Note: It is STRONGLY recommended that you make a backup of all the files being modified in this tutorial. These are system files, and removing the wrong one could potentially result in a restore if backups are not made.
It is also recommended that you have MobileFinder or iFile installed, in case you need to restore your backups but are unable to SSH into your device for some reason. I am not responsible for any damage caused to your device by this tutorial. Follow this tutorial at your own risk. Not all results will be the same for all users.
If this tutorial does not specifically mention that a certain daemon is safe to remove, leave it alone. Better safe than sorry.
Here's how Wikipedia explains daemons - In Unix and other computer multitasking operating systems, a daemon is a computer program that runs in the background, rather than under the direct control of a user; they are usually initiated as background processes.
So what does this mean? This means that when your iPhone or iPod is turned on, it loads a bunch of background processes (over 60!) that allow it to do various things, like connect to the Internet and receive calls. Since these processes are in the background, they take up a sizable amount of your device's available RAM, and because they're system processes, they can't be killed with SBSettings or MemTool. The good news is that some of these daemons are completely unnecessary (for most people), and you can simply delete them and regain the RAM they were taking up.
First, SSH into your device and navigate to /System/Library. Find the LaunchDaemons folder and download the entire thing to your desktop. Rename the original to something like "LaunchDaemons.old" or "LaunchDaemons.original" so that you have an easily retrievable backup if something should go wrong. (It is HIGHLY recommended that you make this backup.) Make any changes you want to the copy on your desktop and then simply reupload to your device when you're done. Be sure that the copy doesn't overwrite the original, and also be sure that the permissions of the LaunchDaemons folder are set to 755. Failure to ensure correct permissions will result in your device freezing at the Apple logo. Once the copy is reuploaded, reboot your device and notice your newfound speed.
To disable a daemon, simply delete the corresponding .plist file.
Warning! Before going any further please read this thoroughly.
These files are serious system files.
Make sure you read each description well.
Do not remove them when you are not sure what you are doing.
Listed below are the lists, with Safe Daemons, Conditional Daemons, Device Specific Daemons,Unknown Daemons. Don’t touch This Daemons and Jailbreak Daemons.
Safe Daemons: These can be deleted by any user, with no adverse effects on the device.
- com.apple.DumpPanic.plist – Dumps crashes for evaluation by Apple.
- com.apple.ReportCrash.(Different Things).plist – There are 6 of these daemons, and they collect data about what caused a crash, what programs were running at the time etc.
- com.apple.DumpBasebandCrash.plist – Dumps baseband crashes which shouldn’t happen during normal use. iPod touch’s and iPads without 3G don’t have a baseband.
- com.apple.CrashHouseKeeping.plist – Also deals with crashes.
- com.apple.aslmanager.plist – This daemon manages system logs.
- com.apple.syslogd.plist – Logs system events.
- com.apple.powerlog.plist – This is used to monitor any incompatibilities with 3rd party chargers.
- com.apple.stackshot.server.plist – This daemon’s uses a stackshot server, I have no idea why this file is on a iDevice because it doesn’t relate to UNIX software, a stackshot server is an application that injects itself into a remote process and uses the Windows symbol engine to take a snap-shot of all the threads in the process. The UI presents the call stacks of each thread and the associated source code (with syntax highlighting for C/C++ files). This stuff has nothing to with iDevices, and removing it has no adverse effects on my devices.
- com.apple.chud.chum.plist – This daemon relates to Apple’s CHUD (Computer Hardware Understanding Developer) tools. Removing this daemon will have no adverse effects on your device, unless you are a developer.
- com.apple.chud.pilotfish.plist – This daemon relates to Apple’s CHUD tools. Removing this daemon will have no adverse effects on your device, unless you are a developer.
- com.apple.psctl.plist – It deals with connecting external storage devices. It doesn’t do anything for anybody not using a Camera Connection Kit, so feel free to delete it. Do not remove it if you use a Camera Connection Kit.
