.mkDerivation {
name = "acextract-${lib.substring 0 8 self.inputs.acextract.lastModifiedDate}";
src = acextract;
nativeBuildInputs = [ xcode12 ];
preBuild = "LD=$CC";
# FIXME: want to have submodule support for Nix flakes, workaround by explicit instantiation
postUnpack = "rmdir source/CommandLine ; ln -s ${command-line} source/CommandLine";
installPhase = ''
mkdir -p $out/bin
cp Products/Release/acextract $out/bin/
'';
dontStrip = true;
};
dyld-shared-cache =
with import nixpkgs { system = "x86_64-darwin"; };
stdenv.mkDerivation {
name = "dyld-shared-cache-util-${lib.substring 0 8 self.inputs.dyld-shared-cache.lastModifiedDate}";
src = dyld-shared-cache;
nativeBuildInputs = [ xcbuildHook ];
xcbuildFlags = [
"-scheme dyld_shared_cache_util"
"-configuration Release"
"GCC_PREPROCESSOR_DEFINITIONS=CC_DIGEST_DEPRECATION_WARNING=\\\"\\\""
];
installPhase = ''
mkdir -p $out/bin
cp Products/Release/{dsc_extractor.bundle,dyld_shared_cache_util} $out/bin/
'';
};
snap-util =
with import nixpkgs { system = "x86_64-darwin"; };
stdenv.mkDerivation {
name = "snap-util-${lib.substring 0 8 self.inputs.snap-util.lastModifiedDate}";
src = snap-util;
nativeBuildInputs = [ (xcodeenv.composeXcodeWrapper { version = "12.5"; }) ];
preBuild = "NIX_CFLAGS_COMPILE='-idirafter ${snapshot-header}/bsd'";
installPhase = ''
mkdir -p $out/bin
cp snapUtil $out/bin/.snapUtil-wrapped
cat > $out/bin/snapUtil <<- EOF
#!/bin/sh
if csrutil status | grep -Fq disabled && sysctl kern.bootargs | grep -Fq amfi_get_out_of_my_way ; then
exec -a ./snapUtil $out/bin/.snapUtil-wrapped "\$@"
else
echo 'snapUtil requires SIP and AMFI to be disabled:'
echo ' boot recovery system'
echo ' run csrutil disable'
echo ' run nvram boot-args=amfi_get_out_of_my_way=0x1'
exit 1
fi
EOF
chmod a+x $out/bin/snapUtil
'';
postFixup = ''
cat > snapUtil.entitlements <<- EOF
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>com.apple.developer.vfs.snapshot</key>
<true/>
</dict>
</plist>
EOF
codesign -s - --entitlement snapUtil.entitlements $out/bin/.snapUtil-wrapped
'';
};
outputs = { self, nixpkgs, acextract, command-line, dsc-extractor, snapshot-header, snap-util }: {
packages.x86_64-darwin = {
acextract =
with import nixpkgs { system = "x86_64-darwin"; };
let xcode = makeSetupHook {
deps = [ (xcodeenv.composeXcodeWrapper { version = "13.4"; }) ];
} "${xcbuildHook}/nix-support/setup-hook";
in stdenv.mkDerivation {
name = "acextract-${lib.substring 0 8 self.inputs.acextract.lastModifiedDate}";
src = acextract;
nativeBuildInputs = [ xcode ];
preBuild = "LD=$CC";
# FIXME: want to have submodule support for Nix flakes, workaround by explicit instantiation
postUnpack = "rmdir source/CommandLine ; ln -s ${command-line} source/CommandLine";
# FIXME: fix for Swift compiler crash
patchPhase = ''
patch -p0 <<- EOF
--- acextract/CoreUI.h
+++ acextract/CoreUI.h
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
// SOFTWARE.
@import Foundation;
+@import CoreGraphics;
// Hierarchy:
// - CUICatalog:
--- acextract/Operation.swift 2021-10-20 10:35:39.000000000 +0200
+++ acextract/Operation.swift 2021-10-20 10:35:46.000000000 +0200
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
// SOFTWARE.
import Foundation
+import ImageIO
// MARK: - Protocols
protocol Operation {
@@ -152,7 +153,7 @@
throw ExtractOperationError.cannotCreatePDFDocument
}
// Create the pdf context
- let cgPage = CGPDFDocument.page(cgPDFDocument) as! CGPDFPage // swiftlint:disable:this force_cast
+ let cgPage = cgPDFDocument.page(at: 0)!
var cgPageRect = cgPage.getBoxRect(.mediaBox)
let mutableData = NSMutableData()
EOF
'';
installPhase = ''
mkdir -p $out/bin
cp Products/Release/acextract $out/bin/
'';
dontStrip = true;
};
dsc-extractor =
with import nixpkgs { system = "x86_64-darwin"; };
stdenv.mkDerivation {
name = "dsc-extractor-${lib.substring 0 8 self.inputs.dsc-extractor.lastModifiedDate}";
src = dsc-extractor;
nativeBuildInputs = [ cmake ];
};
snap-util =
with import nixpkgs { system = "x86_64-darwin"; };
stdenv.mkDerivation {
name = "snap-util-${lib.substring 0 8 self.inputs.snap-util.lastModifiedDate}";
src = snap-util;
nativeBuildInputs = [ (xcodeenv.composeXcodeWrapper { version = "13.4"; }) ];
preBuild = "NIX_CFLAGS_COMPILE='-idirafter ${snapshot-header}/bsd'";
installPhase = ''
mkdir -p $out/bin
cp snapUtil $out/bin/.snapUtil-wrapped
cat > $out/bin/snapUtil <<- EOF
#!/bin/sh
if csrutil status | grep -Fq disabled && sysctl kern.bootargs | grep -Fq amfi_get_out_of_my_way ; then
exec -a ./snapUtil $out/bin/.snapUtil-wrapped "\$@"
else
echo 'snapUtil requires SIP and AMFI to be disabled:'
echo ' boot recovery system'
echo ' run csrutil disable'
echo ' run nvram boot-args=amfi_get_out_of_my_way=0x1'
exit 1
fi
EOF
chmod a+x $out/bin/snapUtil
'';
postFixup = ''
cat > snapUtil.entitlements <<- EOF
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>com.apple.developer.vfs.snapshot</key>
<true/>
<key>com.apple.private.apfs.revert-to-snapshot</key>
<true/>
</dict>
</plist>
EOF
codesign -s - --entitlement snapUtil.entitlements $out/bin/.snapUtil-wrapped
'';
};
};
};
}

View File

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ class Converter {
generate() {
const dl = document.createElement("dl");
dl.setAttribute("class", "row");
for (const rowText of this.text.split("\n"))
for (const rowText of this.text.split("\n").slice(1))
if (rowText.length && rowText.toLowerCase().includes(this.filter.toLowerCase()))
dl.append.apply(dl, this.generateRow(rowText));
return dl;
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ class Converter {
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", event => {
// load main content
fetch("internals.txt").then(function(response) {
fetch("internals.tsv").then(function(response) {
if (!response.ok) return "";
return response.text();
}).then(function(text) {

View File

@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
Term Description
1TR One True Recovery; booting into macOS recovery on Apple Silicon by holding the power button to verify physical presence; enables interaction with SEP to change Boot Policy
AA Apple account
AA Apple Archive, see also Apple Encrypted Archive; command line tools: aa, aea, compression_tool
AAC Automatic Assessment Configuration; AutomaticAssessmentConfiguration.framework; puts device in a locked mode for exam-style test applications
AAT Apple Advanced Typography; font format and rendering engine
Accounts launchd service: com.apple.accountsd; /System/Library/Accounts
ACDE Apple Connect Device External? ACDEClient.framework, old two-step verification, derived from a company-internal AppleConnect system? server: appleconnect.apple.com
ACFS Apple Clustered File System; deprecated file system for Xsan; acfs.framework
Acoustic ID Siri feature to recognize songs
Action extension type for quick interaction with foreign content within a host app; extension points: com.apple.services, com.apple.ui-services
Activation cryptographic check-in with iCloud to lock devices reported by the user as lost; verified by iBoot; MobileActivationMacOS.framework; launchd service: com.apple.mobileactivationd; servers: humb.apple.com, albert.apple.com
Activity jobs, coarse-grained work units of applications; tracked by the system across XPC, bears a QoS class for scheduling; low-level mechanism not to be confused with User Activity
AE Apple Events; messaging system to invoke application functionality; CoreServices.framework/AE.framework; launchd services: com.apple.coreservices.appleevents, com.apple.AEServer (AE over network)
@@ -21,7 +22,9 @@ AMP Apple Media Protocol? former parts of iTunes for iPod and iOS device access
AMP Asynchronous Multiprocessing; performance and power-efficiency cores on Apple Silicon
AMS Apple Media Services; formerly the iTunes stores and media services: App Stores, Apple Music, Apple TV, iCloud media library, Apple Podcasts, Podcast sync, Books Store, Books sync; AppleMediaServices.framework; server: phobos.apple.com
AMX Apple Matrix Extension; ARM instruction set extension for matrix operations
ANE Apple Neural Engine, hardware accelerator for neural network operations; ANECompiler.framework, ANEServices.framework; launchd service: com.apple.aned
Anisette two-factor authentication creates security codes on trusted devices using TOTP, probably using Circle keys, checked by HSA; AuthKit.framework; launchd service: com.apple.akd
AOP Always On Processor, part of Apple SoCs, runs RTKit as operating system
AOS Apple Online Services? historical name for iCloud
Apache built-in web server; command line tool: apachectl
APFS Apple File System; copy-on-write file system with support for volume space-sharing, per-file encryption, and snapshots
@@ -29,24 +32,24 @@ APNS Apple Push Notification service, server infrastructure for remote push noti
App Nap quiescence detection for applications and corresponding self-demotion in scheduler parameters, implemented within application frameworks and RunningBoard, listens for occlusion notifications from WindowServer
App Sandbox Seatbelt-based sandbox for apps; /System/Library/Sandbox/Profiles/application.sb; enabled with com.apple.security.app-sandbox entitlement; launchd service: com.apple.secinitd
AppleCare extended warranty; NewDeviceOutreach.framework; launchd service: com.apple.ndoagent
APT Adaptive Picture Timing? ProMotion; dynamic screen updates with 120Hz base frequency
APT Adaptive Picture Timing? ProMotion; dynamic screen updates with 120Hz base frequency; AppleDisplayTCONControl.framework
ASL Apple System Logger, superseded by Unified Logging; /etc/asl; stored in /var/log/asl; launchd service: com.apple.syslogd; command line tool: syslog
ASR Apple Software Restore; restore entire volumes from sources like disk images (HDI, SIU), also restores based on APFS snapshots and snapshot deltas; command line tool: asr
Assertions power state management allowing applications to prevent sleeping; launchd service: com.apple.powerd; command line tools: caffeinate, pmset
Assessment checking of System Policy; term also used for AAC
Asset Cache discretionary caching server for Mobile Assets, Packages, iOS updates, App Store content, ODR, MMCS data; launchd services: com.apple.AssetCache.builtin, com.apple.AssetCacheLocatorService, com.apple.AssetCacheManagerService, com.apple.AssetCacheTetheratorService; command line tools: AssetCacheLocatorUtil, AssetCacheManagerUtil, AssetCacheTetheratorUtil
Assistant Siri; dictation and semantic understanding, Intent is communicated to and enacted on the client, uses TTS; /System/Library/Assistant, AssistantServices.framework; server: *.siri.apple.com
Assistant Siri; dictation and semantic understanding, Intent is communicated to and enacted on the client, uses TTS for output, Snippets to embed mini UIs into responses; /System/Library/Assistant, /System/Library/Snippets, AssistantServices.framework; server: *.siri.apple.com
ATS App Transport Security, sandbox mechanism only allowing TLS-secured connections
ATSUI Apple Type Services for Unicode Imaging; rendering engine superseded by CoreText.framework, font management; ApplicationServices.framework/ATS.framework; launchd service: com.apple.xtyped (fontd); command line tools: atsutil
ATT App Tracking Transparency; apps declare user tracking on app store
Attestation cryptographic proof of connection to genuine remote SEP; used for web authentication; online service signs a GID-based challenge response? used to pair RemoteXPC channel? stripped down variant used to securely identify Touch ID keyboards
Attestation cryptographic proof of a genuine SEP; used for web authentication and app attestation; DeviceCheck.framework; SEP responds to challenge using hardware-key (GID, PKA), online service verifies; used to pair Touch ID keyboards, used to pair RemoteXPC channel?
Authorization discretionary access control policies for high-level services; similar to PAM; policy stored in /var/db/auth.db
Avatar Memoji; AvatarKit.framework
Avatar Memoji and Animoji (face tracking); AvatarKit.framework
AVB Audio Video Bridging, low-latency audio over Ethernet; launchd service: com.apple.avbdeviced; command line tool: avbdiagnose, avbutil
AWD Apple Wireless Diagnostics, sends system telemetry to Apple; CoreAnalytics.framework, WirelessDiagnostics.framework; launchd services: com.apple.awdd, com.apple.analyticsd
AWDL Apple Wireless Direct Link; secondary WiFi interface that runs in parallel to an active WiFi access point connection, similar to WiFi Direct (p2p interface), uses a randomized MAC, used for peer-to-peer networking: AirDrop, AirPlay; DeviceToDeviceManager.framework
Bento Box UI with aggregated Control Center widgets
Bezel on-screen overlays for hardware volume buttons, screen brightness, Bluetooth HID, and others; /Library/Application Support/Apple/BezelServices, launchd services: com.apple.loginwindow, com.apple.OSDUIHelper
Biome CloudKit-based datastream and sync engine; BiomeStreams.framework, BiomeSync.framework; launchd services: com.apple.BiomeAgent, com.apple.biomesyncd
Blast Door sandboxed sanitization process for untrusted iMessage input; BlastDoor.framework
BOM Bill of Materials; format to store contents of installer Packages; command line tool: lsbom
Bonjour mDNS; launchd service: com.apple.mDNSResponder.reloaded; command line tool: dns-sd
@@ -54,21 +57,24 @@ Boot Cache disk cache pre-heating at boot time with typically loaded application
Boot Policy decides by signature check which OSes can be booted, boot-time equivalent for System Policy; LocalPolicy stores user settings, configurable from 1TR, stored by SEP, enforced by iBoot; command line tools: bputil, kmutil (to enroll custom kernels)
BPR Boot Progress Register; set-only flags to track boot mode (normal, DFU, recovery), part of Keybag class key derivation within SEP, so passcode-protected keys are inaccessible in DFU and recovery
Bridge T2 ARM CPU in Intel Macs to drive Touch Bar and Boot Policy; runs bridgeOS, a derivative of watchOS; boots the platform and the Intel CPU, communication from macOS uses RemoteXPC; launchd service: com.apple.multiversed; /System/Library/MultiversePlugins
Brook hand washing encouragement on watch; BrookServices.framework
Bulletin Board application push notification management, aggregates local and remote push notifications; BulletinBoard.framework
Cache Delete cleanup for various caches; /System/Library/CacheDelete; launchd service: com.apple.cache_delete (deleted)
CAML Core Animation Markup Language; XML file format for layers, shapes and animations
Carousel derivative of SpringBoard for Watch home screen, watch face, and notification center
Celestial media streaming used by ReplayKit for game broadcasts; Celestial.framework
Certificates validity checked using OCSP stapling, locally installed CRLs, and transparency logs; /System/Library/Security/Certificates.bundle; /var/db/crls; launchd services: com.apple.trustd, com.apple.trustd.agent, com.apple.ocspd; command line tool: crlrefresh
Circle cryptographic primitive to exchange public keys of all trusted devices of one user, signed by all Circle peers; iCloud identity keypair as an additional Circle peer, triggers countersigning from all trusted devices, private key synced across all trusted devices, new devices can pull this key from Secure Backup to join the Circle; used by CKKS; KeychainCircle.framework; command line tools: tpctl, otctl (Octagon trust is newer?)
