---
title: "rapportd on Mac: what it is and why it uses the network · Kilobat Guides"
url: "https://kilobat.app/guides/what-is-rapportd.html"
description: "rapportd lets a Mac communicate with your other Apple devices for Handoff and calls. Learn why it connects on the local network and how to control it."
---

macOS processes

# What is rapportd on Mac?

`rapportd` lets your Mac talk to your other Apple devices. Its traffic is mostly on the local network, to your iPhone, iPad or other Macs.

Process: `rapportd` · Applies to: macOS 13 Ventura and later for the System Settings path. Seen on macOS 27.2. · Checked: 29 October 2026

## Where you see it

- `rapportd` is in the list in Activity Monitor › Network, in `nettop` or in Kilobat.
- A firewall or network monitor asks if `rapportd` can connect.
- `rapportd` listens on a TCP port, and a firewall asks about incoming connections.

## What it is

The man page says that rapportd enables “Phone Call Handoff and other communication features between Apple devices”. The program is `/usr/libexec/rapportd`.

On this Mac, `lsof` showed that rapportd listens on a TCP port and connects to another Apple device on the same network.

## Why it uses the network

- **Your other Apple devices.** It connects to devices that use the same Apple Account, on the local network.
- **Continuity features.** Handoff, phone calls and other features between devices use it.

## Is it normal?

Yes. Small amounts of local traffic are usual when you have other Apple devices nearby.

Apple does not document how much data each feature uses.

## See how much it uses

1. Open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities. Click Network.
2. Type `rapportd` 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 rapportd -P
   ```
4. Show its open connections. Local addresses are your devices.

   ```
   lsof -nP -i -a -c rapportd
   ```

## Reduce or pause it safely

1. Choose Apple menu > System Settings > General > AirDrop & Continuity. In older versions, the name is AirDrop & Handoff.
2. Turn off Allow Handoff if you do not use it.
3. Other Continuity features have their own settings. Turn off only the ones that you do not use.
4. Do not quit `rapportd` 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 `rapportd`. Its row shows the live rate and the bytes it moved.
2. See its connections and their addresses. Use the PID from Activity Monitor.

   ```
   kilobat destinations --pid 12345
   ```
3. In Terminal, see the same live list. Press / and type the name to search.

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

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

## Questions

**Should I allow rapportd in my firewall?**

If you use Handoff or calls on the Mac, allow it. It is part of macOS.

**Does rapportd use internet data?**

On this Mac, its connections went to devices on the local network. Apple does not document all its connections.

## Sources

- rapportd(8), man page installed with macOS 27.2
- [Apple Support: Hand off tasks between Apple devices](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/hand-off-tasks-between-devices-mchl732d3c0a/mac)
- lsof(8), man page installed with macOS 27.2
- 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 sharingd on Mac?](https://kilobat.app/guides/what-is-sharingd.html): sharingd runs AirDrop, Handoff, Instant Hotspot and the shared computers in the Finder.
- [AirDrop, AWDL and latency spikes in games and calls](https://kilobat.app/guides/awdl-airdrop-latency-spikes.html): AWDL is the Apple Wireless Direct Link.
- [The macOS firewall blocks incoming connections](https://kilobat.app/guides/macos-firewall-incoming.html): The macOS firewall controls connections that other computers start to your Mac.
- [An app cannot find devices on the local network](https://kilobat.app/guides/local-network-permission.html): macOS 15 Sequoia and later ask before an app connects to devices on your local network.