What is Background agent?
By Junaid, maker of Taskglass · Last reviewed
A background helper that runs in your login session, for macOS or an installed app.
On macOS, an 'agent' is a background process that runs in your user session, as opposed to a daemon, which runs for the whole system. Both Apple and third-party apps use agents, for things like menu bar items, sync, notifications and updates. Check its file path: Apple's agents live in /System or /usr, while app agents usually live inside the app or in a Library folder.
- Category
- macOS system
- Safe to quit:
- With care
Applies to processes whose name ends with "Agent".
Why is Background agent using so much CPU or memory?
- The feature or app it belongs to is busy (syncing, updating, indexing)
- An agent from an app you no longer use, still running
What to do
- 1Check its file path to see what it belongs to
- 2Review System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions for third-party items
- 3Quit and reopen the related app, or restart your Mac
Safe to quit? With care.
Usually safe, but it may relaunch and the related feature may stop working briefly.
Part of the Taskglass Process Library