CKKS CloudKit Key Sync, end-to-end secure syncing for credentials, seeded by Circle, transferred items stored ephemerally using OTR protocol; currently includes ApplePay, AutoUnlock, CreditCards, DevicePairing, Engram, Health, Home, Manatee, SOS, WiFi and other keys; launchd service: com.apple.secd; command line tool: ckksctl
Classroom launchd service: com.apple.studentd
Cloud Pairing part of Alloy, Bluetooth out-of-band pairing over iCloud for Continuity; launchd service: com.apple.cloudpaird
Certificates validity checked using CRLs, OCSP stapling, and transparency logs; /System/Library/Security/Certificates.bundle; launchd services: com.apple.trustd, com.apple.trustd.agent, com.apple.ocspd; command line tool: crlrefresh
CHIP Connected Home over IP; Matter; integrated into HomeKit; CHIP.framework
Circle cryptographic primitive to exchange public keys of trusted devices of a user, signed by Circle peers; iCloud identity added as additional Circle peer, private key synced across all trusted devices, new devices can pull this key from Secure Backup to join the Circle; per-device Circles stored in CKKS for two-factor accounts (Octagon); KeychainCircle.framework; command line tools: tpctl, otctl (Octagon)
CKKS CloudKit Key Sync, end-to-end secure syncing for credentials, seeded by Circle; currently includes ApplePay, AutoUnlock, CreditCards, DevicePairing, Engram, Health, Home, Manatee, SOS, WiFi and other keys; launchd service: com.apple.secd; command line tool: ckksctl
Classroom school teachers can create assignments for student iPads and track progress in Schoolwork app; ClassKit.framework; launchd service: com.apple.studentd
Cloud Pairing part of Alloy, Bluetooth out-of-band pairing over iCloud for Continuity; launchd service: com.apple.BTServer.cloudpairing (cloudpaird)
CMAS Commerial Mobile Alert System, now known as Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
Commpage user-mapped kernel data, like vdso/vsyscall on Linux; mapped at 0x7fffffe00000
Communications Filter recipient blocking for iMessage, FaceTime, Mail; launchd service: com.apple.cmfsyncagent
Companion iPhone that is paired with Watch; communication uses Alloy over IPsec over Bluetooth
Continuity umbrella term for Handoff, Sidecar, SMS relay, Universal Clipboard, Watch unlock, WiFi call relay and others; SMS relay works by proxying to iMessage, other services use Alloy
Control Center icons in menu/status bar and Bento Box controls UI, gradually replaces SystemUIServer on macOS; handles incoming AirPlay content; launchd services: com.apple.controlcenter, com.apple.SystemUIServer.agent
CPML CorePrediction Machine Learning; CPMLBestShim.framework
CRD Conference Room Display; Apple TV mode
CTK Crypto Token Kit; smart card management, also for the Secure Element on iOS? launchd service: com.apple.ctkd; command line tool: sc_auth
@@ -76,23 +82,23 @@ CTS Centralized Task Scheduling; execution of DAS tasks; /System/Library/UserEve
CVMS Core VM Server/Service? compilation of GPU shaders; launchd service: com.apple.cvmsServ
DAAP Digital Audio Access Protocol; used by Home Sharing (with Rapport token) and by the Remote app to control Apple TV (with pairing token); payload unencrypted; DAAPKit.framework; Bonjour services: _atc._tcp, _home-sharing._tcp, _mediaremotetv._tcp, _touch-able._tcp
Daily Briefing Siri giving an overview of information for the day; SiriDailyBriefingInternal.framework
DART DMA Address Relocation Table; IOMMU implementation in Apple silicon, positioned in front of peripheral devices, offers sub-page protection; SART: streaming variant for high-throughput devices (like NVMe)
DART DMA Address Relocation Table; IOMMU implementation in Apple silicon, positioned in front of every DMA-capable co-processor and peripheral, offers sub-page protection; SART: streaming variant for high-throughput devices (like NVMe)
DAS Duet Activity Scheduler; scheduling policy engine behind NSBackgroundActivityScheduler and XPC activities; /System/Library/DuetActivityScheduler; launchd service: com.apple.dasd
Data Detectors text analysis to highlight phone numbers, street addresses, and the like; DataDetectors.framework
Data Vault directories with the UF_DATAVAULT special flag; CSR limits access to one application
DAV Distributed Authoring and Versioning; network protocol on top of HTTP for syncing calendars (CalDAV), contacts (CardDAV), and formerly also bookmarks (BookmarkDAV)
DCIM Digital Camera Images; DCIMServices.framework
DCP Display Co-Processor
DEP Device Enrollment Program; devices check in with Apple during Setup Assistant to query for their enrollment status, retrieve MDM server URL to fetch initial configuration profile
DFR Dynamic Function Row?, TouchBar; /System/Library/CoreServices/ControlStrip.app; DFRFoundation.framework
DFU Device Firmware Update; special boot mode where iOS has not booted and the system can be installed over the Lightning connection
Differential Privacy crowdsourcing without user tracking; privacy budget for management of anonymity set; used for keyboard words, emoji, Spotlight searches, Parsec deep links, HealthKit usage, Safari telemetry; /System/Library/DifferentialPrivacy; stored in /var/db/DifferentialPrivacy; launchd service: com.apple.dprivacyd
DND Do Not Disturb
Domain Association signed files in .well-known directory on websites; equivalent to Entitlements for websites
DSID Destination Signaling Identifier, unique ID for IDS login on a specific device
DTrace system-wide tracing infrastructure, command line tools: dtrace, *.d, dappprof, dapptrace, dtruss, errinfo, execsnoop, fddist, fs_usage, imptrace, iopattern, iopending, iosnoop, iotop, lastwords, latency, opensnoop, plockstat, rwsnoop, sampleproc, sc_usage, topsyscall, topsysproc
Duet telemetry collection engine for system and user events, forecasting by machine learning, backend for DAS, Proactive, Relevance, Screen Time, thermal and battery management; /System/Library/DuetKnowledgeBase; CoreDuet.framework, CoreKnowledge.framework, CorePrediction.framework; launchd services: com.apple.coreduetd, com.apple.knowledge-agent
Dyld Shared Cache dynamic linker cache, stores all system libraries in prelinked form, original library files are removed; /System/Library/dyld; command line tool: update_dyld_shared_cache
EAS Exchange Active Sync; network protocol for accessing Microsoft Exchange servers
EDR Extended Dynamic Range; rendering with transfer function extending beyond sRGB white; implemented natively on XDR displays and by backlight modulation on others; HDRProcessing.framework
Energy Impact unitless metric for per-application energy consumption, machine-specific coefficients; /usr/share/pmenergy, /usr/share/kpep; launchd services: com.apple.sysmond, com.apple.thermald; command line tool: powermetrics
Engram Messages in iCloud; devices store received iMessages in CloudKit; Engram.framework
Entitlements capability-like attributes bound to executables by code signing; some entitlements like App Sandbox restrict ambient authority, some gradually relieve those restrictions (using Seatbelt), some services or system calls grant privilege based on caller entitlements
@@ -105,20 +111,22 @@ FDE Full Disk Encryption, FileVault; command line tool: fdesetup, sysadminctl
FDR Factory Data/Device Reset? ensures that no downgrades are performed? servers: skl.apple.com, gg.apple.com; /System/Library/FDR
Feldspar Apple News; Silex.framework
FiDES Fi? Distributed Evaluation Service? aggregates Differential Privacy data for unlinkability? maybe private federated learning? used for emoji, Suggestions, Dictation; /System/Library/DistributedEvaluation; DistributedEvaluation.framework; server: fides-pol.apple.com
Find My … location sharing by explicitly querying devices remotely or collateral beacon detection using Search Party; launchd service: com.apple.icloud.fmfd (find my friends)
File Provider infrastructure and extension system for syncing with cloud providers; placeholder files based on SF_DATALESS attribute in APFS; FileProvider.framework; locally stored in ~/Library/CloudStorage; command line tool: fileproviderctl
Find My … location sharing by explicitly querying devices remotely or collateral beacon detection using Search Party; FMCore.framework, FMF.framework; launchd service: com.apple.icloud.fmfd (find my friends)
Firmlink bi-directional non-symbolic link between the read-only system volume and the data volume, additional symlinks and mountpoints in the root directory are virtually allocated; /usr/share/firmlinks, /etc/synthetic.conf
Focus restriction modes for notification presentation; Focus.framework, DoNotDisturb.framework; local settings in ~/Library/DoNotDisturb
FollowUp user interaction for Secure Backup wrapping with device passcode, CoreFollowUp.framework; launchd service: com.apple.followupd
FoundationDB fundamental iCloud storage database, marketed as CloudKit, separated into containers; records, blobs, and large asset storage with MMCS, server-side continuous queries can trigger push notifications, user management by IDS, sharing between users; PCS keys used for hierarchical zone, record, and asset encryption; CloudKitDaemon.framework; launchd service: com.apple.cloudd; locally stored in ~/Library/Caches/CloudKit, ~/Library/Containers/*/Data/CloudKit
FPR Fast Permission Restrictions; Apple CPU registers to downgrade (old APRRs do bitmasking) or remap (SPRRs since M1) actual permissions of memory pages per thread; used for JIT protection and by AMFI to freeze user code after checking
FUD Firmware Update Daemon; /var/db/fud; launchd service: com.apple.MobileAccessoryUpdater
FoundationDB fundamental iCloud storage database, marketed as CloudKit, separated into containers; records, blobs, and large asset storage with MMCS, server-side continuous queries can trigger push notifications, user management by IDS, sharing between users; PCS keys used for hierarchical zone, record, and asset encryption; CloudKitDaemon.framework; launchd service: com.apple.cloudd; locally stored in ~/Library/Caches/CloudKit, ~/Library/Containers/*/Data/CloudKit; command line tool: cktool
FPR Fast Permission Restrictions; Apple CPU registers to downgrade (old APRRs do bitmasking) or remap (SPRRs since M1) actual permissions of memory pages (the CTRR region) per thread; used for JIT protection and by AMFI to freeze user code after checking
FUD Firmware Update Daemon; /var/db/fud; launchd service: com.apple.accessoryupdaterd
GID group ID key, shared across all devices of the same SoC generation, derived keys are used to prove device type over the network, only accessible by SEP
Gizmo Apple Watch; watch settings managed by Companion; /Applications/Bridge.app, /System/Library/BridgeManifests
Group Activities SharePlay; sharing of media content and programmatic state over FaceTime calls; GroupActivities.framework, CopresenceCore.framework; launchd service: com.apple.telephonyutilities.callservicesd
GSS Generic Security Service; part of Kerberos; GSS.framework; launchd service: com.apple.gssd (invoked by kernel through host special port 19); command line tool: gsstool
GXF Guarded Execution Feature/Fault, additional exception levels on Apple Silicon, lateral to the usual exception levels; page tables remain the same, but interpretation of permission bits changes by way of FPR, genter and gexit instructions; implements lightweight intra-address-space protection contexts
HAP Home Automation Protocol; CoreHAP.framework
HDA High Definition Audio; HDAInterface.framework
HDI Hard Disk Image; command line tool: hdiutil
HDR High Dynamic Range; video with wide-range transfer function; HDRProcessing.framework
HeadBoard derivative of SpringBoard for tvOS home screen; /Applications/HeadBoard.app, /Applications/PineBoard.app
HLS HTTP Live Streaming
HSA Hardware Security Architecture; version 1 used for two-step verification, SOS with iCSC; version 2 for two-factor authentication, CKKS and Secure Backup with iCDP
@@ -131,11 +139,12 @@ iCloud umbrella term for a conglomerate of services, consists of FoundationDB co
iCSC iCloud Security Code, credential wrapping for Secure Backup, previously used a separate code, with HSA2/iCDP uses device passcodes
IDAM Inter-Device Audio and MIDI; audio connection between devices
IDS Identity Service, also IDMS, Apple ID identity management for all of Apples online services; APNS topics for signaling and messaging, see also Alloy, ESS, FaceTime, iMessage; authentication to services with Kerberos
IDV Identity Verification? Touch ID and Face ID; /System/Library/AccessibilityBundles/CoreIDVUI.axbundle
IM Instant Messaging; usually means iMessage and FaceTime
IMG4 boot files (Mach-O binaries or configuration data) with ASN.1 signature, contains RemotePolicy certificate constraints to restrict Boot Policy evaluation
Intent use-case-driven interaction with 3rd-party apps from a host app; used for Siri, Maps, Widgets (configuration); extension points: com.apple.intents-service, com.apple.intents-ui-service
IOKit device driver subsystem for in-kernel and DriverKit drivers, command line tool: ioreg
Ironwood dictation, customized on server with selected user data (contacts, app names, music titles, HomeKit names, Siri Shortcut phrases), not tied to Apple ID; server: guzzoni.apple.com
Ironwood dictation, customized on server with selected user data (contacts, app names, music titles, HomeKit names, Siri Shortcut phrases), not tied to Apple ID; SpeechRecognitionCore.framework; server: guzzoni.apple.com
ISP Image Signal Processor; camera imaging circuit in iPhones
ITML iTunes Markup Language; metdata tagging for media services; ITMLKit.framework
ITP Intelligent Tracking Prevention, cross-site tracking defenses in Safari, statistics and user interaction classify sites, cookies are partitioned and access is restricted
@@ -143,6 +152,7 @@ JARVIS Just A Rather Very Intelligent Scheduler, Mesos cluster manager for Siri,
Jellyfish Animoji
Jetsam reclaiming of purgeable memory and termination of apps during memory pressure
JSC JavaScript Core; JavaScriptCore.framework; command line tool: jsc
Kalamata codename for the transition from x86 to ARM-based Apple Silicon
Kerberos single-sign-on mechanism; Heimdal.framework; command line tools: kinit, ktutil
Kext kernel extension mechanism, loaded at boot time as part of a Kext Collection; /Library/Extensions, /Library/StagedExtensions (for user approval), /System/Library/Extensions; command line tool: kextutil (manages deprecated runtime loading)
Kext Collection prelinked sets of kernel extensions; /System/Library/KernelCollections (for boot and system kexts), /Library/KernelCollections (for auxiliary third-party kexts); the latter is only loaded at a lower-security Boot Policy; launchd service: com.apple.kernelmanagerd (invoked by kernel through host special port 15); command line tool: kmutil
@@ -155,7 +165,7 @@ LKDC Local Key Distribution Center, Kerberos on client machines
LSM Latent Semantic Mapping, text analysis, used for spam filtering, command line tool: lsm
Mac Buddy historic name for Setup Assistant
MAC Policy Mandatory Access Control subsystem in XNU, based on TrustedBSD, implements policy hooks for restricted kernel operations; current policies: AMFI, Seatbelt, Quarantine, CSR
Machine Learning Vision.framework, Espresso.framework, Futhark.framework, PhotoAnalysis.framework
Machine Learning Vision.framework, Espresso.framework, Futhark.framework, PhotoAnalysis.framework; used for Live Text and Visual Lookup; launchd service: com.apple.mediaanalysisd
Madrid iMessage; /System/Library/Messages
Manatee PCS key for some CloudKit containers are synced via CKKS, so data is unreadable to Apple (credential management codenames: Plesio, Stingray, Cuttlefish)
Mangrove transfering UI tiles over XPC; Mangrove.framework, IOSurface.framework
