6 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
5 changed files with 56 additions and 45 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
@@ -163,15 +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/ \(.*\)$$//;s/^\/(etc|var)\//\/private&/' | \
sed "s/'/''/g;s|.*|SELECT count(*), '&' FROM files WHERE path GLOB '&';|" | \
sqlite3 $(DB) | sed -n "/^0|/{s/^0|//;p;}"
check_binaries: internals.txt $(DB)
check_binaries: internals.tsv $(DB)
printf '\033[1mchecking command line tools...\033[m\n' >&2
grep -o 'command line tools\?: [^;]*' $< | sed 's/^[^:]*: //;s/ //g;s/([^)]*)//g' | tr , '\n' | \
sed "s/'/''/g;s|.*|SELECT count(*), '&' FROM files WHERE executable = true AND path GLOB '*/&';|" | \
@@ -185,13 +186,13 @@ check_binaries: internals.txt $(DB)
sed "s/'/''/g;s/.*/SELECT count(*), '&' FROM strings WHERE string GLOB '*&*';/" | \
sqlite3 $(DB) | sed -n "/^0|/{s/^0|//;p;}"
check_manifests: internals.txt $(DB)
check_manifests: internals.tsv $(DB)
printf '\033[1mchecking extension points...\033[m\n' >&2
grep -o 'extension points\?: [^;]*' $< | sed 's/^[^:]*: //;s/ //g;s/([^)]*)//g' | tr , '\n' | \
sed "s/'/''/g;s|.*|SELECT count(*), '&' FROM info, json_each(plist, '$$.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 = '&';|" | \

18
flake.lock generated
View File

@@ -35,11 +35,11 @@
"dsc-extractor": {
"flake": false,
"locked": {
"lastModified": 1628793863,
"narHash": "sha256-AOwiwoEE8xYzxhkX7RCkLaiArNZAV2GJWbpqLbKOaXY=",
"lastModified": 1636949004,
"narHash": "sha256-5K0CCRx5csFS5yLCWUmkkrKO1Ny3BOwasrrM2fUWgTU=",
"owner": "keith",
"repo": "dyld-shared-cache-extractor",
"rev": "9ef13238a8f5717165c91291212d6f32617ab67e",
"rev": "39b5d773495d99cdfaeab1904e47338b7257c59c",
"type": "github"
},
"original": {
@@ -50,11 +50,11 @@
},
"nixpkgs": {
"locked": {
"lastModified": 1633422745,
"narHash": "sha256-gA6Ok64nPbkjHk3Oanq4641EeYkjcKhisDF9wBjLxEk=",
"lastModified": 1650109093,
"narHash": "sha256-tqlnKrAdJktRLXTou9le0oTqrYBAFpGscV5RADdpArU=",
"owner": "NixOS",
"repo": "nixpkgs",
"rev": "8e1eab9eae4278c9bb1dcae426848a581943db5a",
"rev": "faad370edcb37162401be50d45526f52bb16a713",
"type": "github"
},
"original": {
@@ -76,11 +76,11 @@
"snap-util": {
"flake": false,
"locked": {
"lastModified": 1630855703,
"narHash": "sha256-r89y29BL/U6LEWhdLPn1TUvFz4IyEg0FexkD3UNdAUU=",
"lastModified": 1647211082,
"narHash": "sha256-zQ/0Cpo6CCeKXafeERjBCQ2gv9396c7UZU+VmViQVIc=",
"owner": "ahl",
"repo": "apfs",
"rev": "1cb945d598534bd3a0e26cae04a626993b5e6941",
"rev": "2bcf604966949f618e6a6ce33ca8ae1721494e6d",
"type": "github"
},
"original": {

View File

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
acextract =
with import nixpkgs { system = "x86_64-darwin"; };
let xcode = makeSetupHook {
deps = [ (xcodeenv.composeXcodeWrapper { version = "13.1"; }) ];
deps = [ (xcodeenv.composeXcodeWrapper { version = "13.4"; }) ];
} "${xcbuildHook}/nix-support/setup-hook";
in stdenv.mkDerivation {
name = "acextract-${lib.substring 0 8 self.inputs.acextract.lastModifiedDate}";
@@ -79,17 +79,17 @@
};
dsc-extractor =
with import nixpkgs { system = "x86_64-darwin"; };
rustPlatform.buildRustPackage {
stdenv.mkDerivation {
name = "dsc-extractor-${lib.substring 0 8 self.inputs.dsc-extractor.lastModifiedDate}";
src = dsc-extractor;
cargoHash = "sha256-Z405Q9gV/mJL2WtCstZ+Y9rEw32zgwU1RiYaAjkIcfw=";
nativeBuildInputs = [ cmake ];
};
snap-util =
with import nixpkgs { system = "x86_64-darwin"; };
stdenv.mkDerivation {
name = "snap-util-${lib.substring 0 8 self.inputs.snap-util.lastModifiedDate}";
src = snap-util;
nativeBuildInputs = [ (xcodeenv.composeXcodeWrapper { version = "13.1"; }) ];
nativeBuildInputs = [ (xcodeenv.composeXcodeWrapper { version = "13.4"; }) ];
preBuild = "NIX_CFLAGS_COMPILE='-idirafter ${snapshot-header}/bsd'";
installPhase = ''
mkdir -p $out/bin

