extension definitions and their extension point names appear in Xcode
project templates
• scan all of Xcode’s Developer directory, not just selected subdirs
• extract plist part regarding extensions from TemplateInfo.plist files
• check for macOS and iOS extension keys
sed "s/'/''/g;s|.*|SELECT count(*), '&' FROM info, json_each(plist, '$$.NSExtension') WHERE key = 'NSExtensionPointIdentifier' AND value = '&';|"|\
sed "s/'/''/g;s|.*|SELECT count(*), '&' FROM (SELECT value FROM info, json_each(plist, '$$.NSExtension') WHERE key = 'NSExtensionPointIdentifier' UNION SELECT value FROM info, json_each(plist, '$$.EXAppExtensionAttributes') WHERE key = 'EXExtensionPointIdentifier') WHERE value = '&';|"|\
ACDE Apple Connect Device External? ACDEClient.framework, old two-step verification, derived from a company-internal AppleConnect system?
ACFS Apple Clustered File System; deprecated file system for Xsan; acfs.framework
Acoustic ID Siri feature to recognize songs
Acoustic ID song recognition and matching with Apple catalog, playback on HomePod; /System/Library/Components/AudioDSP.component
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)
@@ -15,11 +15,11 @@ Aegir astronomy watch face and lock screen; /System/Library/CoreServices/AegirPr
AGC Apple Graphics Control, management of multiple displays and display port connections; launchd service: com.apple.displaypolicyd
AHAP Apple Haptic Audio Pattern; file format for simultaneous audio and haptic data; CoreHaptics.framework
AIR Apple Intermediate Representation; synthetic bytecode architecture target for GPU binary toolchain
Alloy substrate for communication between user devices over Bluetooth and devices to iCloud, implemented over IDS; /System/Library/IdentityServices/ServiceDefinitions; launchd service: com.apple.identityservicesd
ALS Ambient Light Sensor, AmbientDisplay.framework
Amber Swift UI; SwiftUI.framework
AMFI Apple Mobile File Integrity, checks code integrity based on code signature, stronger enforcement with hardened runtime, validates entitlement restrictions; launchd service: com.apple.MobileFileIntegrity (amfid, invoked by kernel through host special port 18); disabled by setting amfi_get_out_of_my_way=0x1 in boot-args
AMFI Apple Mobile File Integrity, checks code integrity based on code signature, stronger enforcement with hardened runtime, validates entitlement restrictions and environment constraints (launch constraints, library constraints); launchd service: com.apple.MobileFileIntegrity (amfid, invoked by kernel through host special port 18); disabled by setting amfi_get_out_of_my_way=0x1 in boot-args
AMP Apple Media Protocol? former parts of iTunes for iPod and iOS device access in Finder, Home Sharing; AMPDevices.framework, AMPSharing.framework; launchd services: com.apple.AMPDeviceDiscoveryAgent, com.apple.AMPDevicesAgent, com.apple.amp.mediasharingd
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
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ App Nap quiescence detection for applications and corresponding self-demotion in
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
APT Adaptive Picture Timing? ProMotion; dynamic screen updates with 120Hz base frequency; AppleDisplayTCONControl.framework
Ask To parental-controlled user can ask parent for exceptions; launchd service: com.apple.asktod; AskToCore.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
@@ -46,13 +47,14 @@ ATSUI Apple Type Services for Unicode Imaging; rendering engine superseded by Co
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; 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
Avatar Memoji and Animoji, including pre-rendered iMessage stickers; 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
Background Assets assets that an app extension loads without the app being launched; BackgroundAssets.framework; extension point: com.apple.background-asset-downloader-extension; launchd service: com.apple.backgroundassets.user
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-synced real-time streaming and processing for donated and invoked Intents; BiomeStreams.framework, BiomeSync.framework; local processing in Poirot database (?): PoirotSQLite.framework, PoirotUDFs.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
@@ -65,11 +67,13 @@ Bulletin Board application push notification management, aggregates local and re
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
CDM Continuous Dialog Manager; dialog with Siri; ContinuousDialogManagerService.framework, Marrs.framework;
CEC Consumer Electronics Control; remote control for HDMI-connected devices; CoreRC.framework, IOCEC.framework
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
Chamois Stage Manager
CHIP Connected Home over IP; Matter; integrated into HomeKit; CHIPPlugin.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)
CHIP Connected Home over IP; Matter; integrated into HomeKit; HomeKitMatter.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: 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
Clarity customizable accessibility mode for simplified UI; ClarityFoundation.framework
Classroom school teachers can create assignments for student iPads and track progress in Schoolwork app; ClassKit.framework; launchd service: com.apple.studentd
@@ -78,6 +82,7 @@ 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
Companion iPhone that is paired with Watch; communication uses Alloy over IPsec over Bluetooth
Contact Key Verification code for manual verification of iMessage keys; code identifies a long-lived account key stored in iCloud Keychain, which signs all ESS device keys
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
@@ -95,23 +100,27 @@ Data Detectors text analysis to highlight phone numbers, street addresses, and t
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
DDE Device Discovery Extension; detects devices on local network without app access to local network; DeviceDiscoveryExtension.framework, DeviceDiscoveryUICore.framework; extension point: com.apple.discovery-extension
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
Developer Mode enables launching of self-compiled apps in iOS, rough equivalent to System Policy; command line tool: devmodectl
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
Digital Separation safety check feature to inhibit sharing relationships; DigitalSeparation.framework
DMC Device Management Client; part of MDM; DMCUtilities.framework
DMC Disk Mount Conditioner; simulates slow IO devices; command line tool: dmc
DND Do Not Disturb
DSID Destination Signaling Identifier, unique ID for IDS login on a specific device
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