@@ -177,14 +187,14 @@ Mondrian photo collage arrangement in Photos.app; Mondrian.framework
MRT Malware Removal Tool; /Library/Apple/System/Library/CoreServices/MRT.app
Multipeer Connectivity ad-hoc networking; Bonjour for discovery; WiFi, AWDL, Bluetooth, or Ethernet as transport; optional encryption and certificate-based authentication; MultipeerConnectivity.framework
Nano prefix for watchOS
Neural Engine hardware accelerator for neural network operations; ANECompiler.framework, ANEServices.framework; launchd service: com.apple.aned
Nearby Interaction proximity-based interaction between devices; proximity measured using ultra wideband or derived from other technologies; used for Universal Control; NearbyInteraction.framework, Proximity.framework; launchd service: com.apple.nearbyd
Newton fall detection on watchOS
NLP Natural Language Processing; NLP.framework; related to mecabra libraries, a linguistic engine for Chinese and Japanese; /usr/share/mecabra, /usr/share/tokenizer
Notarization app security scan by Apple; cryptographic proof stapled to code signature, tested at launch by System Policy; for non-notarized apps sends code hash to Apple; command line tools: altool, stapler
Notarization app security scan by Apple; cryptographic proof stapled to code signature, tested at launch by System Policy; for non-notarized apps sends code hash to Apple; command line tools: notarytool, altool, stapler
Noticeboard User Notifications for Software Update and App Store, Noticeboard.framework; launchd services: com.apple.noticeboard.state (nbstated), com.apple.noticeboard.agent (nbagent)
Notifications system notification bus, unrelated to the local/remote push notifications; launchd service: com.apple.notifyd, com.apple.kuncd (invoked by kernel through host special port 10); command line tool: notifyutil; complemented by framework-level notification system (CFNotification, NSNotification); launchd services: com.apple.distnoted.xpc.daemon, com.apple.distnoted.xpc.agent
NSP Network Service Proxy; per-app VPN and proxy settings; launchd service: com.apple.networkserviceproxy
OAH Rosetta
NSP Network Service Proxy; per-app VPN and proxy settings, implements Private Relay; launchd service: com.apple.networkserviceproxy
OAH Rosetta; /usr/libexec/rosetta
ODR On-Demand Resources; loaded from App Store; launchd service: com.apple.appstored
Onboarding data protection splash screen shown by service-connected apps; /System/Library/OnBoardingBundles; OnBoardingKit.framework
Open Directory directory service for user, group, and machine management; plugin-based to use different backend stores (LDAP, Active Directory), local accounts in /private/var/db/dslocal; launchd service: com.apple.opendirectoryd; command line tools: dscacheutil, dscl, dsconfigad, dsconfigldap, dseditgroup, dsenableroot, dserr, dsexport, dsimport, dsmemberutil, odutil
@@ -199,31 +209,36 @@ Pasteboard storage for cut, copy, and paste; type of content remembered as UTI;
PCS Protected Cloud Storage; key management for separate iCloud storage compartments (PCS calls them views), each can contain FoundationDB plus bulk data stored by MMCS; see also iCDP, CKKS, Manatee; ProtectedCloudStorage.framework; /System/Library/Preferences/ProtectedCloudStorage; command line tool: pcsstatus
PCSC Personal Computer Smart Card; PCSC.framework, uses CTK
PDE Print Dialog Extension; old name, not a proper Extension
Pegasus picture-in-picture video playback; Pegasus.framework (iOS), PIP.framework (macOS)
Pegasus meaning 1: picture-in-picture video playback; Pegasus.framework (iOS), PIP.framework (macOS); meaning 2: online search query engine for visual lookup; PegasusKit.framework
Pepper UI elements for Watch home screen and Chat, like Quickboard (canned replies), Animoji; PepperUICore.framework
Persona separation of sub-user-identities, like when using a private and managed Apple account; PersonaKit.framework; ~/Library/Personas; /System/Library/UserManagement
Persona separation of sub-user-identities, like when using a private and managed Apple account; PersonaKit.framework; ~/Library/Personas; /System/Library/UserManagement; command line tool: umtool
PHASE Physical Audio Spatialization Engine; 3D sound rendering engine; Apple devices map audio sources (even mono and stereo) to virtual speakers in a 3D sound stage, which is simulated by the physical speakers via a head-related transfer function; PHASE.framework
Piano Mover Mail Drop; bulk mail attachments transfered over PCS; not to be confused with storage for iMessage attachments, which uses a CloudKit container
Plugin Extensions, XPC services bundled with apps or frameworks, discovery by Launch Services; launchd service: com.apple.pluginkit.pkd; command line tool: pluginkit
PMP Port Mapping Protocol; Apple alternative to UPnP, Bonjour service: _acp-sync._tcp
PowerUI battery management like smart charge and power save, learns from Duet and other data; PowerUI.framework; /var/db/PowerUI; launchd service: com.apple.PowerUIAgent
Preferences storage for user-configurable settings; launchd services: com.apple.cfprefsd.xpc.daemon, com.apple.cfprefsd.xpc.agent; stored in Library/Preferences, command line tool: defaults; interaction with Synced Defaults per /System/Library/DefaultsConfigurations
Private Relay two-hop onion routing with one entry and one exit node; Apple operates entry, third-party services operate exit nodes; QUIC for payload, ODoH for DNS, approximate IP geolocation via Waldo; authentication via Attestation, propagated to proxys using RSA blind signatures
Proactive umbrella term for suggestions and completions based on Duet forecasting and User Activity context, also marketed as Siri features; PersonalizationPortrait.framework
QoS Classes inheritable property for Activities; semantic priorities, influences scheduling parameters; initially set at user-level, priority inheritance within GCD queues and across XPC in kernel?
Quagga framework for QR and barcode decoding; Quagga.framework
Quick Action extension type for quick interaction with foreign content within a host app; extension points: com.apple.services, com.apple.ui-services
Quick Look file preview and thumbnail generation; comand line tool: qlmanage
RAOP Remote Audio Output Protocol, AirPlay; Bonjour service: _raop._tcp
Rapport device pairing by proximity using Alloy, with PIN entry, or using iCloud; once paired, devices can access services; used for HomeKit, HomePod, AirPlay, Home Sharing, SideCar; Rapport.framework; launchd service: com.apple.rapportd; Bonjour service: _companion-link._tcp
Recents recently used items (not files) in various applications, synced with Synced Defaults; CoreRecents.framework, /System/Library/Recents; launchd service: com.apple.recentsd
Relevance Engine backend for Siri suggestions (for example of Siri Shortcuts), Widget smart stacks (also Siri watch face); consumes Duet knowledge and app-provided timelines with relevance hints; /System/Library/RelevanceEngine; launchd service: com.apple.relevanced
Remote Pairing Mobile Device pairing without wired connection; RemotePairingDevice.framework; Bonjour services: _remotepairing._tcp, _remotepairing-manual-pairing._tcp
RemoteXPC connection to a non-SoC-integrated SEP like Bridge; uses HTTP/2 over a network interface, Bridge connected over USB, secured using Attestation; RemoteServiceDiscovery.framework, TrustedAccessory.framework; launchd service: com.apple.remoted, com.apple.tracd; command line tool: remotectl
Revisions document autosave and auto-versioning; stored in .DocumentRevisions-V100; GenerationalStorage.framework; launchd service: com.apple.revisiond
Routine frequently visited locations on iOS, interacts with Duet; launchd service: com.apple.routined
RTC Real-time Telemetry and Crash reporting; RTCReporting.framework; launchd service: com.apple.rtcreportingd
RunningBoard runtime management of apps, paradigm: app as service process invoked by system, check-in by frameworks, handles process assertions (frontmost app, see App Nap), memory pressure (see Jetsam) and compute resources (GPU), replacement for TAL?; launchd service: com.apple.runningboardd; /System/Library/RunningBoard
RTKit operating system used on Apple Silicon for firmware of co-processors
RunningBoard runtime management of apps, paradigm: app as service process invoked by system, check-in by frameworks, handles process assertions (frontmost app, see App Nap), memory pressure (see Jetsam) and compute resources (GPU), replacement for TAL?; launchd service: com.apple.runningboardd; /System/Library/LifecyclePolicy, /System/Library/RunningBoard
SBPL Sandbox Profile Language; a TinyScheme-based embedded DSL for Seatbelt profiles
SCIP System Coprocessor Integrity Protection; like KIP, but for SEP, ISP, Motion coprocessor
Screen Reader VoiceOver and Braille; /System/Library/ScreenReader; ScreenReader.framework
Screen Time digital wellbeing and parental controls system, uses Device Management as policy engine, self-enforced within the application by frameworks; launchd services: com.apple.ScreenTimeAgent, com.apple.dmd
Screen Time digital wellbeing and parental controls system, uses Device Management as policy engine, self-enforced within the application by frameworks; DeviceActivity.framework, ManagedSettings.framework, FamilyControls.framework; launchd services: com.apple.ScreenTimeAgent, com.apple.dmd
SDB SQL Database; CoreSDB.framework, used by iCloud communication
Search Party portion of Find My service for offline devices; devices emit public part of rotating key pair via Bluetooth LE, other devices encrypt current location with this key and send to Apple, private key shared over CloudKit
Seatbelt process sandbox by filtering system calls; profiles written in SBPL; /System/Library/Sandbox/Profiles, /usr/share/sandbox; default file access policy asks for TCC confirmation before access to folders with user data (like Documents) is allowed; command line tool: sandbox-exec; launchd service: com.apple.sandboxd (invoked by kernel through host special port 14 for logging)
@@ -237,13 +252,15 @@ Sidecar using iPhone/iPad as Mac accessory: camera for photos and scanning, anno
Signpost telemetry API to report points of interest in code; launchd service: com.apple.signpost.signpost_reporter
Simulator running an iOS/tvOS/watchOS personality on macOS, uses sandboxing and a separate Mach bootstrap namespace for container-like isolation, command line tool: simctl
SIP System Integrity Protection or rootless mode; collection of kernel-level security restrictions regarding file system modification, unsigned Kexts, Taskport access, NVRAM access, DTrace; /System/Library/Sandbox/rootless.conf; command line tool: csrutil, rootless-init
Site Association signed files in .well-known directory on websites; equivalent to Entitlements for websites, associates domains with app IDs for Universal Links; command line tool: swcutil
SKP Sealed Key Protection; measurement of system state (boot chain IMG4 manifests, BPR, Boot Policy data, UID key, user passcode) to derive Keybag keys
SKS Secure Key Store; handling of keybag keys within the SEP
SkyLight WindowServer; SkyLight.framework
Skywalk network subsystem in XNU, links together actual technologies (Bluetooth, WiFi, Thunderbolt) and interfaces/tunnels; transacts in nexus (for conduits) and agent (for endpoints) objects; DriverKit network drivers use Skywalk; command line tool: skywalkctl
SLC System-Level Cache, architectural feature of Apple Silicon; cache located within SoC at controllers for external DRAM, serves all compute units and stages transfers between them
Social Gaming Game Center; multiplayer gaming services on top of CloudKit, shared storage and low-latency multicast for multiplayer sessions; launchd service: com.apple.gamed
Sock Puppet Watch interaction that requires Companion device
SOS Secure Object Sync; syncing backend for iCloud Keychain, not to be confused with the emergency call feature; transferred items previously staged in Synced Defaults, now uses CKKS; launchd services: com.apple.secd (access to local keychain), com.apple.security.cloudkeychainproxy3 (connects to Synced Defaults), com.apple.security.keychain-circle-notification
SOS Secure Object Sync; syncing backend for iCloud Keychain, not to be confused with the emergency call feature; transferred items previously staged in Synced Defaults, for two-factor accounts in CKKS; launchd services: com.apple.secd (access to local keychain), com.apple.security.cloudkeychainproxy3 (connects to Synced Defaults), com.apple.security.keychain-circle-notification
SPI System Private Interface; /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks
SpringBoard iOS home screen; like Dock (Launchpad, Mission Control, desktop picture), Control Center, SystemUIServer (menu extras icons), loginwindow (lock screen), and WindowServer (compositor) on macOS; /System/Library/CoreServices/SpringBoard.app, /Applications/PreBoard.app, BaseBoard.framework, FrontBoard.framework, SplashBoard.framework; launchd service: com.apple.backboardd (compositor)
SPRR Shadow Permission Remap Register? feature of Apple Silicon to dynamically reintepret page permissions
@@ -254,7 +271,7 @@ Stark CarPlay
Stockholm Secure Element in Apple SoCs, a processor running crypto protocols on keys it protects; used for Apple Pay and Car Key; related codenames: Icefall, Warsaw
Storage Management freeing up disk space by managing bulky items; UI in System Information.app; StorageManagement.framework; launchd service: com.apple.diskspaced; extension point: com.apple.storagemanagement; extends Cache Delete service
Suggestions semantic analysis of mails and websites to suggest contacts, calendar events and the like; launchd services: com.apple.suggestd, com.apple.reversetemplated; custom JavaScript parsers in /System/Library/AssetsV2/com_apple_MobileAsset_CoreSuggestions
Symbols debug symbols for backtraces; CoreSymbolication.framework; launchd services: com.apple.coresymbolicationd; command line tools: symbols, symbolscache
Symbols debug symbols for backtraces; CoreSymbolication.framework; launchd services: com.apple.coresymbolicationd; command line tools: atos, symbols, symbolscache
Symptoms network diagnostics; Symptoms.framework; /var/networkd/db/netusage.sqlite; launchd service: com.apple.symptomsd (invoked by kernel through host special port 27)
Synced Defaults simple key-value store for applications, no user control over data; can use iCloud key-value backend (old) or Manatee container (new, marked as com.apple.kvs) as storage; launchd service: com.apple.syncdefaultsd; locally stored in ~/Library/SyncedPreferences
System Configuration SystemConfiguration.framework; launchd service: com.apple.configd; command line tool: scutil
@@ -266,23 +283,24 @@ TCC Transparency, Consent, and Control; user control over app access to privacy-
Time Machine automatic backup service, command line tools: tmdiagnose, tmutil
Tin Can Walkie Talkie on watchOS
Tones ringtones; ToneLibrary.framework
Tourist backend for user-visible tips and hints; launchd service: com.apple.touristd
Translocation app binary copied on launch to dedicated location; initiated by Launch Services for security (prevents path traversal for apps quarantined by System Policy) or path normalization (iOS apps do not expect to be moved, but can be moved on macOS)
Transparency key transparency for ESS keys? Transparency.framework; launchd service: com.apple.transparencyd; server: init-kt.apple.com
TSS Tatsu Signing Server; online verification for firmware signatures; server: gs.apple.com
TTS Text To Speech, command line tool: say; /System/Library/Speech; synthesizer engines: MacinTalk (historic), Polyglot (phoneme-based?), Gryphon (current, DNN-based?)
