---
title: System Extensions
framework: System Extensions
role: collection
role_heading: Framework
platforms: [macOS 10.15+]
path: systemextensions
---

# System Extensions

Install and manage user space code that extends the capabilities of macOS.

## Mentioned in

Implementing drivers, system extensions, and kexts

## Overview

Overview Extend the capabilities of macOS by installing and managing system extensions—drivers and other low-level code—in user space rather than in the kernel. By running in user space, system extensions can’t compromise the security or stability of macOS. The system grants these extensions a high level of privilege, so they can perform the kinds of tasks previously reserved for kernel extensions (KEXTs). You use frameworks like DriverKit, Endpoint Security, and Network Extension to write your system extension, and you package the extension in your app bundle. At runtime, use the SystemExtensions framework to install or update the extension on the user’s system. Once installed, an extension remains available for all users on the system. Users can disable the extension by deleting the app, which deletes the extension. Configure the system extension and the host app To successfully activate your extension, you must adhere to the following rules: The extension must match your bundle identifier, excluding file extension. For example, a DriverKit extension with bundle identifier com.example.usbdriver must use the filename com.example.usbdriver.dext. Similarly, a NetworkExtension extension with bundle identifier com.example.networkextension must use the filename com.example.networkextension.systemextension. You must use the same Team ID when signing the extension that you use for signing your app, unless the extension has the com.apple.developer.system-extension.redistributable entitlement. You must either distribute your app and extension through the Mac App Store, or notarize them. See Notarizing macOS software before distribution to learn more about notarization.

## Topics

### Essentials

- [Implementing drivers, system extensions, and kexts](systemextensions/implementing-drivers-system-extensions-and-kexts.md)
- [Debugging and testing system extensions](driverkit/debugging-and-testing-system-extensions.md)
- [System Extension Entitlement](bundleresources/entitlements/com.apple.developer.system-extension.install.md)

### Usage descriptions

- [NSSystemExtensionUsageDescriptionKey](systemextensions/nssystemextensionusagedescriptionkey.md)
- [OSBundleUsageDescriptionKey](systemextensions/osbundleusagedescriptionkey.md)

### Extension activation and deactivation

- [Installing System Extensions and Drivers](systemextensions/installing-system-extensions-and-drivers.md)
- [OSSystemExtensionManager](systemextensions/ossystemextensionmanager.md)
- [OSSystemExtensionRequest](systemextensions/ossystemextensionrequest.md)
- [System Extension Redistributable Entitlement](bundleresources/entitlements/com.apple.developer.system-extension.redistributable.md)

### Errors

- [OSSystemExtensionError](systemextensions/ossystemextensionerror.md)
- [OSSystemExtensionError.Code](systemextensions/ossystemextensionerror/code.md)
- [OSSystemExtensionErrorDomain](systemextensions/ossystemextensionerrordomain.md)

### Reference

- [SystemExtensions Constants](systemextensions/systemextensions-constants.md)

### Classes

- [OSSystemExtensionInfo](systemextensions/ossystemextensioninfo.md)
- [OSSystemExtensionsWorkspace](systemextensions/ossystemextensionsworkspace.md)

### Protocols

- [OSSystemExtensionsWorkspaceObserver](systemextensions/ossystemextensionsworkspaceobserver.md)