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, CascadeEngine.framework (link to Biome); launchd services: com.apple.coreduetd, com.apple.knowledge-agent, com.apple.ospredictiond
Dyld Shared Cache dynamic linker cache, stores all system libraries in prelinked form, original library files are removed; /System/Volumes/Preboot/Cryptexes/OS/System/Library/dyld; command line tools: dyld_info, dyld_usage, 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
Energy Impact unitless metric for per-application energy consumption, machine-specific coefficients; /usr/share/pmenergy, 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
ESS IDS user directory, public key distribution for iMessage and CloudKit sharing, uses Transparency; server: *.ess.apple.com; launchd service: com.apple.identityservicesd
Eye Relief screen distance warning for handheld devices; /Applications/EyeReliefUI.app
FaceTime video calls, employs the ICE (establishing peer-to-peer connection), STUN (session credential exchange) and SRTP (encrypted media streaming) protocols; FTServices.framework; launchd services: com.apple.videoconference.camera (avconferenced)
FairPlay DRM system used by app and media stores; CoreADI.framework, CoreFP.framework, CoreLSKD.framework; launchd services: com.apple.adid, com.apple.fairplayd (invoked by kernel through host special port 17), com.apple.lskdd; credentials stored in /var/db/fpsd
Family Circle Family Sharing; launchd services: com.apple.familycircled, com.apple.askpermissiond
@@ -120,16 +129,19 @@ FDR Factory Data/Device Reset? ensures that no downgrades are performed? servers
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)
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 filters for in-app display restrictions, communicat by Intents; Focus.framework, DoNotDisturb.framework; local settings in ~/Library/DoNotDisturb
Focus restriction modes for notification presentation; focus filters for in-app display restrictions, communicated by Intents; 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
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 by GroupKit; 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
FSKit user space file system support; kernel stub file system is /System/Library/Extensions/lifs.kext; file systems are in /System/Library/ExtensionKit/Extensions/com.apple.fskit.*; launchd service: com.apple.filesystems.fskitd; extension point: com.apple.fskit.fsmodule
FUD Firmware Update Daemon; /var/db/fud; launchd service: com.apple.accessoryupdaterd
Game Mode auto-activates when games are shown full screen, throttles background work, lowers audio and input latency; launchd service: com.apple.gamepolicyd
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
GroupKit groups of IDS users with shared CloudKit (PCS) access; GroupKit.framework
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
@@ -139,20 +151,20 @@ HeadBoard derivative of SpringBoard for tvOS home screen; /Applications/HeadBoar
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
HSM Hardware Security Module; HSM fleet runs escrow service for Secure Backup
iBoot boot loader stage after boot ROM or UEFI (macOS on Intel); intermediate Low-Level Bootloader (LLB); DFU mode is implemented here; /System/Library/CoreServices/boot.efi
iCDP iCloud Data Protection, codename for a set of enhancements to iCloud privacy: device passcodes used as iCSC for Secure Backup, root keys for CKKS-enabled services only synced between devices and not stored at Apple; launchd service: com.apple.cdpd
iCloud umbrella term for a conglomerate of services, consists of FoundationDB containers with PCS views for key management, supported by CKKS; uses IDS and APNS; some services under the iCloud name are actually served by AMS, IMAP, or DAV
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 Apple’s online services; APNS topics for signaling and messaging, see also Alloy, ESS, FaceTime, iMessage; authentication to services with Kerberos
IDS Identity Directory 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
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, Shortcuts, Widgets (configuration); definition file or programmatically using AppIntents.framework; command line tool: appintentsmetadataprocessor (Xcode extracts Intent definition at compile time); 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; SpeechRecognitionCore.framework; 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, ASRBridge.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
@@ -188,26 +200,28 @@ MDS Module Directory Services, ancient part of the old security APIs (CSDA, CSSM
MMCS MobileMe Chunk Storage, used by iCloud, splits blobs into chunks and stores them at Apple/AWS/GCP with convergent encryption (content hash as key); MMCS.framework
Mobile prefix for iOS
Mobile Assets demand-downloaded system components like fonts, dictionaries, linguistic data; stored in /System/Library/Assets; launchd services: com.apple.languageassetd (language-dependent assets), com.apple.mobileassetd; server: mesu.apple.com
Mobile Device connectivity to iOS devices over USB or WiFi (AirTrafficHost) for syning, development, and debugging; MobileDevice.framework; launchd service: com.apple.usbmuxd; Bonjour service: _apple-mobdev2._tcp
MOC Managed Object Context; Core Data object space
Mondrian photo collage arrangement in Photos.app; Mondrian.framework
MRT Malware Removal Tool; /Library/Apple/System/Library/CoreServices/MRT.app; superseded by XProtect
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
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
Nearby Interaction proximity-based interaction between devices; proximity measured using ultra wideband or derived from other technologies; used for Universal Control, tapping phones for AirDrop; 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: 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
OAH Rosetta; ahead-of-time compiler for Intel code on Apple Silicon; /usr/libexec/rosetta
OAH Rosetta; ahead-of-time compiler for Intel code on Apple Silicon, usable from Linux VMs by way of a custom binformat; /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
OpenBSM Open Basic Security Module; deprecated security audit subsystem; /etc/security, /var/audit; launchd service: com.apple.auditd; command line tool: audit
Opus create slide shows from photos; Slideshows.framework
OSA Open Scripting Architecture; scripting of applications from different fontend languages (currently AppleScript and JavaScript); backed by Apple Events; command line tools: osacompile, osadecompile, osalang, osascript, sdef, sdp
