What is launchd on Mac?

launchd is the first process macOS starts, with process ID 1. It starts, stops and restarts every other background service, and it's essential.

Key points

• launchd starts and supervises every background service on the Mac.
• It's rarely busy. If it is, some other service is being started over and over.
• Leave it running: macOS can't run without it.

What launchd does

Every background service and agent, from Spotlight's indexer to apps' update checkers, is started by launchd: at startup, at login, on a schedule, or when something needs it. If a service crashes, launchd starts it again. Apps add their own agents to launchd too, which is how they run in the background.

Why is launchd using so much CPU?

It's rarely busy. If it is, some other service is being started over and over: usually one that crashes as soon as it starts, often from an app you've removed or one that needs an update. Restarting the Mac, or updating or removing the app the service belongs to, usually fixes it.

In one reading of a MacBook Pro (M1 Max, 64 GB) on October 10, 2026, launchd was running, but as a system process it can be measured only with administrator permission, which that reading didn't have.

Can I quit launchd?

Leave it running: macOS needs it. It can't be quit; it's the parent of every other process.

How to check it

1. Open Activity Monitor: press Command-Space, type "Activity Monitor" and press Return.
2. Type launchd in the search field at the top right.
3. Look at % CPU and Memory.

Questions

Is launchd a virus?

No. launchd is part of macOS: it's the first process the Mac starts, and it starts all the others.

Why is launchd using high CPU?

Another service is probably crashing and being restarted again and again. Restart the Mac, and update or remove the app that service belongs to.

Can I quit launchd?

No. It's the process every other process comes from.