TVML TV Markup Language; declarative UI language for TV apps; TVMLKit.framework
Ubiquity iCloud Drive; uses CloudKit, codename Bladerunner; CloudDocs.framework; command line tools: fileproviderctl; launchd service: com.apple.bird (iclouddrive-agent); locally stored in ~/Library/Mobile Documents (was supposed to move to Library/CloudStorage/iCloud Drive and iclouddrivectl but this was reverted)
Ubiquity iCloud Drive; codename Bladerunner, uses CloudKit; CloudDocs.framework; launchd service: com.apple.bird; locally stored in ~/Library/Mobile Documents (was supposed to move to Library/CloudStorage/iCloud Drive but this was reverted)
UID unique ID key, used as root key for cryptographic subsystems, generated during manufacturing by SEP and fused into hardware, only accessible by SEP
Unified Logging system-wide logging and Activity tracking; launchd service: com.apple.logd, com.apple.diagnosticd; command line tool: log; /dev/oslog; data stored in /var/db/diagnostics, support files in /var/db/uuidtext
User Activity abstraction behind deep-linking into apps with structured context data (people, places); used for Universal Links (with schema.org on websites), Handoff, Parsec, Siri Shortcuts, Proactive; UserActivity.framework; launchd service: com.apple.coreservices.useractivityd
User Activity abstraction for deep-linking into apps with structured context (people, places); used for Universal Links (schema.org on websites), Handoff, Parsec (app links in search), Siri Shortcuts, Quick Note (context awareness), Proactive; UserActivity.framework; launchd service: com.apple.coreservices.useractivityd
User Notifications user interface for notification center; launchd service: com.apple.usernoted
UTI Uniform Type Identifiers; system for document types; file extensions and MIME types are mapped to UTIs, UTIs form a conformance graph, apps register their UTIs with Launch Services; /System/Library/CoreServices/CoreTypes.bundle; also Apples hardware devices are represented as UTIs
VA Video Acceleration; AppleGVA.framework, AppleVA.framework, AppleVPA.framework
Viceroy video conferencing used by FaceTime and ReplayKit
Viceroy video conferencing used by FaceTime and ReplayKit; ViceroyTrace.framework
VSDB volume status database; /var/db/volinfo.database; command line tool: vsdbutil
Waldo Apple VPN service? seen in NSP, server: waldo.apple.com
Waldo selects edge servers based on approximate location, part of Private Relay, seen in NSP
WFS WebDAV File Sharing; built-in file sharing with Apache; /etc/wfs; command line tool: wfsctl
Widgets content excerpt from apps; provided via a timeline of view hierarchies, configuration uses Intents, technically very similar to complications on watch face; extension point: com.apple.widgetkit-extension
Widgets content excerpt from apps; provided via a timeline of view hierarchies, configuration uses Intents, technically very similar to complications on watch face; extension point: com.apple.widgetkit-extension
Willow HomeKit; end-to-end-encrypted communication protocol and API for IoT-accessories; pairing with SRP using code printed on device, credential sync by CKKS, transported over Alloy, remote access using Apple TV as proxy; launchd service: com.apple.homed
Workflow Shortcuts; user-programmable system-wide automation, built-in triggers cause a chain of actions to run; actions are synthesized from User Activities and Intents provided by apps; WorkflowKit.framework, ActionKit.framework; locally stored in ~/Library/Shortcuts; launchd service: com.apple.siriactionsd (voice-triggered shortcuts); command line tool: shortcuts
xART eXtended Anti-Replay Technology; persistent storage for SEP, used by Mesa; /System/Volumes/xarts; launchd service: com.apple.xartstorageremoted; command line tool: xartutil
XCS Xcode Server; continuous integration server; command line tools: xcscontrol, xcsdiagnose
1 1TR Term One True Recovery; booting into macOS recovery on Apple Silicon by holding the power button to verify physical presence; enables interaction with SEP to change Boot Policy Description
1 Term Description
2 1TR 1TR One True Recovery; booting into macOS recovery on Apple Silicon by holding the power button to verify physical presence; enables interaction with SEP to change Boot Policy One True Recovery; booting into macOS recovery on Apple Silicon by holding the power button to verify physical presence; enables interaction with SEP to change Boot Policy
3 AA AA Apple account Apple account
4 AA Apple Archive, see also Apple Encrypted Archive; command line tools: aa, aea, compression_tool
5 AAC AAC Automatic Assessment Configuration; AutomaticAssessmentConfiguration.framework; puts device in a locked mode for exam-style test applications Automatic Assessment Configuration; AutomaticAssessmentConfiguration.framework; puts device in a locked mode for exam-style test applications
6 AAT AAT Apple Advanced Typography; font format and rendering engine Apple Advanced Typography; font format and rendering engine
7 Accounts Accounts launchd service: com.apple.accountsd; /System/Library/Accounts launchd service: com.apple.accountsd; /System/Library/Accounts
8 ACDE ACDE Apple Connect Device External? ACDEClient.framework, old two-step verification, derived from a company-internal AppleConnect system? server: appleconnect.apple.com Apple Connect Device External? ACDEClient.framework, old two-step verification, derived from a company-internal AppleConnect system? server: appleconnect.apple.com
9 ACFS ACFS Apple Clustered File System; deprecated file system for Xsan; acfs.framework Apple Clustered File System; deprecated file system for Xsan; acfs.framework
10 Acoustic ID Acoustic ID Siri feature to recognize songs Siri feature to recognize songs
Action extension type for quick interaction with foreign content within a host app; extension points: com.apple.services, com.apple.ui-services
11 Activation Activation cryptographic check-in with iCloud to lock devices reported by the user as lost; verified by iBoot; MobileActivationMacOS.framework; launchd service: com.apple.mobileactivationd; servers: humb.apple.com, albert.apple.com cryptographic check-in with iCloud to lock devices reported by the user as lost; verified by iBoot; MobileActivationMacOS.framework; launchd service: com.apple.mobileactivationd; servers: humb.apple.com, albert.apple.com
12 Activity Activity jobs, coarse-grained work units of applications; tracked by the system across XPC, bears a QoS class for scheduling; low-level mechanism not to be confused with User Activity jobs, coarse-grained work units of applications; tracked by the system across XPC, bears a QoS class for scheduling; low-level mechanism not to be confused with User Activity
13 AE AE Apple Events; messaging system to invoke application functionality; CoreServices.framework/AE.framework; launchd services: com.apple.coreservices.appleevents, com.apple.AEServer (AE over network) Apple Events; messaging system to invoke application functionality; CoreServices.framework/AE.framework; launchd services: com.apple.coreservices.appleevents, com.apple.AEServer (AE over network)
22 AMP AMP Asynchronous Multiprocessing; performance and power-efficiency cores on Apple Silicon Asynchronous Multiprocessing; performance and power-efficiency cores on Apple Silicon
23 AMS AMS Apple Media Services; formerly the iTunes stores and media services: App Stores, Apple Music, Apple TV, iCloud media library, Apple Podcasts, Podcast sync, Books Store, Books sync; AppleMediaServices.framework; server: phobos.apple.com Apple Media Services; formerly the iTunes stores and media services: App Stores, Apple Music, Apple TV, iCloud media library, Apple Podcasts, Podcast sync, Books Store, Books sync; AppleMediaServices.framework; server: phobos.apple.com
24 AMX AMX Apple Matrix Extension; ARM instruction set extension for matrix operations Apple Matrix Extension; ARM instruction set extension for matrix operations
25 ANE Apple Neural Engine, hardware accelerator for neural network operations; ANECompiler.framework, ANEServices.framework; launchd service: com.apple.aned
26 Anisette Anisette two-factor authentication creates security codes on trusted devices using TOTP, probably using Circle keys, checked by HSA; AuthKit.framework; launchd service: com.apple.akd two-factor authentication creates security codes on trusted devices using TOTP, probably using Circle keys, checked by HSA; AuthKit.framework; launchd service: com.apple.akd
27 AOP Always On Processor, part of Apple SoCs, runs RTKit as operating system
28 AOS AOS Apple Online Services? historical name for iCloud Apple Online Services? historical name for iCloud
29 Apache Apache built-in web server; command line tool: apachectl built-in web server; command line tool: apachectl
30 APFS APFS Apple File System; copy-on-write file system with support for volume space-sharing, per-file encryption, and snapshots Apple File System; copy-on-write file system with support for volume space-sharing, per-file encryption, and snapshots
32 App Nap App Nap quiescence detection for applications and corresponding self-demotion in scheduler parameters, implemented within application frameworks and RunningBoard, listens for occlusion notifications from WindowServer quiescence detection for applications and corresponding self-demotion in scheduler parameters, implemented within application frameworks and RunningBoard, listens for occlusion notifications from WindowServer
33 App Sandbox App Sandbox Seatbelt-based sandbox for apps; /System/Library/Sandbox/Profiles/application.sb; enabled with com.apple.security.app-sandbox entitlement; launchd service: com.apple.secinitd Seatbelt-based sandbox for apps; /System/Library/Sandbox/Profiles/application.sb; enabled with com.apple.security.app-sandbox entitlement; launchd service: com.apple.secinitd
34 AppleCare AppleCare extended warranty; NewDeviceOutreach.framework; launchd service: com.apple.ndoagent extended warranty; NewDeviceOutreach.framework; launchd service: com.apple.ndoagent
35 APT APT Adaptive Picture Timing? ProMotion; dynamic screen updates with 120Hz base frequency Adaptive Picture Timing? ProMotion; dynamic screen updates with 120Hz base frequency; AppleDisplayTCONControl.framework
36 ASL ASL Apple System Logger, superseded by Unified Logging; /etc/asl; stored in /var/log/asl; launchd service: com.apple.syslogd; command line tool: syslog Apple System Logger, superseded by Unified Logging; /etc/asl; stored in /var/log/asl; launchd service: com.apple.syslogd; command line tool: syslog
37 ASR ASR Apple Software Restore; restore entire volumes from sources like disk images (HDI, SIU), also restores based on APFS snapshots and snapshot deltas; command line tool: asr Apple Software Restore; restore entire volumes from sources like disk images (HDI, SIU), also restores based on APFS snapshots and snapshot deltas; command line tool: asr
38 Assertions Assertions power state management allowing applications to prevent sleeping; launchd service: com.apple.powerd; command line tools: caffeinate, pmset power state management allowing applications to prevent sleeping; launchd service: com.apple.powerd; command line tools: caffeinate, pmset
39 Assessment Assessment checking of System Policy; term also used for AAC checking of System Policy; term also used for AAC
40 Asset Cache Asset Cache discretionary caching server for Mobile Assets, Packages, iOS updates, App Store content, ODR, MMCS data; launchd services: com.apple.AssetCache.builtin, com.apple.AssetCacheLocatorService, com.apple.AssetCacheManagerService, com.apple.AssetCacheTetheratorService; command line tools: AssetCacheLocatorUtil, AssetCacheManagerUtil, AssetCacheTetheratorUtil discretionary caching server for Mobile Assets, Packages, iOS updates, App Store content, ODR, MMCS data; launchd services: com.apple.AssetCache.builtin, com.apple.AssetCacheLocatorService, com.apple.AssetCacheManagerService, com.apple.AssetCacheTetheratorService; command line tools: AssetCacheLocatorUtil, AssetCacheManagerUtil, AssetCacheTetheratorUtil
41 Assistant Assistant Siri; dictation and semantic understanding, Intent is communicated to and enacted on the client, uses TTS; /System/Library/Assistant, AssistantServices.framework; server: *.siri.apple.com Siri; dictation and semantic understanding, Intent is communicated to and enacted on the client, uses TTS for output, Snippets to embed mini UIs into responses; /System/Library/Assistant, /System/Library/Snippets, AssistantServices.framework; server: *.siri.apple.com
42 ATS ATS App Transport Security, sandbox mechanism only allowing TLS-secured connections App Transport Security, sandbox mechanism only allowing TLS-secured connections
43 ATSUI ATSUI Apple Type Services for Unicode Imaging; rendering engine superseded by CoreText.framework, font management; ApplicationServices.framework/ATS.framework; launchd service: com.apple.xtyped (fontd); command line tools: atsutil Apple Type Services for Unicode Imaging; rendering engine superseded by CoreText.framework, font management; ApplicationServices.framework/ATS.framework; launchd service: com.apple.xtyped (fontd); command line tools: atsutil
44 ATT ATT App Tracking Transparency; apps declare user tracking on app store App Tracking Transparency; apps declare user tracking on app store
45 Attestation Attestation cryptographic proof of connection to genuine remote SEP; used for web authentication; online service signs a GID-based challenge response? used to pair RemoteXPC channel? stripped down variant used to securely identify Touch ID keyboards cryptographic proof of a genuine SEP; used for web authentication and app attestation; DeviceCheck.framework; SEP responds to challenge using hardware-key (GID, PKA), online service verifies; used to pair Touch ID keyboards, used to pair RemoteXPC channel?
