What is usbpowerd?

usbpowerd manages power to USB devices on your Mac.

What is usbpowerd?

usbpowerd handles power delivery to USB devices connected to your Mac. It works out how much power each device needs and makes sure the total does not go over what your Mac can supply.

What does it manage?

usbpowerd handles:

• USB Power Delivery talks with USB-C devices
• Sharing the power budget across USB ports
• Charging connected devices (iPhones, iPads)
• Watching how much power connected devices draw
• Changing power states when your Mac sleeps or wakes

Why does power need managing?

Your Mac USB ports can only supply so much power. When several devices are connected, especially hungry ones like external drives, phones charging, and bus-powered hubs, usbpowerd makes sure the total draw stays within limits.

On USB-C, power delivery is negotiated. A device asks for a specific voltage and current, and usbpowerd decides whether it can be supplied.

Does it use many resources?

No. Power management is lightweight and responds to events.

Should you worry?

No. It is a normal macOS power management process. If a USB device is not getting enough power (the "USB Accessories Disabled" message), usbpowerd has worked out that the power budget is full.

Enjoyed this post?

Well, you could share the post with others, follow me with RSS Feeds and/or send me a comment via email.

Tags