Core networking

What is configd?

configd keeps the network configuration of the Mac. It gets IP addresses with DHCP, so it sends small amounts of traffic to the router. It also reacts when a link goes up or down.

Process: configdMade by AppleApplies to: macOS 14 Sonoma and later. Checked on macOS 27.2.Checked: 1 November 2026

Short answer

Part of macOS. It keeps the Mac's network configuration and gets its IP addresses with DHCP, so it sends small amounts of traffic to the router.

Don’t block

Don't block it. Without DHCP, the Mac can't get an address on most networks, and then nothing connects.

Path
/usr/libexec/configd
launchd label
com.apple.configd
Signing identifier
com.apple.configd

What it is

The man page says that configd “is responsible for many configuration aspects of the local system”. Most of its agents set up the network.

The man page says that its IPConfiguration agent sets up IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. They are manual, or they come from DHCP, DHCPv6 or router advertisements.

The program is /usr/libexec/configd. launchd starts it for the system as com.apple.configd. The ipconfig command talks to the same agent.

Why it uses the network

  • DHCP. It asks the router for an address, and it renews the lease before it runs out.
  • IPv6 addresses. It listens for router advertisements and asks for DHCPv6 information when the network offers it.
  • Network changes. When a link goes up or down, its agents update the configuration.

How much is normal

DHCP and router messages are tiny, a few packets at a time.

A large amount of data under configd isn't usual. Then examine what else runs.

Its traffic goes to your router and the local network, not to servers on the internet.

When it uses a lot, and why

  • A network that drops. Each time Wi-Fi reconnects, it asks for an address again. A flaky link makes it ask often.
  • Short DHCP leases. A router that gives short leases makes it renew more often. Each renewal is still small.

Is it safe to block?

Don’t block

Don't block it. Without DHCP, the Mac can't get an address on most networks, and then nothing connects.

What breaks if you block it

  • The Mac can't get or renew its IP address on networks that use DHCP.
  • IPv6 configuration from router advertisements and DHCPv6 stops.
  • Network changes, such as joining a new Wi-Fi network, may not apply.

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

  1. There is nothing to reduce. Its traffic is the minimum that a network connection needs.

  2. If the Mac renews its address too often, examine the network. See Renew the DHCP lease on a Mac.

  3. If the Mac gets a 169.254 address, the DHCP server didn't answer. See Mac has a self-assigned IP address.

  4. Don't quit configd in Activity Monitor. Network configuration stops until macOS starts it again.

See how much it uses

  1. In Terminal, show the DHCP packet that the Mac got on Wi-Fi.

    ipconfig getpacket en0

  2. Open Activity Monitor from Applications › Utilities. Click Network, then search for configd.

With Kilobat

  1. In the Kilobat app list, search for configd. Its row shows the live rate and what it moved today.

  2. In Connections, click the ⓘ button on one of its rows. The popover shows this page’s short answer, without going online.

  3. In Terminal, ask the same question. Add --json for scripts and agents.

    kilobat explain 'configd'

  4. Show its traffic over one day.

    kilobat bandwidth 'configd' day

  5. 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.

Questions

Is configd part of macOS?

Yes. It is /usr/libexec/configd, signed by Apple, with a man page.

Why does configd ask for incoming connections?

DHCP replies come back to the Mac from the router. That's how the Mac learns its address.

Sources

Checked on 1 November 2026.