46 Authorization Authorization discretionary access control policies for high-level services; similar to PAM; policy stored in /var/db/auth.db discretionary access control policies for high-level services; similar to PAM; policy stored in /var/db/auth.db
47 Avatar Avatar Memoji; AvatarKit.framework Memoji and Animoji (face tracking); AvatarKit.framework
48 AVB AVB Audio Video Bridging, low-latency audio over Ethernet; launchd service: com.apple.avbdeviced; command line tool: avbdiagnose, avbutil Audio Video Bridging, low-latency audio over Ethernet; launchd service: com.apple.avbdeviced; command line tool: avbdiagnose, avbutil
49 AWD AWD Apple Wireless Diagnostics, sends system telemetry to Apple; CoreAnalytics.framework, WirelessDiagnostics.framework; launchd services: com.apple.awdd, com.apple.analyticsd Apple Wireless Diagnostics, sends system telemetry to Apple; CoreAnalytics.framework, WirelessDiagnostics.framework; launchd services: com.apple.awdd, com.apple.analyticsd
50 AWDL AWDL Apple Wireless Direct Link; secondary WiFi interface that runs in parallel to an active WiFi access point connection, similar to WiFi Direct (p2p interface), uses a randomized MAC, used for peer-to-peer networking: AirDrop, AirPlay; DeviceToDeviceManager.framework Apple Wireless Direct Link; secondary WiFi interface that runs in parallel to an active WiFi access point connection, similar to WiFi Direct (p2p interface), uses a randomized MAC, used for peer-to-peer networking: AirDrop, AirPlay; DeviceToDeviceManager.framework
Bento Box UI with aggregated Control Center widgets
51 Bezel Bezel on-screen overlays for hardware volume buttons, screen brightness, Bluetooth HID, and others; /Library/Application Support/Apple/BezelServices, launchd services: com.apple.loginwindow, com.apple.OSDUIHelper on-screen overlays for hardware volume buttons, screen brightness, Bluetooth HID, and others; /Library/Application Support/Apple/BezelServices, launchd services: com.apple.loginwindow, com.apple.OSDUIHelper
52 Biome CloudKit-based datastream and sync engine; BiomeStreams.framework, BiomeSync.framework; launchd services: com.apple.BiomeAgent, com.apple.biomesyncd
53 Blast Door Blast Door sandboxed sanitization process for untrusted iMessage input; BlastDoor.framework sandboxed sanitization process for untrusted iMessage input; BlastDoor.framework
54 BOM BOM Bill of Materials; format to store contents of installer Packages; command line tool: lsbom Bill of Materials; format to store contents of installer Packages; command line tool: lsbom
55 Bonjour Bonjour mDNS; launchd service: com.apple.mDNSResponder.reloaded; command line tool: dns-sd mDNS; launchd service: com.apple.mDNSResponder.reloaded; command line tool: dns-sd
57 Boot Policy Boot Policy decides by signature check which OSes can be booted, boot-time equivalent for System Policy; LocalPolicy stores user settings, configurable from 1TR, stored by SEP, enforced by iBoot; command line tools: bputil, kmutil (to enroll custom kernels) decides by signature check which OSes can be booted, boot-time equivalent for System Policy; LocalPolicy stores user settings, configurable from 1TR, stored by SEP, enforced by iBoot; command line tools: bputil, kmutil (to enroll custom kernels)
58 BPR BPR Boot Progress Register; set-only flags to track boot mode (normal, DFU, recovery), part of Keybag class key derivation within SEP, so passcode-protected keys are inaccessible in DFU and recovery Boot Progress Register; set-only flags to track boot mode (normal, DFU, recovery), part of Keybag class key derivation within SEP, so passcode-protected keys are inaccessible in DFU and recovery
59 Bridge Bridge T2 ARM CPU in Intel Macs to drive Touch Bar and Boot Policy; runs bridgeOS, a derivative of watchOS; boots the platform and the Intel CPU, communication from macOS uses RemoteXPC; launchd service: com.apple.multiversed; /System/Library/MultiversePlugins T2 ARM CPU in Intel Macs to drive Touch Bar and Boot Policy; runs bridgeOS, a derivative of watchOS; boots the platform and the Intel CPU, communication from macOS uses RemoteXPC; launchd service: com.apple.multiversed; /System/Library/MultiversePlugins
60 Brook hand washing encouragement on watch; BrookServices.framework
61 Bulletin Board Bulletin Board application push notification management, aggregates local and remote push notifications; BulletinBoard.framework application push notification management, aggregates local and remote push notifications; BulletinBoard.framework
62 Cache Delete Cache Delete cleanup for various caches; /System/Library/CacheDelete; launchd service: com.apple.cache_delete (deleted) cleanup for various caches; /System/Library/CacheDelete; launchd service: com.apple.cache_delete (deleted)
63 CAML CAML Core Animation Markup Language; XML file format for layers, shapes and animations Core Animation Markup Language; XML file format for layers, shapes and animations
64 Carousel Carousel derivative of SpringBoard for Watch home screen, watch face, and notification center derivative of SpringBoard for Watch home screen, watch face, and notification center
65 Celestial Celestial media streaming used by ReplayKit for game broadcasts; Celestial.framework media streaming used by ReplayKit for game broadcasts; Celestial.framework
66 Certificates Certificates validity checked using OCSP stapling, locally installed CRLs, and transparency logs; /System/Library/Security/Certificates.bundle; /var/db/crls; launchd services: com.apple.trustd, com.apple.trustd.agent, com.apple.ocspd; command line tool: crlrefresh validity checked using CRLs, OCSP stapling, and transparency logs; /System/Library/Security/Certificates.bundle; launchd services: com.apple.trustd, com.apple.trustd.agent, com.apple.ocspd; command line tool: crlrefresh
67 Circle CHIP cryptographic primitive to exchange public keys of all trusted devices of one user, signed by all Circle peers; iCloud identity keypair as an additional Circle peer, triggers countersigning from all trusted devices, private key synced across all trusted devices, new devices can pull this key from Secure Backup to join the Circle; used by CKKS; KeychainCircle.framework; command line tools: tpctl, otctl (Octagon trust is newer?) Connected Home over IP; Matter; integrated into HomeKit; CHIP.framework
68 CKKS Circle CloudKit Key Sync, end-to-end secure syncing for credentials, seeded by Circle, transferred items stored ephemerally using OTR protocol; currently includes ApplePay, AutoUnlock, CreditCards, DevicePairing, Engram, Health, Home, Manatee, SOS, WiFi and other keys; launchd service: com.apple.secd; command line tool: ckksctl cryptographic primitive to exchange public keys of trusted devices of a user, signed by Circle peers; iCloud identity added as additional Circle peer, private key synced across all trusted devices, new devices can pull this key from Secure Backup to join the Circle; per-device Circles stored in CKKS for two-factor accounts (Octagon); KeychainCircle.framework; command line tools: tpctl, otctl (Octagon)
69 Classroom CKKS launchd service: com.apple.studentd CloudKit Key Sync, end-to-end secure syncing for credentials, seeded by Circle; currently includes ApplePay, AutoUnlock, CreditCards, DevicePairing, Engram, Health, Home, Manatee, SOS, WiFi and other keys; launchd service: com.apple.secd; command line tool: ckksctl
70 Cloud Pairing Classroom part of Alloy, Bluetooth out-of-band pairing over iCloud for Continuity; launchd service: com.apple.cloudpaird school teachers can create assignments for student iPads and track progress in Schoolwork app; ClassKit.framework; launchd service: com.apple.studentd
71 Cloud Pairing part of Alloy, Bluetooth out-of-band pairing over iCloud for Continuity; launchd service: com.apple.BTServer.cloudpairing (cloudpaird)
72 CMAS CMAS Commerial Mobile Alert System, now known as Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) Commerial Mobile Alert System, now known as Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
73 Commpage Commpage user-mapped kernel data, like vdso/vsyscall on Linux; mapped at 0x7fffffe00000 user-mapped kernel data, like vdso/vsyscall on Linux; mapped at 0x7fffffe00000
74 Communications Filter Communications Filter recipient blocking for iMessage, FaceTime, Mail; launchd service: com.apple.cmfsyncagent recipient blocking for iMessage, FaceTime, Mail; launchd service: com.apple.cmfsyncagent
75 Companion Companion iPhone that is paired with Watch; communication uses Alloy over IPsec over Bluetooth iPhone that is paired with Watch; communication uses Alloy over IPsec over Bluetooth
76 Continuity Continuity umbrella term for Handoff, Sidecar, SMS relay, Universal Clipboard, Watch unlock, WiFi call relay and others; SMS relay works by proxying to iMessage, other services use Alloy umbrella term for Handoff, Sidecar, SMS relay, Universal Clipboard, Watch unlock, WiFi call relay and others; SMS relay works by proxying to iMessage, other services use Alloy
77 Control Center icons in menu/status bar and Bento Box controls UI, gradually replaces SystemUIServer on macOS; handles incoming AirPlay content; launchd services: com.apple.controlcenter, com.apple.SystemUIServer.agent
78 CPML CPML CorePrediction Machine Learning; CPMLBestShim.framework CorePrediction Machine Learning; CPMLBestShim.framework
79 CRD CRD Conference Room Display; Apple TV mode Conference Room Display; Apple TV mode
80 CTK CTK Crypto Token Kit; smart card management, also for the Secure Element on iOS? launchd service: com.apple.ctkd; command line tool: sc_auth Crypto Token Kit; smart card management, also for the Secure Element on iOS? launchd service: com.apple.ctkd; command line tool: sc_auth
82 CVMS CVMS Core VM Server/Service? compilation of GPU shaders; launchd service: com.apple.cvmsServ Core VM Server/Service? compilation of GPU shaders; launchd service: com.apple.cvmsServ
83 DAAP DAAP Digital Audio Access Protocol; used by Home Sharing (with Rapport token) and by the Remote app to control Apple TV (with pairing token); payload unencrypted; DAAPKit.framework; Bonjour services: _atc._tcp, _home-sharing._tcp, _mediaremotetv._tcp, _touch-able._tcp Digital Audio Access Protocol; used by Home Sharing (with Rapport token) and by the Remote app to control Apple TV (with pairing token); payload unencrypted; DAAPKit.framework; Bonjour services: _atc._tcp, _home-sharing._tcp, _mediaremotetv._tcp, _touch-able._tcp
84 Daily Briefing Daily Briefing Siri giving an overview of information for the day; SiriDailyBriefingInternal.framework Siri giving an overview of information for the day; SiriDailyBriefingInternal.framework
85 DART DART DMA Address Relocation Table; IOMMU implementation in Apple silicon, positioned in front of peripheral devices, offers sub-page protection; SART: streaming variant for high-throughput devices (like NVMe) DMA Address Relocation Table; IOMMU implementation in Apple silicon, positioned in front of every DMA-capable co-processor and peripheral, offers sub-page protection; SART: streaming variant for high-throughput devices (like NVMe)
86 DAS DAS Duet Activity Scheduler; scheduling policy engine behind NSBackgroundActivityScheduler and XPC activities; /System/Library/DuetActivityScheduler; launchd service: com.apple.dasd Duet Activity Scheduler; scheduling policy engine behind NSBackgroundActivityScheduler and XPC activities; /System/Library/DuetActivityScheduler; launchd service: com.apple.dasd
87 Data Detectors Data Detectors text analysis to highlight phone numbers, street addresses, and the like; DataDetectors.framework text analysis to highlight phone numbers, street addresses, and the like; DataDetectors.framework
88 Data Vault Data Vault directories with the UF_DATAVAULT special flag; CSR limits access to one application directories with the UF_DATAVAULT special flag; CSR limits access to one application
89 DAV DAV Distributed Authoring and Versioning; network protocol on top of HTTP for syncing calendars (CalDAV), contacts (CardDAV), and formerly also bookmarks (BookmarkDAV) Distributed Authoring and Versioning; network protocol on top of HTTP for syncing calendars (CalDAV), contacts (CardDAV), and formerly also bookmarks (BookmarkDAV)
90 DCIM DCP Digital Camera Images; DCIMServices.framework Display Co-Processor
91 DEP DEP Device Enrollment Program; devices check in with Apple during Setup Assistant to query for their enrollment status, retrieve MDM server URL to fetch initial configuration profile Device Enrollment Program; devices check in with Apple during Setup Assistant to query for their enrollment status, retrieve MDM server URL to fetch initial configuration profile
92 DFR DFR Dynamic Function Row?, TouchBar; /System/Library/CoreServices/ControlStrip.app; DFRFoundation.framework Dynamic Function Row?, TouchBar; /System/Library/CoreServices/ControlStrip.app; DFRFoundation.framework
93 DFU DFU Device Firmware Update; special boot mode where iOS has not booted and the system can be installed over the Lightning connection Device Firmware Update; special boot mode where iOS has not booted and the system can be installed over the Lightning connection
94 Differential Privacy Differential Privacy crowdsourcing without user tracking; privacy budget for management of anonymity set; used for keyboard words, emoji, Spotlight searches, Parsec deep links, HealthKit usage, Safari telemetry; /System/Library/DifferentialPrivacy; stored in /var/db/DifferentialPrivacy; launchd service: com.apple.dprivacyd crowdsourcing without user tracking; privacy budget for management of anonymity set; used for keyboard words, emoji, Spotlight searches, Parsec deep links, HealthKit usage, Safari telemetry; /System/Library/DifferentialPrivacy; stored in /var/db/DifferentialPrivacy; launchd service: com.apple.dprivacyd
95 DND DND Do Not Disturb Do Not Disturb
Domain Association signed files in .well-known directory on websites; equivalent to Entitlements for websites
96 DSID DSID Destination Signaling Identifier, unique ID for IDS login on a specific device Destination Signaling Identifier, unique ID for IDS login on a specific device
97 DTrace DTrace system-wide tracing infrastructure, command line tools: dtrace, *.d, dappprof, dapptrace, dtruss, errinfo, execsnoop, fddist, fs_usage, imptrace, iopattern, iopending, iosnoop, iotop, lastwords, latency, opensnoop, plockstat, rwsnoop, sampleproc, sc_usage, topsyscall, topsysproc system-wide tracing infrastructure, command line tools: dtrace, *.d, dappprof, dapptrace, dtruss, errinfo, execsnoop, fddist, fs_usage, imptrace, iopattern, iopending, iosnoop, iotop, lastwords, latency, opensnoop, plockstat, rwsnoop, sampleproc, sc_usage, topsyscall, topsysproc
98 Duet Duet telemetry collection engine for system and user events, forecasting by machine learning, backend for DAS, Proactive, Relevance, Screen Time, thermal and battery management; /System/Library/DuetKnowledgeBase; CoreDuet.framework, CoreKnowledge.framework, CorePrediction.framework; launchd services: com.apple.coreduetd, com.apple.knowledge-agent telemetry collection engine for system and user events, forecasting by machine learning, backend for DAS, Proactive, Relevance, Screen Time, thermal and battery management; /System/Library/DuetKnowledgeBase; CoreDuet.framework, CoreKnowledge.framework, CorePrediction.framework; launchd services: com.apple.coreduetd, com.apple.knowledge-agent
