---
title: "sharingd on Mac: AirDrop, Handoff and Instant Hotspot · Kilobat Guides"
url: "https://kilobat.app/guides/what-is-sharingd.html"
description: "sharingd runs AirDrop, Handoff, Instant Hotspot and shared computers in the Finder. Learn why it uses the network and which settings control it."
---

macOS processes

# What is sharingd on Mac?

`sharingd` runs AirDrop, Handoff, Instant Hotspot and the shared computers in the Finder. AirDrop transfers can show under it.

Process: `sharingd` · 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

- `sharingd` is in the list in Activity Monitor › Network, in `nettop` or in Kilobat.
- A firewall or network monitor asks if `sharingd` can connect.
- Traffic appears when you use AirDrop.

## What it is

The man page says that the Finder uses sharingd for AirDrop, Handoff, Instant Hotspot discovery, shared computers and Remote Disc.

It first appeared in Mac OS X 10.9. The program is `/usr/libexec/sharingd`.

## Why it uses the network

- **AirDrop.** AirDrop sends files directly between devices, over a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi link.
- **Discovery.** It finds nearby devices for AirDrop, Handoff and Instant Hotspot.
- **Shared computers.** The Finder sidebar lists other computers on the network.

## Is it normal?

Yes. Traffic during an AirDrop transfer is usual. It does not use your internet connection.

## See how much it uses

1. Open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities. Click Network.
2. Type `sharingd` 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 sharingd -P
   ```
4. To see only peer-to-peer Wi-Fi traffic, select the AWDL interface.

   ```
   nettop -t awdl -P
   ```

## Reduce or pause it safely

1. Open Control Center and click AirDrop. Choose Contacts Only, or turn AirDrop off.
2. For the other settings, choose Apple menu > System Settings > General > AirDrop & Continuity.
3. If AirDrop causes latency spikes in calls or games, read [AirDrop, AWDL and latency spikes in games and calls](https://kilobat.app/guides/awdl-airdrop-latency-spikes.html).
4. Do not quit `sharingd` 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 `sharingd`. Its row shows the live rate and the bytes it moved.
2. Show the AirDrop visibility, the AirDrop link and what uses it.

   ```
   kilobat airdrop
   ```
3. Kilobat shows AirDrop traffic apart and does not count it as Internet data.
4. In Terminal, see the same live list. Press / and type the name to search.

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

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

## Questions

**Does AirDrop use my internet data?**

No. AirDrop sends files directly between the devices. Kilobat shows it apart from Internet traffic.

## Sources

- sharingd(8), man page installed with macOS 27.2
- [Apple Support: Change AirDrop & Continuity settings on Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/mchl6a407f99/mac)
- [Apple Support: Hand off tasks between Apple devices](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/hand-off-tasks-between-devices-mchl732d3c0a/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 rapportd on Mac?](https://kilobat.app/guides/what-is-rapportd.html): rapportd lets your Mac talk to your other Apple devices.
- [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.
- [iPhone hotspot does not show on the Mac](https://kilobat.app/guides/instant-hotspot-not-showing.html): Instant Hotspot lets a Mac join your iPhone or iPad hotspot without a password.
- [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.