At times, you may receive the notification that identityservicesd wants to use login keychain or notice this process using 100% of your CPU power. If you're wondering what this process is and whether you should grant it permissions, this post is all you need.
What is identityservicesd on Mac?
identityservicesd (Identity Services Daemon) is a legitimate background process developed by Apple that handles identity-related services on your Mac. It's part of macOS and plays a key role in managing communication between Apple's services and your Apple ID/iCloud account. Here's what it does:
- Manages sign-ins for iMessage & FaceTime activation, iCloud Drive, Photos, Keychain, App Store purchases, etc.
- Syncs your trusted devices (iPhone, iPad, other Macs) linked to your Apple ID.
- Links your Contacts app with iCloud and other accounts.
- Handles verification for Two-factor authentication and End-to-end encrypted services (e.g., iMessage, Health data).
Is identityservicesd safe?
Yes! It's an official Apple component located at: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/IDS.framework/identityservicesd
Share the information about the identityservicesd process on Mac!
identityservicesd wants to use login keychain?
When identityservicesd needs to retrieve or update credentials tied to your Apple ID, it will request access to your login keychain. Some common triggers include first-time sign-in, password changes, system updates, service reactivation, and security events.
When it does, ensure to allow the access. But be wary of prompts that look suspicious. For example, the prompt doesn't have an explicit name or has generic names.
How to fix identityservicesd high CPU usage on Mac?
If identityservicesd is hogging your Mac's CPU, you can fix it with the following methods:
Method 1: Delete the Identityserviced folder
- Open Finder.
- Click Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter ~/Library in the search bar and hit Enter.
- Locate the IdentityServices folder.
- Delete it and empty the Trash.
- Restart your Mac.
Method 2: Update macOS
If identityservicesd keeps using abnormally high CPU, try updating the operating system. Go to System Preferences/Settings, then search for "Software Update." After opening it, check for new updates and install if any exist.
Share this article if it's helpful!