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

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
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
@@ -9,7 +11,6 @@ Acoustic ID Siri feature to recognize songs
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)
AEA Apple Encrypted Archive; command line tool: aea
AGC Apple Graphics Control, management of multiple displays and display port connections; launchd service: com.apple.displaypolicyd
AIR Apple Intermediate Representation; synthetic bytecode architecture target for GPU binary toolchain
ALF Application-Level Firewall, launchd service: com.apple.alf (socketfilterfw)
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@ 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
@@ -36,11 +38,11 @@ ASR Apple Software Restore; restore entire volumes from sources like disk images
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 a genuine SEP; used for web authentication and app attestation; DeviceCheck.framework; 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 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
@@ -62,9 +64,10 @@ CAML Core Animation Markup Language; XML file format for layers, shapes and anim
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 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
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
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
@@ -79,17 +82,17 @@ 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)
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
@@ -108,13 +111,14 @@ 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
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; 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 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
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
@@ -135,6 +139,7 @@ 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
@@ -160,7 +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
@@ -182,10 +187,10 @@ 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, notarytool, 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, implements Private Relay; launchd service: com.apple.networkserviceproxy
@@ -204,16 +209,16 @@ 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; command line tool: umtool
PHASE spatial audio processing; PHASE.framework
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; approximate IP geolocation via Waldo
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
@@ -223,10 +228,12 @@ 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
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
@@ -245,13 +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
@@ -262,7 +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
@@ -276,12 +285,13 @@ Tin Can Walkie Talkie on watchOS
Tones ringtones; ToneLibrary.framework
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; codename Bladerunner, uses CloudKit; 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
@@ -291,6 +301,6 @@ Waldo selects edge servers based on approximate location, part of Private Relay,
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
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 and actions, extensible with User Activities and Intents; WorkflowKit.framework, ActionKit.framework; locally stored in ~/Library/Shortcuts; launchd service: com.apple.siriactionsd (voice-triggered shortcuts); command line tool: shortcuts
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
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)
AEA Apple Encrypted Archive; command line tool: aea
14 AGC AGC Apple Graphics Control, management of multiple displays and display port connections; launchd service: com.apple.displaypolicyd Apple Graphics Control, management of multiple displays and display port connections; launchd service: com.apple.displaypolicyd
15 AIR AIR Apple Intermediate Representation; synthetic bytecode architecture target for GPU binary toolchain Apple Intermediate Representation; synthetic bytecode architecture target for GPU binary toolchain
16 ALF ALF Application-Level Firewall, launchd service: com.apple.alf (socketfilterfw) Application-Level Firewall, launchd service: com.apple.alf (socketfilterfw)
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 AOP Always On Processor, part of Apple SoCs, runs RTKit as operating system 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
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 a genuine SEP; used for web authentication and app attestation; DeviceCheck.framework; 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 and Animoji (face tracking); 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
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 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 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 Classroom school teachers can create assignments for student iPads and track progress in Schoolwork app; ClassKit.framework; launchd service: com.apple.studentd
71 Cloud Pairing Cloud Pairing part of Alloy, Bluetooth out-of-band pairing over iCloud for Continuity; launchd service: com.apple.BTServer.cloudpairing (cloudpaird) 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
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 DCP 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
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 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
115 Find My … 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) 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 Focus restriction modes for notification presentation; Focus.framework, DoNotDisturb.framework; local settings in ~/Library/DoNotDisturb 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; command line tool: cktool 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 Group Activities SharePlay; sharing of media content and programmatic state over FaceTime calls; GroupActivities.framework, CopresenceCore.framework; launchd service: com.apple.telephonyutilities.callservicesd SharePlay; sharing of media content and programmatic state over FaceTime calls; GroupActivities.framework, CopresenceCore.framework; launchd service: com.apple.telephonyutilities.callservicesd
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
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, notarytool, 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, implements Private Relay; launchd service: com.apple.networkserviceproxy Network Service Proxy; per-app VPN and proxy settings, implements Private Relay; launchd service: com.apple.networkserviceproxy
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; command line tool: umtool 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 PHASE spatial audio processing; PHASE.framework 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 Private Relay two-hop onion routing with one entry and one exit node; Apple operates entry, third-party services operate exit nodes; approximate IP geolocation via Waldo 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
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 RTKit operating system used on Apple Silicon for firmware of co-processors
237 RunningBoard 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 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
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
285 Tones Tones ringtones; ToneLibrary.framework ringtones; ToneLibrary.framework
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; codename Bladerunner, uses CloudKit; 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
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 Workflow Shortcuts; user-programmable system-wide automation, built-in triggers and actions, extensible with User Activities and Intents; WorkflowKit.framework, ActionKit.framework; locally stored in ~/Library/Shortcuts; launchd service: com.apple.siriactionsd (voice-triggered shortcuts); command line tool: shortcuts 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