---
title: "assistantd on Mac: the Siri daemon and its network use · Kilobat Guides"
url: "https://kilobat.app/guides/what-is-assistantd.html"
description: "assistantd is the Siri daemon on a Mac. Learn why it uses the network when you use Siri, and how to change or turn off Siri in System Settings."
---

macOS processes

# What is assistantd on Mac?

`assistantd` is the Siri daemon. When you use Siri, its traffic can show under assistantd. The Siri settings control it.

Process: `assistantd` · Applies to: All current macOS versions. Seen on macOS 27.2. · Checked: 29 October 2026

## Where you see it

- `assistantd` is in the list in Activity Monitor › Network, in `nettop` or in Kilobat.
- A firewall or network monitor asks if `assistantd` can connect.
- Traffic appears after you ask Siri something.

## What it is

The man page calls it the “Siri Daemon” and says that it enables Siri features. It is in the AssistantServices framework of macOS.

Apple does not document which Siri requests go to its servers and which stay on the Mac.

## Why it uses the network

- **Siri requests.** Some answers need information from the internet, for example weather or web results.

## Is it normal?

Yes, when you use Siri. Apple does not publish how much data Siri uses.

## See how much it uses

1. Open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities. Click Network.
2. Type `assistantd` in the search field. The Sent Bytes and Rcvd Bytes columns show what it moved.
3. In Terminal, watch only this process. Press d to show the change per second, and q to quit.

   ```
   nettop -p assistantd -P
   ```

## Reduce or pause it safely

1. Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Siri.
2. Change how Siri listens, or click Turn Off Siri if you do not use it.
3. Do not quit `assistantd` in Activity Monitor. It is part of macOS, and other features depend on it.

## With Kilobat

1. Open the Kilobat app list and search for `assistantd`. Its row shows the live rate and the bytes it moved.
2. In Terminal, see the same live list. Press / and type the name to search.

   ```
   kilobat status --watch
   ```
3. Show its traffic over one day. Names match `kilobat report --summary`.

   ```
   kilobat bandwidth assistantd day
   ```
4. Through MCP, an AI agent gets the same history with `get_app_bandwidth` and the name `assistantd`.
5. The live view is free. History in the app needs Pro. Kilobat records history only while the app runs.

## Questions

**Does assistantd listen all the time?**

The Siri settings decide how Siri listens. You can turn off voice activation there.

## Sources

- assistantd(8), man page installed with macOS 27.2
- [Apple Support: Siri settings on Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/siri-settings-on-mac-mchl3fd7fc15/mac)
- nettop(1), man page installed with macOS 27.2

Sources checked on 29 October 2026. Man pages are the ones installed with macOS; open one with `man <name>` in Terminal.

## Related guides

- [What is parsecd on Mac?](https://kilobat.app/guides/what-is-parsecd.html): parsecd supports search suggestions in Spotlight, Safari, Siri and Look Up.
- [What is privatecloudcomputed on Mac?](https://kilobat.app/guides/what-is-privatecloudcomputed.html): privatecloudcomputed encrypts and sends some Apple Intelligence requests to Apple's Private Cloud Compute servers.
- [What is mobileassetd on Mac?](https://kilobat.app/guides/what-is-mobileassetd.html): mobileassetd downloads system assets for macOS.