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June 11th, 2025

My Mac Contacted 63 Different Apple Owned Domains in One Hour - While Not is Use

During a one hour period today, my computer contacted 63 different Apple domains while i was not logged on and using it.

I have been trying to minimize to the extent possible the reach of big tech into my life. A full 25% of the DNS queries from one of my computers (M2 MBA with macOS 15.4) are to Apple owned domains - even though my DNS provider (NextDNS) blocks Apple's native telemetry. Additionally, since I do not use Apple for my mail, contacts, calendars, podcasts or news, I already have the routes to those Apple services blacklisted.

MBA Report


Interestingly, my 2019 Intel MBP with the same DNS settings has less than 3% of it's DNS queries hitting Apple domains.

MBP Report

Here are the domains Apple contacted during one 60-Minute Period When I Was Not Using My Computer

One Hour - 63 Apple Domains

  • 1-courier.push.apple.com - Apple Push Notification Service
  • 1-courier.sandbox.push.apple.com - Apple Push Notification Service
  • api.apple-cloudkit.com - CloudKit, Apple's backend service for developers to store and sync app data
  • api.apple-cloudkit.fe2.apple-dns.net - DNS/gateway services for Apple's infrastructure
  • app-site-association.cdn-apple.com - Used for Universal Links
  • apple-relay.cloudflare.com
  • apple.com - Core Apple websites
  • bag.itunes.apple.com - iTunes/App Store purchase container
  • configuration.apple.com - for fetching various system configurations, including location services
  • configuration.ls.apple.com - for fetching various system configurations, including location services
  • cts.cdn-apple.com - CDN for network content
  • entitlements.itunes.apple.com - Checks your entitlements for apps and content
  • fbs.smoot.apple.com - for crash reports, analytics, or user feedback.
  • fpinit.itunes.apple.com - Initialization for iTunes/App Store services
  • gateway.fe2.apple-dns.net - DNS/gateway services for Apple's infrastructure
  • gdmf.apple.com - Device Management Framework
  • gsa.apple.com - Apple ID (IDMS) and Game Center Services (GSAS)
  • gsa.idms-apple.com.akadns.net - Apple ID (IDMS) and Game Center Services (GSAS)
  • gsas.apple.com - Apple ID (IDMS) and Game Center Services (GSAS)
  • gsas.idms-apple.com.akadns.net - Apple ID (IDMS) and Game Center Services (GSAS)
  • gspe1-ssl.ls.apple.com - related to Location Services (LS) and certificate validation (SSL)
  • gspe35-ssl.ls.apple.com - related to Location Services (LS) and certificate validation (SSL)
  • iadsdk.apple.com - Apple's iAd advertising network SDK
  • init-p01md.apple.com
  • init.ess.apple.com - Apple's Entitlement Services
  • init.itunes.apple.com - Initialization for iTunes/App Store services
  • kt-prod.ess.apple.com - Apple's Entitlement Services
  • lcdn-registration.apple.com - related to Software Update and (CDN) registration
  • musicstatus.itunes.apple.com - For checking the status of Apple Music or iTunes Match
  • ocsp2.apple.com - Online Certificate Status Protocol
  • p44-buy-lb.itunes-apple.com.akadns.net - related to the iTunes Store and App Store purchase
  • p44-buy.itunes.apple.com - related to the iTunes Store and App Store purchase
  • pancake.apple.com - telemetry
  • pd.itunes.apple.com - related to the iTunes Store and App Store purchase
  • proxy.safeBrowse.apple - for Apple's Safari Fraudulent Website Warning (Safe Browse)
  • sandbox.itunes-apple.com.akadns.net - used by developers for testing in-app purchases
  • sandbox.itunes.apple.com - used by developers for testing in-app purchases
  • sas-uw2-pcms.apple.com - related to purchase or content management systems within Apple's retail or media ecosystem.
  • sas.pcms.apple.com - related to purchase or content management systems within Apple's retail or media ecosystem.
  • setup.fe2.apple-dns.net - DNS/gateway services for Apple's infrastructure
  • st11p01su-lcdnreg.isu.apple.com.akadns.net - related to Software Update and (CDN) registration
  • suconfig.apple.com - related to Software Update and (CDN) registration
  • swallow-apple-com.v.aaplimg.com - related to content delivery or image services
  • swallow.apple.com - related to content delivery or image services
  • testflight.apple.com - for TestFlight, Apple's platform for beta testing apps
  • time.apple.com - Network Time Protocol
  • token.safeBrowse.apple - for Apple's Safari Fraudulent Website Warning (Safe Browse)
  • us-ne-courier-4.push-apple.com.akadns.net - Apple Push Notification Service
  • us-sandbox-courier-4.push-apple.com.akadns.net - Apple Push Notification Service
  • use1-wps-prod.apple.com
  • weatherkit.apple.com
  • wps.apple.com
  • www.apple.com - Core Apple websites
  • xp.apple.com - telemetry
  • gateway.icloud.com
  • p177-content.icloud.com
  • edge-062.usatl5.icloud-content.com
  • p104-content.icloud.com
  • setup.icloud.com
  • p150-content.icloud.com
  • p176-content.icloud.com
  • p101-content.icloud.com
  • mask-api.icloud.com

Apple Domains I Already Block

  • apple.news
  • apple.tv
  • podcasts.apple.com
  • siri.apple.com
  • caldav.icloud.com
  • contacts.icloud.com
  • mask.apple-dns.net
  • mask-api.icloud.com
  • doh.dns.apple.com.v.aaplimg.com
  • doh.dns.apple.com
  • apple-relay.cloudflare.com
  • mask-canary.icloud.com
  • mask-h2.icloud.com
  • mask.icloud.com
  • p120-caldav.icloud.com