How to Start the 'universalaccessd' Daemon (with examples)

The universalaccessd command is an integral part of macOS’s universal access services, which facilitate features that enhance usability for individuals with disabilities. This system service aids in managing accessibility options such as VoiceOver, Zoom, and other accessibility preferences. The universalaccessd daemon is typically managed by the system, and it’s crucial for ensuring that accessibility features are available to users who rely on them. Generally, it should not be invoked manually, as it is automatically managed by macOS. However, understanding its function is essential for troubleshooting or configuring systems for better accessibility.

Use case 1: Start the daemon

Code:

universalaccessd

Motivation:

Starting the universalaccessd daemon is significant in the context of ensuring that all accessibility services are functioning correctly on a macOS. This use case might occur during system troubleshooting or after an unexpected termination of the service. By manually ensuring that the universalaccessd daemon is active, users can guarantee that accessibility functionalities are running smoothly, which is crucial for users who depend on these features.

Explanation:

• The command universalaccessd is designed to start the universal access services daemon. While the daemon is typically managed by the operating system’s launch mechanisms, using this command can manually initiate its execution if it has stopped unexpectedly.
• There are no additional arguments or options in this usage, which underscores its simplicity and specific focus—the activation of the universal access services daemon.

Example output:

Since universalaccessd is a background service managed by the system, executing this command manually may not yield a visible output in the terminal. Typically, if you were to run this command, it would either silently start the daemon (if it isn’t already running) or return no output, as macOS usually suppresses output for daemon processes to keep the terminal uncluttered.

Conclusion:

The universalaccessd daemon is a core component of macOS’s accessibility infrastructure, essential for users who require special accessibility features. While it is not typical to manually manage this daemon, understanding its purpose and functionality can be invaluable in situations where accessibility services need verification or troubleshooting. By ensuring proper operation of universalaccessd, users ensure that the accessibility features they rely on are consistently available and fully functional.