--- title: "zoom.us: why Zoom uses so much data on a Mac, and whether to block it · Kilobat" url: "https://kilobat.app/processes/zoom" description: "zoom.us is the Zoom desktop app. Why meetings use so much data, which ports Zoom needs, how its automatic updates work, and what breaks if you block it." --- Apps and helpers # What is zoom.us? `zoom.us` is the Zoom desktop app. Its traffic is mostly meeting audio and video. Zoom lists the domains and ports that its apps need, and the app can update itself. Process: `zoom.us` · Also seen as: `Zoom` · Made by Zoom Communications · Applies to: The Zoom desktop app on macOS 14 Sonoma and later. Checked on 1 November 2026 against Zoom's documentation. · Checked: 1 November 2026 ## Short answer The Zoom desktop app. During meetings it sends and receives audio and video; Zoom also updates itself if automatic updates are on. Block with care Blocking it stops Zoom meetings on this Mac. To save data, turn off video in meetings instead. Path `/Applications/zoom.us.app/Contents/MacOS/zoom.us` Signing identifier `us.zoom.xos` ## What it is Zoom's firewall article lists `*.zoom.us` and `*.zoom.com` on TCP 80 and 443, and on UDP 443, for all Zoom clients. For meetings and webinars, Zoom lists TCP 443, 8801 and 8802, and UDP 3478, 3479 and 8801 to 8810. Zoom says that the client also needs some URLs on port 80 for certificate validation, and that it detects your proxy settings on its own. Zoom's blog says that with “Automatically keep my Zoom up to date” on, the app offers updates when you aren't in a meeting. ## Why it uses the network - **Meeting audio and video.** In a call, the app sends your camera and microphone and receives everyone else's. - **Screen sharing.** Sharing your screen sends it to the meeting for as long as you share. - **Updates.** Zoom says that the Slow channel, the default, updates less often. Critical security updates go to everyone. ## How much is normal A lot of traffic during a meeting is normal. Video uses far more than audio. Outside meetings, its traffic should be small. Zoom says that automatic updates are on by default for most individual users. ## When it uses a lot, and why - **Video meetings.** Every minute with cameras on sends and receives video. Gallery view with many cameras receives more. - **Screen sharing.** Sharing a screen with moving content sends a video stream. - **An update.** A new version downloads in full. Zoom says that it offers the update when you aren't in a meeting. ## Is it safe to block? Block with care Blocking it stops Zoom meetings on this Mac. To save data, turn off video in meetings instead. What breaks if you block it - You can't join or host Zoom meetings in the desktop app. - Zoom Chat and other Zoom features in the app stop. - Updates to the app can't download. 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. Turn off your camera when you don't need it. Video uses most of the data. 2. Use Speaker view instead of Gallery view with many cameras on. 3. To control updates, open Zoom › Settings › General. Change “Automatically keep my Zoom up to date”, or pick the Slow channel. 4. On a company network, ask the administrator to allow the ports and domains that Zoom lists. ## See how much it uses 1. Open Activity Monitor from Applications › Utilities. Click Network. 2. Type `zoom.us` in the search field. The Sent Bytes and Rcvd Bytes columns show what it moved since it started. 3. In Terminal, watch only this process. Press d to show the change per second, and q to quit. ``` nettop -p 'zoom.us' -P ``` ## With Kilobat 1. Kilobat can recognise Zoom calls and write a report afterwards, showing freezes and possible contributing factors. 2. Call mode holds sync and download apps while the call runs. 3. Ask the same question in Terminal. ``` kilobat explain zoom.us ``` 4. Read the last call reports. ``` kilobat calls ``` 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](https://kilobat.app/docs/blocking#filtering), [Protection](https://kilobat.app/docs/blocking#protection) and the [hotspot data saver](https://kilobat.app/save-hotspot-data). ## 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. - [*.zoom.us](https://kilobat.app/hosts/zoom-us): Zoom's domains for all Zoom clients, over TCP 80 and 443 and UDP 443. ## Questions **Why does Zoom need UDP?** Zoom lists UDP ports for meetings. Kilobat's call reports show freezes and possible contributing factors; they do not prove the cause. **Can I stop Zoom updating itself?** Zoom's blog says that you can turn off automatic updates in Settings › General. Enterprise installs may manage it. ## Sources - [Zoom Support: Zoom network firewall or proxy server settings](https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0060548) - [Zoom Blog: New! Get automatic updates in the Zoom client](https://www.zoom.com/en/blog/get-automatic-updates-in-the-zoom-client/) - [Kilobat docs: Call reports](https://kilobat.app/docs/calls#calls) Checked on 1 November 2026. ## Related - [Electron Helper](https://kilobat.app/processes/electron-helpers): Part of an app built on Electron. Electron apps run their windows and their network work in helper processes, so the app's traffic shows under “App Helper”. - [Video calls stutter or freeze on a Mac](https://kilobat.app/guides/video-call-stutter-mac)