OTUT One-Time Unlock Token; security mechanism to allow keybag unwrapping after updates
@@ -215,23 +229,31 @@ PAC Pointer Authentication Codes; pointers signed in unused bits to prevent ROP
Packages unit of software installation; command line tools: pkgutil, installer, softwareupdate; launchd services: com.apple.softwareupdated, com.apple.bootinstalld, com.apple.installd, com.apple.system_installd, com.apple.uninstalld; /var/db/softwareupdate, /Library/Apple/System/Library/Receipts (system), /System/Library/Receipts (read-only), /private/var/db/receipts (App Store)
Packet Filter network traffic filtering subsystem from OpenBSD; command line tool: pfctl
Parsec Spotlight web results and searching of crowdsourced User Activity deep links; server: *.smoot.apple.com; launchd services: com.apple.parsecd, com.apple.parsec-fbf (Feedback Flush to Differential Privacy)
Party Studio Karaoke mode on tvOS, where video from a paired phone is shown with effects; /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/PartyStudio.*
Passkey keypair used for authentication instead of password, synced via SOS, implements WebAuthn standard; keys can be used to login on separate device via QR code and Bluetooth proximity proof; AuthenticationServices.framework
Password Breach monitoring of Keychain passwords against a breach database; round-robin matching in fixed-size batches, local match against common leaks, remote match using hash prefix; launchd service: com.apple.Safari.passwordbreachd
Pasteboard storage for cut, copy, and paste; type of content remembered as UTI; launchd service: com.apple.pboard; command line tools: pbcopy, pbpaste
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
PAT Private Access Tokens; blind challenge-response authentication; Apple server attests user validity to token issuer, issuer performs blind signature, websites receiving the token cannot identify user; used for Private Relay, can replace CAPTCHAs
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, GroupKit, 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
PEC/PIR Private Encrypted Compute and Private Information Retrieval; used for parental controls for media and web; CipherML.framework; launchd service: com.apple.ciphermld
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
People contacts with Apple ID accounts within Group Activities and Shared With You
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 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
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
Preview Shell skeleton for on-device UI previews during development; /System/Library/CoreServices/PreviewShell.app; PreviewShellKit.framework, XOJIT.framework (code live patching)
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 PAT
Proactive umbrella term for suggestions and completions based on Duet forecasting and User Activity context, also marketed as Siri features; PersonalizationPortrait.framework
Provenance per-file origin tracking, extended attribute com.apple.provenance stores ID into /var/db/SystemPolicyConfiguration/ExecPolicy
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
@@ -247,6 +269,7 @@ Routine frequently visited locations on iOS, interacts with Duet; launchd servic
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
Safety Monitor Check In; short-term location sharing in iMessage until a destination is reached; /Applications/SafetyMonitorApp.app
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
@@ -259,6 +282,8 @@ SEP Secure Enclave Processor; dedicated ARM core for security services, runs L4/
Sequoia translation; downloadable language models can run on-device; /Applications/SequoiaTranslator.app, Translation.framework
Seymour Apple Fitness+; workout videos integrated with Watch sensors; SeymourCore.framework
SF Symbols scalable UI symbols; rendered with various color treatments; SFSymbols.framework
Shared File List lists of recently opened files from apps that are stored with Launch Services; command line tool: sfltool; also manages login items and app-installed background daemons
Shared With You collaboration features between apps and iMessage; content shared via iMessage is surfaced in apps (Swift Transferable protocol), content in apps can be collaboratively edited and connected to an iMessage group; collaborations are expressed by keys derived from participant device keys, padded with a number of random keys to prevent tracking of device count, a merkle tree of those keys is used to prove inclusion of a specific device to an app; SharedWithYou.framework
Sharing umbrella term for wireless proximity services: AirDrop, Continuity, Instant Hotspot, WiFi sharing; used by loginwindow for Watch unlock; Sharing.framework; launchd service: com.apple.sharingd; also serves connection sharing and remote disk
@@ -281,7 +306,7 @@ SPRR Shadow Permission Remap Register? feature of Apple Silicon to dynamically r
SRP Secure Remote Password; standard cryptographic protocol for proving knowledge of a secret such that attackers cannot brute-force the secret; AppleSRP.framework
SSO Single Sign-On
SSV Signed System Volume, als called Authenticated Root Volume (ARV); macOS boots from blessed read-only APFS snapshot, merkle-tree and root-hash stored in Preboot volume; modifications require disabling root authentication with csrutil from recovery, then the live filesystem can be mounted, modified, and re-blessed; command line tools: apfs_systemsnapshot, bless, csrutil
Stark CarPlay
Stark CarPlay; companion apps on iOS: /Applications/AutoSettings.app, /Applications/CarCamera.app, /Applications/Charge.app, /Applications/Climate.app, /Applications/Closures.app, /Applications/Media.app, /Applications/TirePressure.app, /Applications/Trip.app
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
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
System Extension user-level components formerly in the kernel; currently either a DriverKit, Network, or Endpoint Security extension; /System/DriverKit, /System/Library/DriverExtensions; command line tool: systemextensionsctl; launchd services: com.apple.sysextd, com.apple.nesessionmanager, com.apple.endpointsecurity.endpointsecurityd; command line tool: eslogger
System Extension system-wide components formerly implemented as insecure plugins or kexts; current extension types: DriverKit, FSKit, Network, Endpoint Security, Core Media IO; /System/DriverKit, /System/Library/DriverExtensions; command line tool: systemextensionsctl; launchd services: com.apple.sysextd, com.apple.nesessionmanager, com.apple.endpointsecurity.endpointsecurityd; command line tool: eslogger
