What is uucp?

uucp is one of the oldest Unix tools on your Mac.

What is uucp?

uucp stands for "Unix-to-Unix Copy". It is a file transfer and remote command system from the 1970s, built before the internet existed. In the early days of Unix, computers talked to each other over dial-up modem connections, and uucp moved files and email between them.

Is it still used?

No. The internet, email, SSH, and every other modern network tool has replaced it. macOS includes it as part of its Unix roots, but no modern macOS feature uses it.

Why is it still on my Mac?

macOS aims for Unix standards and includes many old Unix tools for the sake of completeness. uucp is part of that. It does not run by default and uses no resources.

Should you worry?

No. It is a leftover from early Unix. You will almost certainly never need it.

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