What is syspolicyd on Mac?
By Junaid, maker of Taskglass · Last reviewed
Gatekeeper's engine: checks new apps and software before macOS lets them run.
syspolicyd enforces macOS's system policy for what may be installed or run. It's the engine behind Gatekeeper, which checks that apps come from identified developers and have been notarized by Apple, and it may check online with Apple when you first open something. It's busiest when new or changed software runs for the first time.
- Category
- Security
- Made by
- Apple
- Safe to quit:
- With care
Shown in Activity Monitor as syspolicyd
Why is syspolicyd using so much CPU or memory?
- Opening newly downloaded or updated apps
- Installing large apps or many command-line tools at once
- Software builds that create many new programs
- A slow connection while it checks with Apple
What to do
- 1Wait; first-launch checks finish on their own
- 2Let installers and updates complete before opening the new apps
- 3Restart your Mac if it stays high
- 4Keep Gatekeeper on; it protects you from malware
Safe to quit? With care.
macOS relaunches it; new apps may fail to open until it's back.
Related processes
- XProtect (XprotectService)macOS's built-in anti-malware: scans apps for known malware and removes infections.
- amfidChecks code signatures to make sure programs haven't been tampered with before they run.
- CoreServicesUIAgentShows system dialogs, such as the warning before opening an app downloaded from the internet.
Part of the Taskglass Process Library