System Policy Gatekeeper; policy engine for application launches and kext loading, malware signatures from /Library/Apple/System/Library/CoreServices/XProtect.bundle; /var/db/SystemPolicy; launchd service: com.apple.security.syspolicy (invoked by kernel through host special port 29); command line tool: spctl
Tailspin sampling of process stack traces; launchd service: com.apple.tailspind; command line tool: tailspin
TAL Transparent App Lifecycle; process for macOS apps started and stopped independently of the user launching and quitting app; also handles session restore across reboots; ~/Library/Saved Application State; launchd service: com.apple.talagent
Taskport Mach kernel concept for ptrace-like access to task internals; access policy implemented by daemon; launchd service: com.apple.taskgated (invoked by kernel through task special port 9); command line tool: DevToolsSecurity
TCC Transparency, Consent, and Control; user control over app access to privacy-related services (kTCCService*); TCC.framework; launchd services: com.apple.tccd, com.apple.tccd.system; command line tool: tccutil; stored in /Library/Application Support/com.apple.TCC, ~/Library/Application Support/com.apple.TCC, /var/db/locationd (for kTCCServiceLocation)
Template App code-less app-bundle, passed to an actual executable by LauncServices; created when adding websites in Safari to Dock/Springboard; run by /System/Volumes/Preboot/Cryptexes/App/System/Library/CoreServices/Web App.app
Time Machine automatic backup service, command line tools: tmdiagnose, tmutil
Tin Can Walkie Talkie on watchOS
Tin Can Walkie Talkie on watchOS; /Applications/TinCan.app
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, based on CONIKS, devices audit IDS records against transparency logs, log hashes gossiped over iMessage to detect split-view attacks; Transparency.framework; launchd service: com.apple.transparencyd; server: init-kt.apple.com
TTS Text To Speech, neural-network-based synthesis engine (Gryphon); command line tool: say; /System/Library/Speech, /System/Library/TTSPlugins
TVML TV Markup Language; declarative UI language for TV apps; TVMLKit.framework
@@ -310,12 +337,16 @@ User Activity abstraction for deep-linking into apps with structured context (pe
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 Apple’s hardware devices are represented as UTIs
VA Video Acceleration; AppleGVA.framework, AppleVA.framework, AppleVPA.framework
VDAF Verifiable Distributed Aggregation Function; part of Differential Privacy; VDAF.framework
Viceroy video conferencing used by FaceTime and ReplayKit; ViceroyTrace.framework
Virtualisation running virtual machines on macOS; Hypervisor.framework (for basic VMs and vCPUs), Virtualization.framework (brings a robust set of device models)
VSDB volume status database; /var/db/volinfo.database; command line tool: vsdbutil
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; visible on home screen, lock screen, as live activities, as watch complications; WidgetKit.framework; extension point: com.apple.widgetkit-extension
Widgets content excerpt from apps; provided via a timeline of view hierarchies, configuration uses Intents; visible on home screen, lock screen, as live activities, as watch complications; WidgetKit.framework; extension point: com.apple.widgetkit-extension; launchd service: com.apple.chronod (timeline management and sync)
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
Apple Connect Device External? ACDEClient.framework, old two-step verification, derived from a company-internal AppleConnect system?
9
ACFS
Apple Clustered File System; deprecated file system for Xsan; acfs.framework
10
Acoustic ID
Siri feature to recognize songssong recognition and matching with Apple catalog, playback on HomePod; /System/Library/Components/AudioDSP.component
11
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
12
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
Apple Events; messaging system to invoke application functionality; CoreServices.framework/AE.framework; launchd services: com.apple.coreservices.appleevents, com.apple.AEServer (AE over network)
15
AGC
Apple Graphics Control, management of multiple displays and display port connections; launchd service: com.apple.displaypolicyd
16
AHAP
Apple Haptic Audio Pattern; file format for simultaneous audio and haptic data; CoreHaptics.framework
17
AIR
Apple Intermediate Representation; synthetic bytecode architecture target for GPU binary toolchain
substrate for communication between user devices over Bluetooth and devices to iCloud, implemented over IDS; /System/Library/IdentityServices/ServiceDefinitions; launchd service: com.apple.identityservicesd
20
ALS
Ambient Light Sensor, AmbientDisplay.framework
21
Amber
Swift UI; SwiftUI.framework
22
AMFI
Apple Mobile File Integrity, checks code integrity based on code signature, stronger enforcement with hardened runtime, validates entitlement restrictions; launchd service: com.apple.MobileFileIntegrity (amfid, invoked by kernel through host special port 18); disabled by setting amfi_get_out_of_my_way=0x1 in boot-argsApple Mobile File Integrity, checks code integrity based on code signature, stronger enforcement with hardened runtime, validates entitlement restrictions and environment constraints (launch constraints, library constraints); launchd service: com.apple.MobileFileIntegrity (amfid, invoked by kernel through host special port 18); disabled by setting amfi_get_out_of_my_way=0x1 in boot-args
23
AMP
Apple Media Protocol? former parts of iTunes for iPod and iOS device access in Finder, Home Sharing; AMPDevices.framework, AMPSharing.framework; launchd services: com.apple.AMPDeviceDiscoveryAgent, com.apple.AMPDevicesAgent, com.apple.amp.mediasharingd
24
AMP
Asynchronous Multiprocessing; performance and power-efficiency cores on Apple Silicon
25
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
35
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
Adaptive Picture Timing? ProMotion; dynamic screen updates with 120Hz base frequency; AppleDisplayTCONControl.framework
38
Ask To
parental-controlled user can ask parent for exceptions; launchd service: com.apple.asktod; AskToCore.framework
39
ASL
Apple System Logger, superseded by Unified Logging; /etc/asl; stored in /var/log/asl; launchd service: com.apple.syslogd; command line tool: syslog
40
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
41
Assertions
power state management allowing applications to prevent sleeping; launchd service: com.apple.powerd; command line tools: caffeinate, pmset
47
ATT
App Tracking Transparency; apps declare user tracking on app store
48
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?
