What is fairplayd?

fairplayd is a process you might spot in Activity Monitor when using iTunes, Apple Music, or Apple TV.

What is fairplayd?

fairplayd runs Apple's FairPlay copy protection system. FairPlay is the technology Apple uses to protect content you buy or stream: music, films, TV shows, apps, and books from Apple's stores.

What does it do?

fairplayd handles:

• Unlocking protected content for playback
• Checking that your Mac is allowed to play purchased content
• Managing which devices are linked to your Apple account for media purchases
• Protecting AirPlay streams with HDCP

When you play a film from the Apple TV app or stream a song from Apple Music, fairplayd checks the licence.

Why does it connect to Apple servers?

fairplayd sometimes contacts Apple to check licences and whether your device is still allowed to play the content. This is part of the copy protection system.

Does it use many resources?

No. It is lightweight and only wakes up when protected content is being played.

Can you turn it off?

You should not. Without it, you cannot play any protected content from Apple. Films, TV shows, Apple Music, and protected apps would stop working.

Should you worry?

No. It is a normal Apple process for content protection. If you buy or stream from Apple, fairplayd is needed for playback.

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