99 Dyld Shared Cache Dyld Shared Cache dynamic linker cache, stores all system libraries in prelinked form, original library files are removed; /System/Library/dyld; command line tool: update_dyld_shared_cache dynamic linker cache, stores all system libraries in prelinked form, original library files are removed; /System/Library/dyld; command line tool: update_dyld_shared_cache
100 EAS EAS Exchange Active Sync; network protocol for accessing Microsoft Exchange servers Exchange Active Sync; network protocol for accessing Microsoft Exchange servers
101 EDR Extended Dynamic Range; rendering with transfer function extending beyond sRGB white; implemented natively on XDR displays and by backlight modulation on others; HDRProcessing.framework
102 Energy Impact Energy Impact unitless metric for per-application energy consumption, machine-specific coefficients; /usr/share/pmenergy, /usr/share/kpep; launchd services: com.apple.sysmond, com.apple.thermald; command line tool: powermetrics unitless metric for per-application energy consumption, machine-specific coefficients; /usr/share/pmenergy, /usr/share/kpep; launchd services: com.apple.sysmond, com.apple.thermald; command line tool: powermetrics
103 Engram Engram Messages in iCloud; devices store received iMessages in CloudKit; Engram.framework Messages in iCloud; devices store received iMessages in CloudKit; Engram.framework
104 Entitlements Entitlements capability-like attributes bound to executables by code signing; some entitlements like App Sandbox restrict ambient authority, some gradually relieve those restrictions (using Seatbelt), some services or system calls grant privilege based on caller entitlements capability-like attributes bound to executables by code signing; some entitlements like App Sandbox restrict ambient authority, some gradually relieve those restrictions (using Seatbelt), some services or system calls grant privilege based on caller entitlements
111 FDR FDR Factory Data/Device Reset? ensures that no downgrades are performed? servers: skl.apple.com, gg.apple.com; /System/Library/FDR Factory Data/Device Reset? ensures that no downgrades are performed? servers: skl.apple.com, gg.apple.com; /System/Library/FDR
112 Feldspar Feldspar Apple News; Silex.framework Apple News; Silex.framework
113 FiDES FiDES Fi? Distributed Evaluation Service? aggregates Differential Privacy data for unlinkability? maybe private federated learning? used for emoji, Suggestions, Dictation; /System/Library/DistributedEvaluation; DistributedEvaluation.framework; server: fides-pol.apple.com Fi? Distributed Evaluation Service? aggregates Differential Privacy data for unlinkability? maybe private federated learning? used for emoji, Suggestions, Dictation; /System/Library/DistributedEvaluation; DistributedEvaluation.framework; server: fides-pol.apple.com
114 Find My … File Provider location sharing by explicitly querying devices remotely or collateral beacon detection using Search Party; launchd service: com.apple.icloud.fmfd (find my friends) infrastructure and extension system for syncing with cloud providers; placeholder files based on SF_DATALESS attribute in APFS; FileProvider.framework; locally stored in ~/Library/CloudStorage; command line tool: fileproviderctl
115 Find My … location sharing by explicitly querying devices remotely or collateral beacon detection using Search Party; FMCore.framework, FMF.framework; launchd service: com.apple.icloud.fmfd (find my friends)
116 Firmlink Firmlink bi-directional non-symbolic link between the read-only system volume and the data volume, additional symlinks and mountpoints in the root directory are virtually allocated; /usr/share/firmlinks, /etc/synthetic.conf bi-directional non-symbolic link between the read-only system volume and the data volume, additional symlinks and mountpoints in the root directory are virtually allocated; /usr/share/firmlinks, /etc/synthetic.conf
117 Focus restriction modes for notification presentation; Focus.framework, DoNotDisturb.framework; local settings in ~/Library/DoNotDisturb
118 FollowUp FollowUp user interaction for Secure Backup wrapping with device passcode, CoreFollowUp.framework; launchd service: com.apple.followupd user interaction for Secure Backup wrapping with device passcode, CoreFollowUp.framework; launchd service: com.apple.followupd
119 FoundationDB FoundationDB fundamental iCloud storage database, marketed as CloudKit, separated into containers; records, blobs, and large asset storage with MMCS, server-side continuous queries can trigger push notifications, user management by IDS, sharing between users; PCS keys used for hierarchical zone, record, and asset encryption; CloudKitDaemon.framework; launchd service: com.apple.cloudd; locally stored in ~/Library/Caches/CloudKit, ~/Library/Containers/*/Data/CloudKit fundamental iCloud storage database, marketed as CloudKit, separated into containers; records, blobs, and large asset storage with MMCS, server-side continuous queries can trigger push notifications, user management by IDS, sharing between users; PCS keys used for hierarchical zone, record, and asset encryption; CloudKitDaemon.framework; launchd service: com.apple.cloudd; locally stored in ~/Library/Caches/CloudKit, ~/Library/Containers/*/Data/CloudKit; command line tool: cktool
120 FPR FPR Fast Permission Restrictions; Apple CPU registers to downgrade (old APRRs do bitmasking) or remap (SPRRs since M1) actual permissions of memory pages per thread; used for JIT protection and by AMFI to freeze user code after checking Fast Permission Restrictions; Apple CPU registers to downgrade (old APRRs do bitmasking) or remap (SPRRs since M1) actual permissions of memory pages (the CTRR region) per thread; used for JIT protection and by AMFI to freeze user code after checking
121 FUD FUD Firmware Update Daemon; /var/db/fud; launchd service: com.apple.MobileAccessoryUpdater Firmware Update Daemon; /var/db/fud; launchd service: com.apple.accessoryupdaterd
122 GID GID group ID key, shared across all devices of the same SoC generation, derived keys are used to prove device type over the network, only accessible by SEP group ID key, shared across all devices of the same SoC generation, derived keys are used to prove device type over the network, only accessible by SEP
123 Gizmo Gizmo Apple Watch; watch settings managed by Companion; /Applications/Bridge.app, /System/Library/BridgeManifests Apple Watch; watch settings managed by Companion; /Applications/Bridge.app, /System/Library/BridgeManifests
124 Group Activities SharePlay; sharing of media content and programmatic state over FaceTime calls; GroupActivities.framework, CopresenceCore.framework; launchd service: com.apple.telephonyutilities.callservicesd
125 GSS GSS Generic Security Service; part of Kerberos; GSS.framework; launchd service: com.apple.gssd (invoked by kernel through host special port 19); command line tool: gsstool Generic Security Service; part of Kerberos; GSS.framework; launchd service: com.apple.gssd (invoked by kernel through host special port 19); command line tool: gsstool
126 GXF GXF Guarded Execution Feature/Fault, additional exception levels on Apple Silicon, lateral to the usual exception levels; page tables remain the same, but interpretation of permission bits changes by way of FPR, genter and gexit instructions; implements lightweight intra-address-space protection contexts Guarded Execution Feature/Fault, additional exception levels on Apple Silicon, lateral to the usual exception levels; page tables remain the same, but interpretation of permission bits changes by way of FPR, genter and gexit instructions; implements lightweight intra-address-space protection contexts
127 HAP HAP Home Automation Protocol; CoreHAP.framework Home Automation Protocol; CoreHAP.framework
128 HDA HDA High Definition Audio; HDAInterface.framework High Definition Audio; HDAInterface.framework
129 HDI HDI Hard Disk Image; command line tool: hdiutil Hard Disk Image; command line tool: hdiutil
HDR High Dynamic Range; video with wide-range transfer function; HDRProcessing.framework
130 HeadBoard HeadBoard derivative of SpringBoard for tvOS home screen; /Applications/HeadBoard.app, /Applications/PineBoard.app derivative of SpringBoard for tvOS home screen; /Applications/HeadBoard.app, /Applications/PineBoard.app
131 HLS HLS HTTP Live Streaming HTTP Live Streaming
132 HSA HSA Hardware Security Architecture; version 1 used for two-step verification, SOS with iCSC; version 2 for two-factor authentication, CKKS and Secure Backup with iCDP Hardware Security Architecture; version 1 used for two-step verification, SOS with iCSC; version 2 for two-factor authentication, CKKS and Secure Backup with iCDP
139 iCSC iCSC iCloud Security Code, credential wrapping for Secure Backup, previously used a separate code, with HSA2/iCDP uses device passcodes iCloud Security Code, credential wrapping for Secure Backup, previously used a separate code, with HSA2/iCDP uses device passcodes
140 IDAM IDAM Inter-Device Audio and MIDI; audio connection between devices Inter-Device Audio and MIDI; audio connection between devices
141 IDS IDS Identity Service, also IDMS, Apple ID identity management for all of Apple’s online services; APNS topics for signaling and messaging, see also Alloy, ESS, FaceTime, iMessage; authentication to services with Kerberos Identity Service, also IDMS, Apple ID identity management for all of Apple’s online services; APNS topics for signaling and messaging, see also Alloy, ESS, FaceTime, iMessage; authentication to services with Kerberos
142 IDV Identity Verification? Touch ID and Face ID; /System/Library/AccessibilityBundles/CoreIDVUI.axbundle
143 IM IM Instant Messaging; usually means iMessage and FaceTime Instant Messaging; usually means iMessage and FaceTime
144 IMG4 IMG4 boot files (Mach-O binaries or configuration data) with ASN.1 signature, contains RemotePolicy certificate constraints to restrict Boot Policy evaluation boot files (Mach-O binaries or configuration data) with ASN.1 signature, contains RemotePolicy certificate constraints to restrict Boot Policy evaluation
145 Intent Intent use-case-driven interaction with 3rd-party apps from a host app; used for Siri, Maps, Widgets (configuration); extension points: com.apple.intents-service, com.apple.intents-ui-service use-case-driven interaction with 3rd-party apps from a host app; used for Siri, Maps, Widgets (configuration); extension points: com.apple.intents-service, com.apple.intents-ui-service
146 IOKit IOKit device driver subsystem for in-kernel and DriverKit drivers, command line tool: ioreg device driver subsystem for in-kernel and DriverKit drivers, command line tool: ioreg
147 Ironwood Ironwood dictation, customized on server with selected user data (contacts, app names, music titles, HomeKit names, Siri Shortcut phrases), not tied to Apple ID; server: guzzoni.apple.com dictation, customized on server with selected user data (contacts, app names, music titles, HomeKit names, Siri Shortcut phrases), not tied to Apple ID; SpeechRecognitionCore.framework; server: guzzoni.apple.com
148 ISP ISP Image Signal Processor; camera imaging circuit in iPhones Image Signal Processor; camera imaging circuit in iPhones
149 ITML ITML iTunes Markup Language; metdata tagging for media services; ITMLKit.framework iTunes Markup Language; metdata tagging for media services; ITMLKit.framework
150 ITP ITP Intelligent Tracking Prevention, cross-site tracking defenses in Safari, statistics and user interaction classify sites, cookies are partitioned and access is restricted Intelligent Tracking Prevention, cross-site tracking defenses in Safari, statistics and user interaction classify sites, cookies are partitioned and access is restricted
152 Jellyfish Jellyfish Animoji Animoji
153 Jetsam Jetsam reclaiming of purgeable memory and termination of apps during memory pressure reclaiming of purgeable memory and termination of apps during memory pressure
154 JSC JSC JavaScript Core; JavaScriptCore.framework; command line tool: jsc JavaScript Core; JavaScriptCore.framework; command line tool: jsc
155 Kalamata codename for the transition from x86 to ARM-based Apple Silicon
156 Kerberos Kerberos single-sign-on mechanism; Heimdal.framework; command line tools: kinit, ktutil single-sign-on mechanism; Heimdal.framework; command line tools: kinit, ktutil
157 Kext Kext kernel extension mechanism, loaded at boot time as part of a Kext Collection; /Library/Extensions, /Library/StagedExtensions (for user approval), /System/Library/Extensions; command line tool: kextutil (manages deprecated runtime loading) kernel extension mechanism, loaded at boot time as part of a Kext Collection; /Library/Extensions, /Library/StagedExtensions (for user approval), /System/Library/Extensions; command line tool: kextutil (manages deprecated runtime loading)
158 Kext Collection Kext Collection prelinked sets of kernel extensions; /System/Library/KernelCollections (for boot and system kexts), /Library/KernelCollections (for auxiliary third-party kexts); the latter is only loaded at a lower-security Boot Policy; launchd service: com.apple.kernelmanagerd (invoked by kernel through host special port 15); command line tool: kmutil prelinked sets of kernel extensions; /System/Library/KernelCollections (for boot and system kexts), /Library/KernelCollections (for auxiliary third-party kexts); the latter is only loaded at a lower-security Boot Policy; launchd service: com.apple.kernelmanagerd (invoked by kernel through host special port 15); command line tool: kmutil
165 LSM LSM Latent Semantic Mapping, text analysis, used for spam filtering, command line tool: lsm Latent Semantic Mapping, text analysis, used for spam filtering, command line tool: lsm
166 Mac Buddy Mac Buddy historic name for Setup Assistant historic name for Setup Assistant
167 MAC Policy MAC Policy Mandatory Access Control subsystem in XNU, based on TrustedBSD, implements policy hooks for restricted kernel operations; current policies: AMFI, Seatbelt, Quarantine, CSR Mandatory Access Control subsystem in XNU, based on TrustedBSD, implements policy hooks for restricted kernel operations; current policies: AMFI, Seatbelt, Quarantine, CSR
168 Machine Learning Machine Learning Vision.framework, Espresso.framework, Futhark.framework, PhotoAnalysis.framework Vision.framework, Espresso.framework, Futhark.framework, PhotoAnalysis.framework; used for Live Text and Visual Lookup; launchd service: com.apple.mediaanalysisd
169 Madrid Madrid iMessage; /System/Library/Messages iMessage; /System/Library/Messages
170 Manatee Manatee PCS key for some CloudKit containers are synced via CKKS, so data is unreadable to Apple (credential management codenames: Plesio, Stingray, Cuttlefish) PCS key for some CloudKit containers are synced via CKKS, so data is unreadable to Apple (credential management codenames: Plesio, Stingray, Cuttlefish)
171 Mangrove Mangrove transfering UI tiles over XPC; Mangrove.framework, IOSurface.framework transfering UI tiles over XPC; Mangrove.framework, IOSurface.framework
187 MRT MRT Malware Removal Tool; /Library/Apple/System/Library/CoreServices/MRT.app Malware Removal Tool; /Library/Apple/System/Library/CoreServices/MRT.app