- com.apple.apsd.tcpdump.en0.plist – Logs push notification errors.
- com.apple.apsd.tcpdump.pdp_ip0.plist – Also logs push notification errors.
Conditional Daemons: These daemons can be disabled by certain users who have no need for some features of their device.
- com.apple.searchd.plist – Disables Spotlight search if removed. The Spotlight page will still be there, but nothing will show up when you start typing. Disable this daemon if you don’t use Spotlight. This seriously speeds up your device and releases a serious amount of RAM.
- com.apple.AddressBook.plist – If removed, Contacts in the Phone and Address Book application will load slightly slower. Disable this if you don’t care about that.
- com.apple.accessoryd.plist – If removed, it disables accessories like FM radio transmitters, iPhone docks, and AV cables. Accessories will be able to charge your device, but that is all they will be able to do. Remove this if you don’t use any of these accessories.
- com.apple.apsd.plist – If removed, Push Notifications will no longer work. Disable this if you don’t use Push Notifications.
- com.apple.iapd.plist – Functions like com.apple.accessoryd.plist. This deals with accessories that also come with companion apps.
- com.apple.dataaccess.dataaccessd.plist – If removed, contacts will no longer sync via Exchange or Google Sync. Disable this if you don’t use those services.
- com.apple.datamigrator.plist – Used to transfer contacts from SIM card to phone. iPod touch and iPad users can delete this.
- com.apple.racoon.plist – Used for Virtual Private Networks. Disable this daemon if you do not use any VPNs.
- com.apple.MobileInternetSharing.plist – Used for Internet Tethering. Disable this if you have an iPod touch or iPad without 3G or if you aren’t interested in tethering.
- com.apple.AOSNotification.plist – This daemon deals with MobileMe/iCloud syncing. If you do not use the MobileMe/iCloud service, you can disable this.
- com.apple.AdminLite.plist – This daemon tries to return control of your device to you if it thinks that you are waiting for a lengthly process to respond. It does this by force-quitting the process, so if you’re tired of your apps crashing and you would rather wait a few seconds for them to finish what they’re doing, disable this daemon.
- com.apple.graphicsservices.sample.plist – Thought to have something to do with displaying album artwork. I’ve deleted it on my iPhone and everything still works fine, but some people have encountered problems.
- com.apple.UIKit.pasteboardd.plist – This daemon deals with copy/paste. If you don’t find yourself using copy/paste, you can disable this daemon.
- com.apple.mobile.obliteration.plist – This daemon wipes the data partition of your device. (Source) This will be used if you remotely wipe your phone via Exchange, or if you use Settings > General > Reset, or if you set your device to wipe itself after a certain number of failed passcode entries. If you don’t use these features, you can delete this daemon.
- com.apple.scrod.plist – This daemon deals with Voice Control. If you don’t use Voice Control, you can delete this daemon.
Unknown Daemons: The functions of these daemons are currently unknown. Proceed with caution.
- com.apple.daily.plist – Nothing is currently known about this daemon, except that it is programmed to perform a certain function once a day. Removing this daemon has had no adverse effects on my devices.
- com.apple.iqagent.plist – This daemon’s function is currently unknown, but removing it has had no adverse effects on my devices.
- com.apple.mobile.profile_janitor.plist – This daemon’s function is currently unknown, but removing it has had no adverse effects on my devices.
Device-Specific Daemons: These daemons have different functions for different devices. Be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that these daemons are safe to delete from your specific device.
- com.apple.CommCenter.plist – Deals with making and receiving phone calls. iPod touch users (on the first-to-third-gen) can delete this daemon with no adverse effects. iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch 4G users should not delete this daemon under any circumstances.
- com.apple.awd_ice2.plist – Apparently only affects the iPhone 3G, 3GS and 4. It’s not known what its function is on those devices, so remove this daemon at your own risk.
- com.apple.aggregated.plist – This performs some functions related to Audio-In. If you have an iPod touch and do not intend to use Audio-In, disable this.(The microphone inside an iPod Touch 4G is an audio-in device) iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch 4G users should leave this alone.