49
Authorization
discretionary access control policies for high-level services; similar to PAM; policy stored in /var/db/auth.db
50
Avatar
Memoji and Animoji (face tracking); AvatarKit.frameworkMemoji and Animoji, including pre-rendered iMessage stickers; AvatarKit.framework
51
AVB
Audio Video Bridging, low-latency audio over Ethernet; launchd service: com.apple.avbdeviced; command line tool: avbdiagnose, avbutil
52
AWD
Apple Wireless Diagnostics, sends system telemetry to Apple; CoreAnalytics.framework, WirelessDiagnostics.framework; launchd services: com.apple.awdd, com.apple.analyticsd
53
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
54
Background Assets
assets that an app extension loads without the app being launched; BackgroundAssets.framework; extension point: com.apple.background-asset-downloader-extension; launchd service: com.apple.backgroundassets.user
55
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
CloudKit-based datastream and sync engine; BiomeStreams.framework, BiomeSync.framework; launchd services: com.apple.BiomeAgent, com.apple.biomesyncdCloudKit-synced real-time streaming and processing for donated and invoked Intents; BiomeStreams.framework, BiomeSync.framework; local processing in Poirot database (?): PoirotSQLite.framework, PoirotUDFs.framework; launchd services: com.apple.BiomeAgent, com.apple.biomesyncd
58
Blast Door
sandboxed sanitization process for untrusted iMessage input; BlastDoor.framework
59
BOM
Bill of Materials; format to store contents of installer Packages; command line tool: lsbom
60
Bonjour
mDNS; launchd service: com.apple.mDNSResponder.reloaded; command line tool: dns-sd
67
Cache Delete
cleanup for various caches; /System/Library/CacheDelete; launchd service: com.apple.cache_delete (deleted)
68
CAML
Core Animation Markup Language; XML file format for layers, shapes and animations
69
Carousel
derivative of SpringBoard for Watch home screen, watch face, and notification center
70
CDM
Continuous Dialog Manager; dialog with Siri; ContinuousDialogManagerService.framework, Marrs.framework;
71
CEC
Consumer Electronics Control; remote control for HDMI-connected devices; CoreRC.framework, IOCEC.framework
72
Celestial
media streaming used by ReplayKit for game broadcasts; Celestial.framework
73
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
74
Chamois
Stage Manager
75
CHIP
Connected Home over IP; Matter; integrated into HomeKit; CHIPPlugin.frameworkConnected Home over IP; Matter; integrated into HomeKit; HomeKitMatter.framework
76
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)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: otctl (Octagon)
77
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
78
Clarity
customizable accessibility mode for simplified UI; ClarityFoundation.framework
79
Classroom
school teachers can create assignments for student iPads and track progress in Schoolwork app; ClassKit.framework; launchd service: com.apple.studentd
82
Commpage
user-mapped kernel data, like vdso/vsyscall on Linux; mapped at 0x7fffffe00000
83
Communications Filter
recipient blocking for iMessage, FaceTime, Mail; launchd service: com.apple.cmfsyncagent
84
Companion
iPhone that is paired with Watch; communication uses Alloy over IPsec over Bluetooth
85
Contact Key Verification
code for manual verification of iMessage keys; code identifies a long-lived account key stored in iCloud Keychain, which signs all ESS device keys
86
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
87
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
directories with the UF_DATAVAULT special flag; CSR limits access to one application
101
DAV
Distributed Authoring and Versioning; network protocol on top of HTTP for syncing calendars (CalDAV), contacts (CardDAV), and formerly also bookmarks (BookmarkDAV)
102
DCP
Display Co-Processor
103
DDE
Device Discovery Extension; detects devices on local network without app access to local network; DeviceDiscoveryExtension.framework, DeviceDiscoveryUICore.framework; extension point: com.apple.discovery-extension
104
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
105
Developer Mode
enables launching of self-compiled apps in iOS, rough equivalent to System Policy; command line tool: devmodectl
106
DFR
Dynamic Function Row?, TouchBar; /System/Library/CoreServices/ControlStrip.app; DFRFoundation.framework
107
DFU
Device Firmware Update; special boot mode where iOS has not booted and the system can be installed over the Lightning connection
108
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
109
Digital Separation
safety check feature to inhibit sharing relationships; DigitalSeparation.framework
110
DMC
Device Management Client; part of MDM; DMCUtilities.framework
111
DMC
Disk Mount Conditioner; simulates slow IO devices; command line tool: dmc
112
DND
Do Not Disturb
113
DSID
Destination Signaling Identifier, unique ID for IDS login on a specific device
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-agenttelemetry 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, CascadeEngine.framework (link to Biome); launchd services: com.apple.coreduetd, com.apple.knowledge-agent, com.apple.ospredictiond
116
Dyld Shared Cache
dynamic linker cache, stores all system libraries in prelinked form, original library files are removed; /System/Volumes/Preboot/Cryptexes/OS/System/Library/dyld; command line tools: dyld_info, dyld_usage, update_dyld_shared_cache
117
EAS
Exchange Active Sync; network protocol for accessing Microsoft Exchange servers
118
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
119
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: powermetricsunitless metric for per-application energy consumption, machine-specific coefficients; /usr/share/pmenergy, launchd services: com.apple.sysmond, com.apple.thermald; command line tool: powermetrics
120
Engram
Messages in iCloud; devices store received iMessages in CloudKit; Engram.framework
121
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
122
ESS
IDS user directory, public key distribution for iMessage and CloudKit sharing, uses Transparency; server: *.ess.apple.com; launchd service: com.apple.identityservicesd
123
Eye Relief
screen distance warning for handheld devices; /Applications/EyeReliefUI.app
124
FaceTime
video calls, employs the ICE (establishing peer-to-peer connection), STUN (session credential exchange) and SRTP (encrypted media streaming) protocols; FTServices.framework; launchd services: com.apple.videoconference.camera (avconferenced)
