Updates and downloads
xp.apple.com
xp.apple.com is an Apple host. Apple lists it in the Software updates section of its host list for every platform, but gives no description.
Short answer
An Apple host that Apple lists in the software update section of its host list, without saying what it does.
Block with care
Apple doesn't say what it does, only that devices need it for software updates. Blocking it may affect updates.
- Matches
xp.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 xp.apple.com in its Software updates section, on port 443, for iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, macOS and visionOS. It supports proxies.
The description column for it is empty. Apple doesn't document what it serves.
A similar name, xp-cdn.apple.com, is listed for Content Caching “Reporting”. That is a different host, and Apple doesn't say they are related.
Processes that use it
What breaks if you block it
Block with care
Apple doesn't say what it does, only that devices need it for software updates. Blocking it may affect updates.
What breaks if you block it
- Not documented. Because Apple lists it for software updates, updates may fail or report incomplete status.
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
Kilobat doesn't guess what an undocumented host does. This page describes only what Apple's list says.
Apple says that its services fail connections that use HTTPS interception.
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
Checked on 1 November 2026.