What is videodriverkithostextension?

videodriverkithostextension (shown as cmio.videodriverkithostextension) is part of Apple's modern driver system for video devices.

What is videodriverkithostextension?

videodriverkithostextension hosts video drivers built with DriverKit. DriverKit is Apple's modern way of writing hardware drivers that run outside the kernel, in a safer space. This process gives video device drivers a secure place to run.

Why does it exist?

Apple has been moving drivers out of the kernel for safety and stability. A faulty kernel driver can crash your whole Mac (a kernel panic). A driver running outside the kernel through DriverKit can crash and restart without bringing down the rest of the system.

videodriverkithostextension hosts video capture drivers built with this modern approach.

What devices use it?

Video devices whose makers have adopted DriverKit for their macOS drivers use this host process. This is becoming more common as Apple phases out old-style kernel extensions in favour of DriverKit.

Does it run on every Mac?

Only if you have a video device that uses a DriverKit driver. If all your cameras use UVC (handled by uvcassistantextension) or the built-in camera, you may not see this process.

Should you worry?

No. It is part of Apple's modern, safer driver system. It is an improvement over the old kernel extension approach.

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