125
FairPlay
DRM system used by app and media stores; CoreADI.framework, CoreFP.framework, CoreLSKD.framework; launchd services: com.apple.adid, com.apple.fairplayd (invoked by kernel through host special port 17), com.apple.lskdd; credentials stored in /var/db/fpsd
126
Family Circle
Family Sharing; launchd services: com.apple.familycircled, com.apple.askpermissiond
129
Feldspar
Apple News; Silex.framework
130
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
131
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
132
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)
133
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
134
Focus
restriction modes for notification presentation; focus filters for in-app display restrictions, communicat by Intents; Focus.framework, DoNotDisturb.framework; local settings in ~/Library/DoNotDisturbrestriction modes for notification presentation; focus filters for in-app display restrictions, communicated by Intents; Focus.framework, DoNotDisturb.framework; local settings in ~/Library/DoNotDisturb
135
FollowUp
user interaction for Secure Backup wrapping with device passcode, CoreFollowUp.framework; launchd service: com.apple.followupd
136
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: cktoolfundamental 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 by GroupKit; 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
137
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
138
FSKit
user space file system support; kernel stub file system is /System/Library/Extensions/lifs.kext; file systems are in /System/Library/ExtensionKit/Extensions/com.apple.fskit.*; launchd service: com.apple.filesystems.fskitd; extension point: com.apple.fskit.fsmodule
auto-activates when games are shown full screen, throttles background work, lowers audio and input latency; launchd service: com.apple.gamepolicyd
141
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
142
Gizmo
Apple Watch; watch settings managed by Companion; /Applications/Bridge.app, /System/Library/BridgeManifests
143
Group Activities
SharePlay; sharing of media content and programmatic state over FaceTime calls; GroupActivities.framework, CopresenceCore.framework; launchd service: com.apple.telephonyutilities.callservicesd
144
GroupKit
groups of IDS users with shared CloudKit (PCS) access; GroupKit.framework
145
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
146
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
147
HAP
Home Automation Protocol; CoreHAP.framework
151
HLS
HTTP Live Streaming
152
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
153
HSM
Hardware Security Module; HSM fleet runs escrow service for Secure Backup
boot loader stage after boot ROM or UEFI (macOS on Intel); intermediate Low-Level Bootloader (LLB); DFU mode is implemented here; /System/Library/CoreServices/boot.efi
157
iCDP
iCloud Data Protection, codename for a set of enhancements to iCloud privacy: device passcodes used as iCSC for Secure Backup, root keys for CKKS-enabled services only synced between devices and not stored at Apple; launchd service: com.apple.cdpd
158
iCloud
umbrella term for a conglomerate of services, consists of FoundationDB containers with PCS views for key management, supported by CKKS; uses IDS and APNS; some services under the iCloud name are actually served by AMS, IMAP, or DAV
159
iCSC
iCloud Security Code, credential wrapping for Secure Backup, previously used a separate code, with HSA2/iCDP uses device passcodes
160
IDAM
Inter-Device Audio and MIDI; audio connection between devices
161
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 KerberosIdentity Directory 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
162
IDV
Identity Verification? Touch ID and Face ID; /System/Library/AccessibilityBundles/CoreIDVUI.axbundle
163
IM
Instant Messaging; usually means iMessage and FaceTime
164
IMG4
boot files (Mach-O binaries or configuration data) with ASN.1 signature, contains RemotePolicy certificate constraints to restrict Boot Policy evaluation
165
Intent
use-case-driven interaction with 3rd-party apps from a host app; used for Siri, Maps, Shortcuts, Widgets (configuration); definition file or programmatically using AppIntents.framework; command line tool: appintentsmetadataprocessor (Xcode extracts Intent definition at compile time); extension points: com.apple.intents-service, com.apple.intents-ui-service
166
IOKit
device driver subsystem for in-kernel and DriverKit drivers, command line tool: ioreg
167
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.comdictation, customized on server with selected user data (contacts, app names, music titles, HomeKit names, Siri Shortcut phrases), not tied to Apple ID; SpeechRecognitionCore.framework, ASRBridge.framework; server: guzzoni.apple.com
168
ISP
Image Signal Processor; camera imaging circuit in iPhones
169
ITML
iTunes Markup Language; metdata tagging for media services; ITMLKit.framework
170
ITP
Intelligent Tracking Prevention, cross-site tracking defenses in Safari, statistics and user interaction classify sites, cookies are partitioned and access is restricted
200
Memory Debugging
uses Taskport; command line tools: heap, leaks, malloc_history, stringdups, vmmap
201
Mesa
Touch ID; /Library/Catacomb; /var/db/bkad.db
202
Metadata
Spotlight; file indexing on macOS; CoreServices.framework/Metadata.framework, CoreServices.framework/SearchKit.framework; stored in .Spotlight-V100; launchd service: com.apple.metadata.mds; command line tools: mddiagnose, mdfind, mdimport, mdls, mdutil; in addition to auto-indexing, apps can explicitly register searchable items; CoreSpotlight.framework; launchd service: com.apple.corespotlightd
MobileMe Chunk Storage, used by iCloud, splits blobs into chunks and stores them at Apple/AWS/GCP with convergent encryption (content hash as key); MMCS.framework
205
Mobile
prefix for iOS
206
Mobile Assets
demand-downloaded system components like fonts, dictionaries, linguistic data; stored in /System/Library/Assets; launchd services: com.apple.languageassetd (language-dependent assets), com.apple.mobileassetd; server: mesu.apple.com
207
Mobile Device
connectivity to iOS devices over USB or WiFi (AirTrafficHost) for syning, development, and debugging; MobileDevice.framework; launchd service: com.apple.usbmuxd; Bonjour service: _apple-mobdev2._tcp
208
MOC
Managed Object Context; Core Data object space
