Updates and downloads

What is AssetCache?

AssetCache is the Content Caching service of macOS. It keeps Apple downloads on this Mac and gives them to other Apple devices on the same network, so they don't download them again.

Process: AssetCacheAlso seen as: AssetCacheManagerServiceMade by AppleApplies to: macOS 14 Sonoma and later. Checked on macOS 27.2.Checked: 1 November 2026

Short answer

Part of macOS. It is Content Caching. It keeps Apple downloads on this Mac and gives them to other Apple devices on the same network.

Safe to block

Safe to block if you don't need it, but it's better to turn Content Caching off in Sharing settings. Other devices then download from Apple directly.

Path: /usr/libexec/AssetCache/AssetCache
launchd label: com.apple.AssetCache.builtin com.apple.AssetCacheManagerService
Signing identifier: com.apple.AssetCache

What it is

The man page says that AssetCache speeds up Apple downloads by caching them on the local network. macOS starts it on its own.

Apple's settings let it cache software updates and apps, iCloud content, or both.

AssetCacheManagerService and the AssetCacheManagerUtil command manage it. Apple Platform Security says: software updates can be cached on a Mac with Content Caching on.

Why it uses the network

Downloads from Apple. It downloads content from Apple the first time a device on the network asks for it.
Uploads to other devices. Other Apple devices on the network then download the content from this Mac. This is local traffic.
Registration with Apple. Apple's list of hosts shows that a caching Mac contacts Apple servers to register and report.

How much is normal

If you turned on Content Caching, large uploads on the local network are its purpose. They don't use your internet connection.

It downloads each item from Apple once. That download is about as large as what the devices on the network ask for.

If you didn't turn it on, a management profile from your organization can turn it on. Ask your administrator.

When it uses a lot, and why

An iOS or macOS release day. Every device on the network asks for the same update, and the first request downloads it.
Many devices on one network. In a school or an office, the local uploads can be very large. That is the purpose of the cache.
iCloud content caching. With iCloud content on, it can also cache content from iCloud for devices on the network.

Is it safe to block?

Safe to block

Safe to block if you don't need it, but it's better to turn Content Caching off in Sharing settings. Other devices then download from Apple directly.

What breaks if you block it

Other Apple devices on the network download updates and apps from Apple instead of from this Mac.
On a capped connection, each device then uses its own internet data for the same update.

Blocking means a firewall rule that refuses its connections. Don’t quit or disable a macOS process to save data: macOS starts it again, and other features depend on it.

Reduce its use

Choose Apple menu › System Settings › General › Sharing.
Click the Info button next to Content Caching. Change the cache options, or turn Content Caching off.
On a hotspot, devices don't need this Mac's cache. Turn it off while you travel.

See how much it uses

Open Activity Monitor from Applications › Utilities. Click Network.
Type AssetCache in the search field. The Sent Bytes and Rcvd Bytes columns show what it moved since it started.
In Terminal, watch only this process. Press d to show the change per second, and q to quit.
```
nettop -p 'AssetCache' -P
```

With Kilobat

In the Kilobat app list, search for AssetCache. Its row shows the live rate and what it moved today.
In Connections, click the ⓘ button on one of its rows. The popover shows this page’s short answer, without going online.
In Terminal, ask the same question. Add --json for scripts and agents.
```
kilobat explain 'AssetCache'
```
Show its traffic over one day.
```
kilobat bandwidth 'AssetCache' day
```
Through MCP, an AI agent asks explain_connection with the process name. It gets the same facts.

The live view and the explanations are free. History in the app needs Kilobat Pro. Blocking needs Pro and the network filter: see the network filter, Protection and the hotspot data saver.

Hosts it contacts

Apple and the maker document these hosts for this feature. A process can also contact others; Kilobat’s Connections tab shows what it actually opens on your Mac.

lcdn-registration.apple.comApple's hosts that a Content Caching Mac uses to register, get its configuration and report.Apple →lcdn-locator.apple.comApple's Content Caching locator, which devices ask to find a caching Mac on their network.Apple →

Questions

Does Content Caching use my internet data?

It downloads each item from Apple once. The uploads to other devices stay on the local network.

Do iPhones still contact Apple when they use the cache?

Yes. Apple Platform Security says that devices still need to contact Apple servers to complete an update.

Sources

AssetCache(8), AssetCacheManagerService(8) and AssetCacheManagerUtil(8), man pages installed with macOS 27.2
Apple Support: Change Content Caching settings on Mac
Apple Platform Security: Secure software updates
Apple Support: Use Apple products on enterprise networks

Checked on 1 November 2026.