188 Multipeer Connectivity Multipeer Connectivity ad-hoc networking; Bonjour for discovery; WiFi, AWDL, Bluetooth, or Ethernet as transport; optional encryption and certificate-based authentication; MultipeerConnectivity.framework ad-hoc networking; Bonjour for discovery; WiFi, AWDL, Bluetooth, or Ethernet as transport; optional encryption and certificate-based authentication; MultipeerConnectivity.framework
189 Nano Nano prefix for watchOS prefix for watchOS
190 Neural Engine Nearby Interaction hardware accelerator for neural network operations; ANECompiler.framework, ANEServices.framework; launchd service: com.apple.aned proximity-based interaction between devices; proximity measured using ultra wideband or derived from other technologies; used for Universal Control; NearbyInteraction.framework, Proximity.framework; launchd service: com.apple.nearbyd
191 Newton Newton fall detection on watchOS fall detection on watchOS
192 NLP NLP Natural Language Processing; NLP.framework; related to mecabra libraries, a linguistic engine for Chinese and Japanese; /usr/share/mecabra, /usr/share/tokenizer Natural Language Processing; NLP.framework; related to mecabra libraries, a linguistic engine for Chinese and Japanese; /usr/share/mecabra, /usr/share/tokenizer
193 Notarization Notarization app security scan by Apple; cryptographic proof stapled to code signature, tested at launch by System Policy; for non-notarized apps sends code hash to Apple; command line tools: altool, stapler app security scan by Apple; cryptographic proof stapled to code signature, tested at launch by System Policy; for non-notarized apps sends code hash to Apple; command line tools: notarytool, altool, stapler
194 Noticeboard Noticeboard User Notifications for Software Update and App Store, Noticeboard.framework; launchd services: com.apple.noticeboard.state (nbstated), com.apple.noticeboard.agent (nbagent) User Notifications for Software Update and App Store, Noticeboard.framework; launchd services: com.apple.noticeboard.state (nbstated), com.apple.noticeboard.agent (nbagent)
195 Notifications Notifications system notification bus, unrelated to the local/remote push notifications; launchd service: com.apple.notifyd, com.apple.kuncd (invoked by kernel through host special port 10); command line tool: notifyutil; complemented by framework-level notification system (CFNotification, NSNotification); launchd services: com.apple.distnoted.xpc.daemon, com.apple.distnoted.xpc.agent system notification bus, unrelated to the local/remote push notifications; launchd service: com.apple.notifyd, com.apple.kuncd (invoked by kernel through host special port 10); command line tool: notifyutil; complemented by framework-level notification system (CFNotification, NSNotification); launchd services: com.apple.distnoted.xpc.daemon, com.apple.distnoted.xpc.agent
196 NSP NSP Network Service Proxy; per-app VPN and proxy settings; launchd service: com.apple.networkserviceproxy Network Service Proxy; per-app VPN and proxy settings, implements Private Relay; launchd service: com.apple.networkserviceproxy
197 OAH OAH Rosetta Rosetta; /usr/libexec/rosetta
198 ODR ODR On-Demand Resources; loaded from App Store; launchd service: com.apple.appstored On-Demand Resources; loaded from App Store; launchd service: com.apple.appstored
199 Onboarding Onboarding data protection splash screen shown by service-connected apps; /System/Library/OnBoardingBundles; OnBoardingKit.framework data protection splash screen shown by service-connected apps; /System/Library/OnBoardingBundles; OnBoardingKit.framework
200 Open Directory Open Directory directory service for user, group, and machine management; plugin-based to use different backend stores (LDAP, Active Directory), local accounts in /private/var/db/dslocal; launchd service: com.apple.opendirectoryd; command line tools: dscacheutil, dscl, dsconfigad, dsconfigldap, dseditgroup, dsenableroot, dserr, dsexport, dsimport, dsmemberutil, odutil directory service for user, group, and machine management; plugin-based to use different backend stores (LDAP, Active Directory), local accounts in /private/var/db/dslocal; launchd service: com.apple.opendirectoryd; command line tools: dscacheutil, dscl, dsconfigad, dsconfigldap, dseditgroup, dsenableroot, dserr, dsexport, dsimport, dsmemberutil, odutil
209 PCS PCS Protected Cloud Storage; key management for separate iCloud storage compartments (PCS calls them views), each can contain FoundationDB plus bulk data stored by MMCS; see also iCDP, CKKS, Manatee; ProtectedCloudStorage.framework; /System/Library/Preferences/ProtectedCloudStorage; command line tool: pcsstatus Protected Cloud Storage; key management for separate iCloud storage compartments (PCS calls them views), each can contain FoundationDB plus bulk data stored by MMCS; see also iCDP, CKKS, Manatee; ProtectedCloudStorage.framework; /System/Library/Preferences/ProtectedCloudStorage; command line tool: pcsstatus
210 PCSC PCSC Personal Computer Smart Card; PCSC.framework, uses CTK Personal Computer Smart Card; PCSC.framework, uses CTK
211 PDE PDE Print Dialog Extension; old name, not a proper Extension Print Dialog Extension; old name, not a proper Extension
212 Pegasus Pegasus picture-in-picture video playback; Pegasus.framework (iOS), PIP.framework (macOS) meaning 1: picture-in-picture video playback; Pegasus.framework (iOS), PIP.framework (macOS); meaning 2: online search query engine for visual lookup; PegasusKit.framework
213 Pepper Pepper UI elements for Watch home screen and Chat, like Quickboard (canned replies), Animoji; PepperUICore.framework UI elements for Watch home screen and Chat, like Quickboard (canned replies), Animoji; PepperUICore.framework
214 Persona Persona separation of sub-user-identities, like when using a private and managed Apple account; PersonaKit.framework; ~/Library/Personas; /System/Library/UserManagement separation of sub-user-identities, like when using a private and managed Apple account; PersonaKit.framework; ~/Library/Personas; /System/Library/UserManagement; command line tool: umtool
215 PHASE Physical Audio Spatialization Engine; 3D sound rendering engine; Apple devices map audio sources (even mono and stereo) to virtual speakers in a 3D sound stage, which is simulated by the physical speakers via a head-related transfer function; PHASE.framework
216 Piano Mover Piano Mover Mail Drop; bulk mail attachments transfered over PCS; not to be confused with storage for iMessage attachments, which uses a CloudKit container Mail Drop; bulk mail attachments transfered over PCS; not to be confused with storage for iMessage attachments, which uses a CloudKit container
217 Plugin Plugin Extensions, XPC services bundled with apps or frameworks, discovery by Launch Services; launchd service: com.apple.pluginkit.pkd; command line tool: pluginkit Extensions, XPC services bundled with apps or frameworks, discovery by Launch Services; launchd service: com.apple.pluginkit.pkd; command line tool: pluginkit
218 PMP PMP Port Mapping Protocol; Apple alternative to UPnP, Bonjour service: _acp-sync._tcp Port Mapping Protocol; Apple alternative to UPnP, Bonjour service: _acp-sync._tcp
219 PowerUI PowerUI battery management like smart charge and power save, learns from Duet and other data; PowerUI.framework; /var/db/PowerUI; launchd service: com.apple.PowerUIAgent battery management like smart charge and power save, learns from Duet and other data; PowerUI.framework; /var/db/PowerUI; launchd service: com.apple.PowerUIAgent
220 Preferences Preferences storage for user-configurable settings; launchd services: com.apple.cfprefsd.xpc.daemon, com.apple.cfprefsd.xpc.agent; stored in Library/Preferences, command line tool: defaults; interaction with Synced Defaults per /System/Library/DefaultsConfigurations storage for user-configurable settings; launchd services: com.apple.cfprefsd.xpc.daemon, com.apple.cfprefsd.xpc.agent; stored in Library/Preferences, command line tool: defaults; interaction with Synced Defaults per /System/Library/DefaultsConfigurations
221 Private Relay two-hop onion routing with one entry and one exit node; Apple operates entry, third-party services operate exit nodes; QUIC for payload, ODoH for DNS, approximate IP geolocation via Waldo; authentication via Attestation, propagated to proxys using RSA blind signatures
222 Proactive Proactive umbrella term for suggestions and completions based on Duet forecasting and User Activity context, also marketed as Siri features; PersonalizationPortrait.framework umbrella term for suggestions and completions based on Duet forecasting and User Activity context, also marketed as Siri features; PersonalizationPortrait.framework
223 QoS Classes QoS Classes inheritable property for Activities; semantic priorities, influences scheduling parameters; initially set at user-level, priority inheritance within GCD queues and across XPC in kernel? inheritable property for Activities; semantic priorities, influences scheduling parameters; initially set at user-level, priority inheritance within GCD queues and across XPC in kernel?
224 Quagga Quagga framework for QR and barcode decoding; Quagga.framework framework for QR and barcode decoding; Quagga.framework
225 Quick Action extension type for quick interaction with foreign content within a host app; extension points: com.apple.services, com.apple.ui-services
226 Quick Look Quick Look file preview and thumbnail generation; comand line tool: qlmanage file preview and thumbnail generation; comand line tool: qlmanage
227 RAOP RAOP Remote Audio Output Protocol, AirPlay; Bonjour service: _raop._tcp Remote Audio Output Protocol, AirPlay; Bonjour service: _raop._tcp
228 Rapport Rapport device pairing by proximity using Alloy, with PIN entry, or using iCloud; once paired, devices can access services; used for HomeKit, HomePod, AirPlay, Home Sharing, SideCar; Rapport.framework; launchd service: com.apple.rapportd; Bonjour service: _companion-link._tcp device pairing by proximity using Alloy, with PIN entry, or using iCloud; once paired, devices can access services; used for HomeKit, HomePod, AirPlay, Home Sharing, SideCar; Rapport.framework; launchd service: com.apple.rapportd; Bonjour service: _companion-link._tcp
229 Recents Recents recently used items (not files) in various applications, synced with Synced Defaults; CoreRecents.framework, /System/Library/Recents; launchd service: com.apple.recentsd recently used items (not files) in various applications, synced with Synced Defaults; CoreRecents.framework, /System/Library/Recents; launchd service: com.apple.recentsd
230 Relevance Engine Relevance Engine backend for Siri suggestions (for example of Siri Shortcuts), Widget smart stacks (also Siri watch face); consumes Duet knowledge and app-provided timelines with relevance hints; /System/Library/RelevanceEngine; launchd service: com.apple.relevanced backend for Siri suggestions (for example of Siri Shortcuts), Widget smart stacks (also Siri watch face); consumes Duet knowledge and app-provided timelines with relevance hints; /System/Library/RelevanceEngine; launchd service: com.apple.relevanced
231 Remote Pairing Mobile Device pairing without wired connection; RemotePairingDevice.framework; Bonjour services: _remotepairing._tcp, _remotepairing-manual-pairing._tcp
232 RemoteXPC RemoteXPC connection to a non-SoC-integrated SEP like Bridge; uses HTTP/2 over a network interface, Bridge connected over USB, secured using Attestation; RemoteServiceDiscovery.framework, TrustedAccessory.framework; launchd service: com.apple.remoted, com.apple.tracd; command line tool: remotectl connection to a non-SoC-integrated SEP like Bridge; uses HTTP/2 over a network interface, Bridge connected over USB, secured using Attestation; RemoteServiceDiscovery.framework, TrustedAccessory.framework; launchd service: com.apple.remoted, com.apple.tracd; command line tool: remotectl
233 Revisions Revisions document autosave and auto-versioning; stored in .DocumentRevisions-V100; GenerationalStorage.framework; launchd service: com.apple.revisiond document autosave and auto-versioning; stored in .DocumentRevisions-V100; GenerationalStorage.framework; launchd service: com.apple.revisiond
234 Routine Routine frequently visited locations on iOS, interacts with Duet; launchd service: com.apple.routined frequently visited locations on iOS, interacts with Duet; launchd service: com.apple.routined
235 RTC RTC Real-time Telemetry and Crash reporting; RTCReporting.framework; launchd service: com.apple.rtcreportingd Real-time Telemetry and Crash reporting; RTCReporting.framework; launchd service: com.apple.rtcreportingd
236 RunningBoard RTKit runtime management of apps, paradigm: app as service process invoked by system, check-in by frameworks, handles process assertions (frontmost app, see App Nap), memory pressure (see Jetsam) and compute resources (GPU), replacement for TAL?; launchd service: com.apple.runningboardd; /System/Library/RunningBoard operating system used on Apple Silicon for firmware of co-processors
237 RunningBoard runtime management of apps, paradigm: app as service process invoked by system, check-in by frameworks, handles process assertions (frontmost app, see App Nap), memory pressure (see Jetsam) and compute resources (GPU), replacement for TAL?; launchd service: com.apple.runningboardd; /System/Library/LifecyclePolicy, /System/Library/RunningBoard
238 SBPL SBPL Sandbox Profile Language; a TinyScheme-based embedded DSL for Seatbelt profiles Sandbox Profile Language; a TinyScheme-based embedded DSL for Seatbelt profiles
239 SCIP SCIP System Coprocessor Integrity Protection; like KIP, but for SEP, ISP, Motion coprocessor System Coprocessor Integrity Protection; like KIP, but for SEP, ISP, Motion coprocessor
240 Screen Reader Screen Reader VoiceOver and Braille; /System/Library/ScreenReader; ScreenReader.framework VoiceOver and Braille; /System/Library/ScreenReader; ScreenReader.framework
241 Screen Time Screen Time digital wellbeing and parental controls system, uses Device Management as policy engine, self-enforced within the application by frameworks; launchd services: com.apple.ScreenTimeAgent, com.apple.dmd digital wellbeing and parental controls system, uses Device Management as policy engine, self-enforced within the application by frameworks; DeviceActivity.framework, ManagedSettings.framework, FamilyControls.framework; launchd services: com.apple.ScreenTimeAgent, com.apple.dmd
242 SDB SDB SQL Database; CoreSDB.framework, used by iCloud communication SQL Database; CoreSDB.framework, used by iCloud communication
243 Search Party Search Party portion of Find My service for offline devices; devices emit public part of rotating key pair via Bluetooth LE, other devices encrypt current location with this key and send to Apple, private key shared over CloudKit portion of Find My service for offline devices; devices emit public part of rotating key pair via Bluetooth LE, other devices encrypt current location with this key and send to Apple, private key shared over CloudKit
