---
title: "configd on Mac: the System Configuration daemon and DHCP · Kilobat Guides"
url: "https://kilobat.app/guides/what-is-configd.html"
description: "configd is the macOS System Configuration daemon. It keeps the network setup, including DHCP addresses. Learn why it shows small network traffic."
---

macOS processes

# What is configd on Mac?

`configd` keeps the network configuration of the Mac. It gets IP addresses with DHCP, so it sends small amounts of traffic to the router.

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

## Where you see it

- `configd` is in the list in Activity Monitor › Network, in `nettop` or in Kilobat.
- A firewall or network monitor asks if `configd` can connect.
- Small traffic appears when the Mac joins a network or wakes from sleep.

## What it is

The man page says that configd “is responsible for many configuration aspects of the local system”. Most of its agents set up the network.

The man page says that its IPConfiguration agent sets up IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. They are manual, or they come from DHCP, DHCPv6 or router advertisements.

## Why it uses the network

- **DHCP.** It asks the router for an address, and it renews the lease.
- **Network changes.** When a link goes up or down, its agents update the configuration.

## Is it normal?

Yes. DHCP traffic is small. A large amount of data under configd is not usual. Then examine what else runs.

## See how much it uses

1. Open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities. Click Network.
2. Type `configd` 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 configd -P
   ```
4. Show the DHCP answer that the Mac accepted. Use the device name of the service, for example en0.

   ```
   ipconfig getpacket en0
   ```

## Reduce or pause it safely

1. There is nothing to reduce. Its traffic is the minimum that a network connection needs.
2. If the Mac renews its address too often, examine the network. See [Renew the DHCP lease on a Mac](https://kilobat.app/guides/renew-dhcp-lease-mac.html).
3. Do not quit `configd` in Activity Monitor. It is part of macOS, and other features depend on it. It keeps the network configuration.

## With Kilobat

1. Open the Kilobat app list and search for `configd`. 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 configd day
   ```
4. Through MCP, an AI agent gets the same history with `get_app_bandwidth` and the name `configd`.
5. The live view is free. History in the app needs Pro. Kilobat records history only while the app runs.

## Questions

**Is configd part of macOS?**

Yes. It is `/usr/libexec/configd`, with a man page.

## Sources

- configd(8) and ipconfig(8), man page installed with macOS 27.2
- [Apple Support: Renew your IP address from the DHCP server on Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/mchlp1545/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

- [Renew the DHCP lease on a Mac](https://kilobat.app/guides/renew-dhcp-lease-mac.html): A DHCP lease gives the Mac its IP address, router and DNS servers.
- [Mac has a self-assigned IP address](https://kilobat.app/guides/self-assigned-ip-address.html): If the Mac gets no answer from a DHCP server, it gives itself a link-local address from 169.254.0.0/16.
- [See Mac network settings in Terminal](https://kilobat.app/guides/network-settings-terminal.html): macOS includes command-line tools that show the same network settings as System Settings, and more.