Launch Daemons
Launch Daemons is the macOS folder that stores third-party system daemon property lists used by launchd to start background services for the whole Mac.
What is Launch Daemons?
Launch Daemons refers to the folder at /Library/LaunchDaemons on macOS. This directory contains property list files used by launchd, the system service manager, to start third-party background services that run at the system level for all users. Software such as security tools, device utilities, network services, backup helpers, and enterprise management products can install items here when they need work to continue before login or without a user session. The files in this folder are configuration files rather than the apps themselves, but they can cause executables elsewhere on the Mac to launch automatically. Users most often encounter this folder when checking what starts in the background, troubleshooting persistent helper services, or cleaning up software that added system-wide components.
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Safety overview
Status: Use with caution
Items in /Library/LaunchDaemons can start background services automatically as root or in the system context, so changes here can affect networking, security software, backup tools, hardware support, and other shared services. This folder is intended for third-party system daemons, while Apple-supplied system daemons belong in /System/Library/LaunchDaemons. A launch daemon plist may remain after an app is removed, but deleting the wrong one can break login-related helpers, device drivers, VPNs, update services, or management tools. Check the plist name, the Program or ProgramArguments target, and whether the related app is still installed before removing anything.
Recommendation: Keep entries that belong to software you still use or to device, security, backup, or management tools that your Mac depends on. If a daemon belongs to an app you already uninstalled, first unload or disable it carefully, then remove the plist only after confirming the referenced executable is no longer needed. If you do not recognize an item, inspect its label and executable path before making changes, because removing an active launch daemon can stop important background functions at startup.
File path
/Library/LaunchDaemons
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