What is softwareupdated on Mac?
By Junaid, maker of Taskglass · Last reviewed
Checks for, downloads and prepares macOS updates.
softwareupdated is the main daemon for macOS software updates. It checks Apple's servers for updates, downloads them, and prepares them for installation. Preparing a big macOS update can use a lot of CPU and disk for a while, which is normal.
- Category
- Apple service
- Made by
- Apple
- Safe to quit:
- With care
Shown in Activity Monitor as softwareupdated
Why is softwareupdated using so much CPU or memory?
- Downloading or preparing a macOS update
- Background update checks
- A stuck or failed update being retried
What to do
- 1Let the update finish downloading and preparing, with the Mac plugged in
- 2Check System Settings > General > Software Update for status
- 3Restart your Mac if it seems stuck for hours
Safe to quit? With care.
macOS relaunches it; an update in progress may need to restart its preparation.
Related processes
- mobileassetdDownloads extra system resources from Apple, such as fonts, voices and language data.
- nsurlsessiondDoes background downloads and uploads for apps, even after you close them.
- installdInstalls software packages, including App Store apps and macOS components.
- XProtect (XprotectService)macOS's built-in anti-malware: scans apps for known malware and removes infections.
Part of the Taskglass Process Library