209
Mondrian
photo collage arrangement in Photos.app; Mondrian.framework
210
MRT
Malware Removal Tool; /Library/Apple/System/Library/CoreServices/MRT.appMalware Removal Tool; /Library/Apple/System/Library/CoreServices/MRT.app; superseded by XProtect
211
Multipeer Connectivity
ad-hoc networking; Bonjour for discovery; WiFi, AWDL, Bluetooth, or Ethernet as transport; optional encryption and certificate-based authentication; MultipeerConnectivity.framework
212
Nano
prefix for watchOS
213
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.nearbydproximity-based interaction between devices; proximity measured using ultra wideband or derived from other technologies; used for Universal Control, tapping phones for AirDrop; NearbyInteraction.framework, Proximity.framework; launchd service: com.apple.nearbyd
214
Newton
fall detection on watchOS
215
NLP
Natural Language Processing; NLP.framework; related to mecabra libraries, a linguistic engine for Chinese and Japanese; /usr/share/mecabra, /usr/share/tokenizer
216
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
217
Noticeboard
User Notifications for Software Update and App Store, Noticeboard.framework; launchd services: com.apple.noticeboard.state (nbstated), com.apple.noticeboard.agent (nbagent)
218
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
219
NSP
Network Service Proxy; per-app VPN and proxy settings, implements Private Relay; launchd service: com.apple.networkserviceproxy
220
OAH
Rosetta; ahead-of-time compiler for Intel code on Apple Silicon; /usr/libexec/rosettaRosetta; ahead-of-time compiler for Intel code on Apple Silicon, usable from Linux VMs by way of a custom binformat; /usr/libexec/rosetta
221
ODR
On-Demand Resources; loaded from App Store; launchd service: com.apple.appstored
222
Onboarding
data protection splash screen shown by service-connected apps; /System/Library/OnBoardingBundles; OnBoardingKit.framework
223
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
224
OpenBSM
Open Basic Security Module; deprecated security audit subsystem; /etc/security, /var/audit; launchd service: com.apple.auditd; command line tool: audit
225
Opus
create slide shows from photos; Slideshows.framework
226
OSA
Open Scripting Architecture; scripting of applications from different fontend languages (currently AppleScript and JavaScript); backed by Apple Events; command line tools: osacompile, osadecompile, osalang, osascript, sdef, sdp
227
OTUT
One-Time Unlock Token; security mechanism to allow keybag unwrapping after updates
229
Packages
unit of software installation; command line tools: pkgutil, installer, softwareupdate; launchd services: com.apple.softwareupdated, com.apple.bootinstalld, com.apple.installd, com.apple.system_installd, com.apple.uninstalld; /var/db/softwareupdate, /Library/Apple/System/Library/Receipts (system), /System/Library/Receipts (read-only), /private/var/db/receipts (App Store)
230
Packet Filter
network traffic filtering subsystem from OpenBSD; command line tool: pfctl
231
Parsec
Spotlight web results and searching of crowdsourced User Activity deep links; server: *.smoot.apple.com; launchd services: com.apple.parsecd, com.apple.parsec-fbf (Feedback Flush to Differential Privacy)
232
Party Studio
Karaoke mode on tvOS, where video from a paired phone is shown with effects; /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/PartyStudio.*
233
Passkey
keypair used for authentication instead of password, synced via SOS, implements WebAuthn standard; keys can be used to login on separate device via QR code and Bluetooth proximity proof; AuthenticationServices.framework
234
Password Breach
monitoring of Keychain passwords against a breach database; round-robin matching in fixed-size batches, local match against common leaks, remote match using hash prefix; launchd service: com.apple.Safari.passwordbreachd
235
Pasteboard
storage for cut, copy, and paste; type of content remembered as UTI; launchd service: com.apple.pboard; command line tools: pbcopy, pbpaste
236
PCSPAT
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: pcsstatusPrivate Access Tokens; blind challenge-response authentication; Apple server attests user validity to token issuer, issuer performs blind signature, websites receiving the token cannot identify user; used for Private Relay, can replace CAPTCHAs
237
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, GroupKit, Manatee; ProtectedCloudStorage.framework; /System/Library/Preferences/ProtectedCloudStorage; command line tool: pcsstatus
238
PCSC
Personal Computer Smart Card; PCSC.framework, uses CTK
239
PDE
Print Dialog Extension; old name, not a proper Extension
240
PEC/PIR
Private Encrypted Compute and Private Information Retrieval; used for parental controls for media and web; CipherML.framework; launchd service: com.apple.ciphermld
241
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
242
People
contacts with Apple ID accounts within Group Activities and Shared With You
243
Pepper
UI elements for Watch home screen and Chat, like Quickboard (canned replies), Animoji; PepperUICore.framework
244
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
245
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
246
Piano Mover
Mail Drop; bulk mail attachments transfered over PCS; not to be confused with storage for iMessage attachments, which uses a CloudKit container
247
Plugin
Extensions, XPC services bundled with apps or frameworks, discovery by Launch Services; launchd service: com.apple.pluginkit.pkd; command line tool: pluginkit
battery management like smart charge and power save, learns from Duet and other data; PowerUI.framework; /var/db/PowerUI; launchd service: com.apple.PowerUIAgent
252
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
253
Private RelayPreview Shell
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 signaturesskeleton for on-device UI previews during development; /System/Library/CoreServices/PreviewShell.app; PreviewShellKit.framework, XOJIT.framework (code live patching)
254
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 PAT
255
Proactive
umbrella term for suggestions and completions based on Duet forecasting and User Activity context, also marketed as Siri features; PersonalizationPortrait.framework
256
Provenance
per-file origin tracking, extended attribute com.apple.provenance stores ID into /var/db/SystemPolicyConfiguration/ExecPolicy
257
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?