244 Seatbelt Seatbelt process sandbox by filtering system calls; profiles written in SBPL; /System/Library/Sandbox/Profiles, /usr/share/sandbox; default file access policy asks for TCC confirmation before access to folders with user data (like Documents) is allowed; command line tool: sandbox-exec; launchd service: com.apple.sandboxd (invoked by kernel through host special port 14 for logging) process sandbox by filtering system calls; profiles written in SBPL; /System/Library/Sandbox/Profiles, /usr/share/sandbox; default file access policy asks for TCC confirmation before access to folders with user data (like Documents) is allowed; command line tool: sandbox-exec; launchd service: com.apple.sandboxd (invoked by kernel through host special port 14 for logging)
252 Signpost Signpost telemetry API to report points of interest in code; launchd service: com.apple.signpost.signpost_reporter telemetry API to report points of interest in code; launchd service: com.apple.signpost.signpost_reporter
253 Simulator Simulator running an iOS/tvOS/watchOS personality on macOS, uses sandboxing and a separate Mach bootstrap namespace for container-like isolation, command line tool: simctl running an iOS/tvOS/watchOS personality on macOS, uses sandboxing and a separate Mach bootstrap namespace for container-like isolation, command line tool: simctl
254 SIP SIP System Integrity Protection or rootless mode; collection of kernel-level security restrictions regarding file system modification, unsigned Kexts, Taskport access, NVRAM access, DTrace; /System/Library/Sandbox/rootless.conf; command line tool: csrutil, rootless-init System Integrity Protection or rootless mode; collection of kernel-level security restrictions regarding file system modification, unsigned Kexts, Taskport access, NVRAM access, DTrace; /System/Library/Sandbox/rootless.conf; command line tool: csrutil, rootless-init
255 Site Association signed files in .well-known directory on websites; equivalent to Entitlements for websites, associates domains with app IDs for Universal Links; command line tool: swcutil
256 SKP SKP Sealed Key Protection; measurement of system state (boot chain IMG4 manifests, BPR, Boot Policy data, UID key, user passcode) to derive Keybag keys Sealed Key Protection; measurement of system state (boot chain IMG4 manifests, BPR, Boot Policy data, UID key, user passcode) to derive Keybag keys
257 SKS SKS Secure Key Store; handling of keybag keys within the SEP Secure Key Store; handling of keybag keys within the SEP
258 SkyLight SkyLight WindowServer; SkyLight.framework WindowServer; SkyLight.framework
259 Skywalk Skywalk network subsystem in XNU, links together actual technologies (Bluetooth, WiFi, Thunderbolt) and interfaces/tunnels; transacts in nexus (for conduits) and agent (for endpoints) objects; DriverKit network drivers use Skywalk; command line tool: skywalkctl network subsystem in XNU, links together actual technologies (Bluetooth, WiFi, Thunderbolt) and interfaces/tunnels; transacts in nexus (for conduits) and agent (for endpoints) objects; DriverKit network drivers use Skywalk; command line tool: skywalkctl
260 SLC System-Level Cache, architectural feature of Apple Silicon; cache located within SoC at controllers for external DRAM, serves all compute units and stages transfers between them
261 Social Gaming Social Gaming Game Center; multiplayer gaming services on top of CloudKit, shared storage and low-latency multicast for multiplayer sessions; launchd service: com.apple.gamed Game Center; multiplayer gaming services on top of CloudKit, shared storage and low-latency multicast for multiplayer sessions; launchd service: com.apple.gamed
262 Sock Puppet Sock Puppet Watch interaction that requires Companion device Watch interaction that requires Companion device
263 SOS SOS Secure Object Sync; syncing backend for iCloud Keychain, not to be confused with the emergency call feature; transferred items previously staged in Synced Defaults, now uses CKKS; launchd services: com.apple.secd (access to local keychain), com.apple.security.cloudkeychainproxy3 (connects to Synced Defaults), com.apple.security.keychain-circle-notification Secure Object Sync; syncing backend for iCloud Keychain, not to be confused with the emergency call feature; transferred items previously staged in Synced Defaults, for two-factor accounts in CKKS; launchd services: com.apple.secd (access to local keychain), com.apple.security.cloudkeychainproxy3 (connects to Synced Defaults), com.apple.security.keychain-circle-notification
264 SPI SPI System Private Interface; /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks System Private Interface; /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks
265 SpringBoard SpringBoard iOS home screen; like Dock (Launchpad, Mission Control, desktop picture), Control Center, SystemUIServer (menu extras icons), loginwindow (lock screen), and WindowServer (compositor) on macOS; /System/Library/CoreServices/SpringBoard.app, /Applications/PreBoard.app, BaseBoard.framework, FrontBoard.framework, SplashBoard.framework; launchd service: com.apple.backboardd (compositor) iOS home screen; like Dock (Launchpad, Mission Control, desktop picture), Control Center, SystemUIServer (menu extras icons), loginwindow (lock screen), and WindowServer (compositor) on macOS; /System/Library/CoreServices/SpringBoard.app, /Applications/PreBoard.app, BaseBoard.framework, FrontBoard.framework, SplashBoard.framework; launchd service: com.apple.backboardd (compositor)
266 SPRR SPRR Shadow Permission Remap Register? feature of Apple Silicon to dynamically reintepret page permissions Shadow Permission Remap Register? feature of Apple Silicon to dynamically reintepret page permissions
271 Stockholm Stockholm Secure Element in Apple SoCs, a processor running crypto protocols on keys it protects; used for Apple Pay and Car Key; related codenames: Icefall, Warsaw Secure Element in Apple SoCs, a processor running crypto protocols on keys it protects; used for Apple Pay and Car Key; related codenames: Icefall, Warsaw
272 Storage Management Storage Management freeing up disk space by managing bulky items; UI in System Information.app; StorageManagement.framework; launchd service: com.apple.diskspaced; extension point: com.apple.storagemanagement; extends Cache Delete service freeing up disk space by managing bulky items; UI in System Information.app; StorageManagement.framework; launchd service: com.apple.diskspaced; extension point: com.apple.storagemanagement; extends Cache Delete service
273 Suggestions Suggestions semantic analysis of mails and websites to suggest contacts, calendar events and the like; launchd services: com.apple.suggestd, com.apple.reversetemplated; custom JavaScript parsers in /System/Library/AssetsV2/com_apple_MobileAsset_CoreSuggestions semantic analysis of mails and websites to suggest contacts, calendar events and the like; launchd services: com.apple.suggestd, com.apple.reversetemplated; custom JavaScript parsers in /System/Library/AssetsV2/com_apple_MobileAsset_CoreSuggestions
274 Symbols Symbols debug symbols for backtraces; CoreSymbolication.framework; launchd services: com.apple.coresymbolicationd; command line tools: symbols, symbolscache debug symbols for backtraces; CoreSymbolication.framework; launchd services: com.apple.coresymbolicationd; command line tools: atos, symbols, symbolscache
275 Symptoms Symptoms network diagnostics; Symptoms.framework; /var/networkd/db/netusage.sqlite; launchd service: com.apple.symptomsd (invoked by kernel through host special port 27) network diagnostics; Symptoms.framework; /var/networkd/db/netusage.sqlite; launchd service: com.apple.symptomsd (invoked by kernel through host special port 27)
276 Synced Defaults Synced Defaults simple key-value store for applications, no user control over data; can use iCloud key-value backend (old) or Manatee container (new, marked as com.apple.kvs) as storage; launchd service: com.apple.syncdefaultsd; locally stored in ~/Library/SyncedPreferences simple key-value store for applications, no user control over data; can use iCloud key-value backend (old) or Manatee container (new, marked as com.apple.kvs) as storage; launchd service: com.apple.syncdefaultsd; locally stored in ~/Library/SyncedPreferences
277 System Configuration System Configuration SystemConfiguration.framework; launchd service: com.apple.configd; command line tool: scutil SystemConfiguration.framework; launchd service: com.apple.configd; command line tool: scutil
283 Time Machine Time Machine automatic backup service, command line tools: tmdiagnose, tmutil automatic backup service, command line tools: tmdiagnose, tmutil
284 Tin Can Tin Can Walkie Talkie on watchOS Walkie Talkie on watchOS
285 Tones Tones ringtones; ToneLibrary.framework ringtones; ToneLibrary.framework
Tourist backend for user-visible tips and hints; launchd service: com.apple.touristd
286 Translocation Translocation app binary copied on launch to dedicated location; initiated by Launch Services for security (prevents path traversal for apps quarantined by System Policy) or path normalization (iOS apps do not expect to be moved, but can be moved on macOS) app binary copied on launch to dedicated location; initiated by Launch Services for security (prevents path traversal for apps quarantined by System Policy) or path normalization (iOS apps do not expect to be moved, but can be moved on macOS)
287 Transparency Transparency key transparency for ESS keys? Transparency.framework; launchd service: com.apple.transparencyd; server: init-kt.apple.com key transparency for ESS keys? Transparency.framework; launchd service: com.apple.transparencyd; server: init-kt.apple.com
288 TSS Tatsu Signing Server; online verification for firmware signatures; server: gs.apple.com
289 TTS TTS Text To Speech, command line tool: say; /System/Library/Speech; synthesizer engines: MacinTalk (historic), Polyglot (phoneme-based?), Gryphon (current, DNN-based?) Text To Speech, command line tool: say; /System/Library/Speech; synthesizer engines: MacinTalk (historic), Polyglot (phoneme-based?), Gryphon (current, DNN-based?)
290 TVML TVML TV Markup Language; declarative UI language for TV apps; TVMLKit.framework TV Markup Language; declarative UI language for TV apps; TVMLKit.framework
291 Ubiquity Ubiquity iCloud Drive; uses CloudKit, codename Bladerunner; CloudDocs.framework; command line tools: fileproviderctl; launchd service: com.apple.bird (iclouddrive-agent); locally stored in ~/Library/Mobile Documents (was supposed to move to Library/CloudStorage/iCloud Drive and iclouddrivectl but this was reverted) iCloud Drive; codename Bladerunner, uses CloudKit; CloudDocs.framework; launchd service: com.apple.bird; locally stored in ~/Library/Mobile Documents (was supposed to move to Library/CloudStorage/iCloud Drive but this was reverted)
292 UID UID unique ID key, used as root key for cryptographic subsystems, generated during manufacturing by SEP and fused into hardware, only accessible by SEP unique ID key, used as root key for cryptographic subsystems, generated during manufacturing by SEP and fused into hardware, only accessible by SEP
293 Unified Logging Unified Logging system-wide logging and Activity tracking; launchd service: com.apple.logd, com.apple.diagnosticd; command line tool: log; /dev/oslog; data stored in /var/db/diagnostics, support files in /var/db/uuidtext system-wide logging and Activity tracking; launchd service: com.apple.logd, com.apple.diagnosticd; command line tool: log; /dev/oslog; data stored in /var/db/diagnostics, support files in /var/db/uuidtext
294 User Activity User Activity abstraction behind deep-linking into apps with structured context data (people, places); used for Universal Links (with schema.org on websites), Handoff, Parsec, Siri Shortcuts, Proactive; UserActivity.framework; launchd service: com.apple.coreservices.useractivityd abstraction for deep-linking into apps with structured context (people, places); used for Universal Links (schema.org on websites), Handoff, Parsec (app links in search), Siri Shortcuts, Quick Note (context awareness), Proactive; UserActivity.framework; launchd service: com.apple.coreservices.useractivityd
295 User Notifications User Notifications user interface for notification center; launchd service: com.apple.usernoted user interface for notification center; launchd service: com.apple.usernoted
296 UTI UTI Uniform Type Identifiers; system for document types; file extensions and MIME types are mapped to UTIs, UTIs form a conformance graph, apps register their UTIs with Launch Services; /System/Library/CoreServices/CoreTypes.bundle; also Apple’s hardware devices are represented as UTIs Uniform Type Identifiers; system for document types; file extensions and MIME types are mapped to UTIs, UTIs form a conformance graph, apps register their UTIs with Launch Services; /System/Library/CoreServices/CoreTypes.bundle; also Apple’s hardware devices are represented as UTIs
297 VA VA Video Acceleration; AppleGVA.framework, AppleVA.framework, AppleVPA.framework Video Acceleration; AppleGVA.framework, AppleVA.framework, AppleVPA.framework
298 Viceroy Viceroy video conferencing used by FaceTime and ReplayKit video conferencing used by FaceTime and ReplayKit; ViceroyTrace.framework
299 VSDB VSDB volume status database; /var/db/volinfo.database; command line tool: vsdbutil volume status database; /var/db/volinfo.database; command line tool: vsdbutil
300 Waldo Waldo Apple VPN service? seen in NSP, server: waldo.apple.com selects edge servers based on approximate location, part of Private Relay, seen in NSP
301 WFS WFS WebDAV File Sharing; built-in file sharing with Apache; /etc/wfs; command line tool: wfsctl WebDAV File Sharing; built-in file sharing with Apache; /etc/wfs; command line tool: wfsctl
302 Widgets Widgets content excerpt from apps; provided via a timeline of view hierarchies, configuration uses Intents, technically very similar to complications on watch face; extension point: com.apple.widgetkit-extension content excerpt from apps; provided via a timeline of view hierarchies, configuration uses Intents, technically very similar to complications on watch face; extension point: com.apple.widgetkit-extension
303 Willow Willow HomeKit; end-to-end-encrypted communication protocol and API for IoT-accessories; pairing with SRP using code printed on device, credential sync by CKKS, transported over Alloy, remote access using Apple TV as proxy; launchd service: com.apple.homed HomeKit; end-to-end-encrypted communication protocol and API for IoT-accessories; pairing with SRP using code printed on device, credential sync by CKKS, transported over Alloy, remote access using Apple TV as proxy; launchd service: com.apple.homed
304 Workflow Shortcuts; user-programmable system-wide automation, built-in triggers cause a chain of actions to run; actions are synthesized from User Activities and Intents provided by apps; WorkflowKit.framework, ActionKit.framework; locally stored in ~/Library/Shortcuts; launchd service: com.apple.siriactionsd (voice-triggered shortcuts); command line tool: shortcuts
305 xART xART eXtended Anti-Replay Technology; persistent storage for SEP, used by Mesa; /System/Volumes/xarts; launchd service: com.apple.xartstorageremoted; command line tool: xartutil eXtended Anti-Replay Technology; persistent storage for SEP, used by Mesa; /System/Volumes/xarts; launchd service: com.apple.xartstorageremoted; command line tool: xartutil
306 XCS XCS Xcode Server; continuous integration server; command line tools: xcscontrol, xcsdiagnose Xcode Server; continuous integration server; command line tools: xcscontrol, xcsdiagnose