Don’t touch this Daemons: These daemons are crucial to the operation of your device and should not be modified in any way.
- com.apple.fairplayd.plist – This checks the DRM on your legitimately-acquired music and apps.
- com.apple.installd.plist – Deals with app installation.
- com.apple.BTServer.plist – If this daemon is disabled, your device will become extremely slow and unresponsive.
- com.apple.configd+pm.plist – Deals with system configuration.
- com.apple.configd-pm.plist – Also deals with system configuration.
- com.apple.gmmd.plist – A debugging service for your device.
- com.apple.mDNSResponder.plist – DNS. Disable this, and your Internet is completely gone.
- com.apple.mDNSResponderHelper.plist – Also deals with DNS.
- com.apple.locationd.plist – Deals with GPS and location.
- com.apple.mediaserverd.plist – Plays your music and videos.
- com.apple.usbptpd.plist – Allows your device to connect to your computer and charge.
- com.apple.mtmergeprops.plist – Appears to have something to do with the touchscreen. After I deleted this daemon, my screen was unresponsive. This is why you make backups!
- com.apple.SCHelper-embedded.plist – Appears to be a part of the SystemConfiguration framework, so I don’t recommend deleting it. If some brave soul wants to try it, go ahead and report back.(On your own risk)
- com.apple.SpringBoard.plist – This daemon ensures that SpringBoard launches when you turn your device on. Without this daemon, SpringBoard will not launch. Also, this daemon ensures that you are able to respring your device. If you disable this daemon and attempt to respring, the SpringBoard process will be killed but will not start again.
- com.apple.mobile.lockbot.plist – This daemon’s function is currently unknown, but when I removed it, I had to restore as a result.
- com.apple.mobile.Lockdown.plist – Deals with SIM and network authorization. iPod touch and iPad users, even though this daemon seems like it deals with iPhone-only operations, you would still need to restore your device, after deleting this daemon.
- com.apple.itdbprep.plist – Based on the name, this has something to do with syncing music to your device.
- com.apple.itunesstored – Messing with this daemon will cause it to use 100% of your device’s CPU periodically. Leave it alone.
Jailbreak Daemons: These are daemons installed by jailbreak applications.
- com.apple.dynamic_pager.plist – This is what drives virtual memory (VM) mods. Delete this daemon only if you want to uninstall any VM hacks you have on your device.
- com.bigboss.sbsettingsd.plist – Related to SBSettings. I would suggest leaving it alone.
- com.imalc.insomnia.plist – Used to keep Insomnia running through resprings and reboots. If you don’t want it to do that, disable this.
- com.mxweas.MxT2d.plist – The daemon that allows MxTube to download videos in the background. If disabled, the application will need to be reinstalled; however, if you don’t use MxTube and are too lazy to uninstall it, you can disable this daemon.
- com.saurik.Cydia.Startup.plist – It’s believed that this daemon deals with the AutoInstall trick for installing .deb files. If you don’t know what that is and you don’t use it, you can disable this daemon.
- com.saltinbas.free.mem.plist – This daemon is part of the Repeat Memory Free hack that’s been floating around lately. Disable this if you no longer want your memory to be freed automatically.
- org.nodomain.scrobbled.plist – The Scrobbler daemon. Disable this if you don’t want your music scrobbled anymore.
- com.SPC.SuperCharged.plist – The SuperCharged daemon, which is a virtual memory mod from Cydia. Don’t delete this if you want to keep using SuperCharged.
NOTE! If this tutorial does not specifically mention that a certain daemon is safe to remove, leave it alone. Better safe than sorry.
Source: http://www.ijailbreak.com/how-to/how-to-remove-launch-daemons-to-increase-speed-battery-life-disk-space-part-two/
Source: http://www.ijailbreak.com/how-to/how-to-remove-launch-daemons-to-increase-speed-battery-life-disk-space-part-two/