258
Quagga
framework for QR and barcode decoding; Quagga.framework
259
Quick Action
extension type for quick interaction with foreign content within a host app; extension points: com.apple.services, com.apple.ui-services
269
RTC
Real-time Telemetry and Crash reporting; RTCReporting.framework; launchd service: com.apple.rtcreportingd
270
RTKit
operating system used on Apple Silicon for firmware of co-processors
271
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
272
Safety Monitor
Check In; short-term location sharing in iMessage until a destination is reached; /Applications/SafetyMonitorApp.app
273
SBPL
Sandbox Profile Language; a TinyScheme-based embedded DSL for Seatbelt profiles
274
SCIP
System Coprocessor Integrity Protection; like KIP, but for SEP, ISP, Motion coprocessor
275
Screen Reader
VoiceOver and Braille; /System/Library/ScreenReader; ScreenReader.framework
282
Sequoia
translation; downloadable language models can run on-device; /Applications/SequoiaTranslator.app, Translation.framework
283
Seymour
Apple Fitness+; workout videos integrated with Watch sensors; SeymourCore.framework
284
SF Symbols
scalable UI symbols; rendered with various color treatments; SFSymbols.framework
285
Shared File List
lists of recently opened files from apps that are stored with Launch Services; command line tool: sfltool; also manages login items and app-installed background daemons
286
Shared With You
collaboration features between apps and iMessage; content shared via iMessage is surfaced in apps (Swift Transferable protocol), content in apps can be collaboratively edited and connected to an iMessage group; collaborations are expressed by keys derived from participant device keys, padded with a number of random keys to prevent tracking of device count, a merkle tree of those keys is used to prove inclusion of a specific device to an app; SharedWithYou.framework
287
Sharing
umbrella term for wireless proximity services: AirDrop, Continuity, Instant Hotspot, WiFi sharing; used by loginwindow for Watch unlock; Sharing.framework; launchd service: com.apple.sharingd; also serves connection sharing and remote disk
Secure Remote Password; standard cryptographic protocol for proving knowledge of a secret such that attackers cannot brute-force the secret; AppleSRP.framework
307
SSO
Single Sign-On
308
SSV
Signed System Volume, als called Authenticated Root Volume (ARV); macOS boots from blessed read-only APFS snapshot, merkle-tree and root-hash stored in Preboot volume; modifications require disabling root authentication with csrutil from recovery, then the live filesystem can be mounted, modified, and re-blessed; command line tools: apfs_systemsnapshot, bless, csrutil
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
311
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
312
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
314
Symptoms
network diagnostics; Symptoms.framework; /var/networkd/db/netusage.sqlite; launchd service: com.apple.symptomsd (invoked by kernel through host special port 27)
315
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
316
System Configuration
SystemConfiguration.framework; launchd service: com.apple.configd; command line tool: scutil
317
System Extension
user-level components formerly in the kernel; currently either a DriverKit, Network, or Endpoint Security extension; /System/DriverKit, /System/Library/DriverExtensions; command line tool: systemextensionsctl; launchd services: com.apple.sysextd, com.apple.nesessionmanager, com.apple.endpointsecurity.endpointsecurityd; command line tool: esloggersystem-wide components formerly implemented as insecure plugins or kexts; current extension types: DriverKit, FSKit, Network, Endpoint Security, Core Media IO; /System/DriverKit, /System/Library/DriverExtensions; command line tool: systemextensionsctl; launchd services: com.apple.sysextd, com.apple.nesessionmanager, com.apple.endpointsecurity.endpointsecurityd; command line tool: eslogger
318
System Policy
Gatekeeper; policy engine for application launches and kext loading, malware signatures from /Library/Apple/System/Library/CoreServices/XProtect.bundle; /var/db/SystemPolicy; launchd service: com.apple.security.syspolicy (invoked by kernel through host special port 29); command line tool: spctl
319
Tailspin
sampling of process stack traces; launchd service: com.apple.tailspind; command line tool: tailspin
320
TAL
Transparent App Lifecycle; process for macOS apps started and stopped independently of the user launching and quitting app; also handles session restore across reboots; ~/Library/Saved Application State; launchd service: com.apple.talagent
321
Taskport
Mach kernel concept for ptrace-like access to task internals; access policy implemented by daemon; launchd service: com.apple.taskgated (invoked by kernel through task special port 9); command line tool: DevToolsSecurity
322
TCC
Transparency, Consent, and Control; user control over app access to privacy-related services (kTCCService*); TCC.framework; launchd services: com.apple.tccd, com.apple.tccd.system; command line tool: tccutil; stored in /Library/Application Support/com.apple.TCC, ~/Library/Application Support/com.apple.TCC, /var/db/locationd (for kTCCServiceLocation)
323
Template App
code-less app-bundle, passed to an actual executable by LauncServices; created when adding websites in Safari to Dock/Springboard; run by /System/Volumes/Preboot/Cryptexes/App/System/Library/CoreServices/Web App.app
324
Time Machine
automatic backup service, command line tools: tmdiagnose, tmutil
325
Tin Can
Walkie Talkie on watchOSWalkie Talkie on watchOS; /Applications/TinCan.app
326
Tones
ringtones; ToneLibrary.framework
327
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)
328
Transparency
key transparency for ESS keys? Transparency.framework; launchd service: com.apple.transparencyd; server: init-kt.apple.comkey transparency for ESS keys, based on CONIKS, devices audit IDS records against transparency logs, log hashes gossiped over iMessage to detect split-view attacks; Transparency.framework; launchd service: com.apple.transparencyd; server: init-kt.apple.com
329
TSS
Tatsu Signing Server; online verification for firmware signatures; server: gs.apple.com
330
TTS
Text To Speech, neural-network-based synthesis engine (Gryphon); command line tool: say; /System/Library/Speech, /System/Library/TTSPlugins
331
TVML
TV Markup Language; declarative UI language for TV apps; TVMLKit.framework
337
User Notifications
user interface for notification center; launchd service: com.apple.usernoted
338
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
339
VA
Video Acceleration; AppleGVA.framework, AppleVA.framework, AppleVPA.framework
340
VDAF
Verifiable Distributed Aggregation Function; part of Differential Privacy; VDAF.framework
341
Viceroy
video conferencing used by FaceTime and ReplayKit; ViceroyTrace.framework
342
Virtualisation
running virtual machines on macOS; Hypervisor.framework (for basic VMs and vCPUs), Virtualization.framework (brings a robust set of device models)
343
VSDB
volume status database; /var/db/volinfo.database; command line tool: vsdbutil
344
Waldo
selects edge servers based on approximate location, part of Private Relay, seen in NSP
345
WFS
WebDAV File Sharing; built-in file sharing with Apache; /etc/wfs; command line tool: wfsctl
346
Widgets
content excerpt from apps; provided via a timeline of view hierarchies, configuration uses Intents; visible on home screen, lock screen, as live activities, as watch complications; WidgetKit.framework; extension point: com.apple.widgetkit-extensioncontent excerpt from apps; provided via a timeline of view hierarchies, configuration uses Intents; visible on home screen, lock screen, as live activities, as watch complications; WidgetKit.framework; extension point: com.apple.widgetkit-extension; launchd service: com.apple.chronod (timeline management and sync)
347
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
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
350
xART
eXtended Anti-Replay Technology; persistent storage for SEP, used by Mesa; /System/Volumes/xarts; launchd service: com.apple.xartstorageremoted; command line tool: xartutil
351
XCS
Xcode Server; continuous integration server; command line tools: xcscontrol, xcsdiagnose
352
XProtect
signature-based malware scanner and remediation service; /Library/Apple/System/Library/CoreServices/XProtect.bundle
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