Updates and downloads
swscan.apple.com
swscan.apple.com is an Apple host for macOS updates. Apple lists it for macOS only, on port 443. Its name and its place in Apple's list tie it to Software Update.
Short answer
An Apple host for macOS updates, listed in Apple's software update section.
Don’t block
Don't block it. Apple lists it as needed for macOS updates.
- Matches
swscan.apple.com
A name with *. covers every name under it: *.push.apple.com matches 1-courier.push.apple.com.
What it serves
Apple's enterprise host list names swscan.apple.com in its Software updates section, for “macOS updates”, macOS only.
Apple gives the same short description to several hosts, including swcdn.apple.com, swdist.apple.com and swdownload.apple.com. It doesn't say what each one does.
On a Mac, softwareupdated handles macOS updates, so its connections to this host belong to Software Update.
Processes that use it
What breaks if you block it
Don’t block
Don't block it. Apple lists it as needed for macOS updates.
What breaks if you block it
- Software Update may fail to check for or install macOS updates.
With Kilobat Pro and the network filter, you can block a host for every app or for one app: in Connections, select a connection and choose Block. Apple’s own services are never blocked by Kilobat’s Protection lists.
Notes
Apple says that its services fail any connection that uses HTTPS interception. A proxy that inspects TLS breaks Software Update too.
To save data on a hotspot, turn off “Download new updates when available” instead of blocking update hosts.
Apple’s rules for its hosts
Apple’s list, Use Apple products on enterprise networks, says that devices open these connections, not Apple’s servers. Apple services fail any connection that uses HTTPS interception, so a proxy that inspects TLS should leave Apple’s hosts alone.
If a firewall allows hosts by name, allowing *.apple.com covers most Apple services, Apple says. A firewall that works only with addresses can allow 17.0.0.0/8 for IPv4, and 2403:300::/32, 2620:149::/32 and 2a01:b740::/32 for IPv6.
To see which app on your Mac opened a connection to this host, use Kilobat’s Connections tab, or the agent network log for AI agents.
Sources
- Apple Support: Use Apple products on enterprise networks
- Apple Support: Software Update settings on Mac
Checked on 1 November 2026.