What is findmymac?

findmymac is the process behind one of the most useful security features on macOS.

What is findmymac?

findmymac runs the Find My Mac feature. It lets you find your Mac on a map, play a sound on it, lock it from afar, or wipe it clean. You can do all of this from another Apple device or from iCloud.com.

What does it do?

The process handles:

• Location reporting: sending your Mac's encrypted location to Apple so it shows up in the Find My app
• Remote lock: locking your Mac with a passcode if it goes missing
• Remote erase: wiping your Mac's data from afar to protect your files
• Play sound: playing a loud sound to help you find a misplaced Mac nearby
• Activation Lock: stopping anyone from wiping and setting up your Mac without your Apple ID password

How does it know the location?

findmymac uses several methods:

• Wi-Fi positioning (matching nearby Wi-Fi networks to known locations)
• IP address location
• Bluetooth beacons through the Find My network (via findmybeaconingd)
• Macs do not have GPS, so it relies on these other methods

What is Activation Lock?

Activation Lock ties your Mac to your Apple ID. Even if someone wipes your Mac, they cannot set it up as a new device without your Apple ID password. This makes stolen Macs far less useful to thieves. It turns on by itself when you enable Find My Mac.

Should you worry?

No. You should make sure it is turned on. Find My Mac is one of the best protections against theft. Turn it on in System Settings, then your name, then iCloud, then Find My Mac.

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