kextstat MacOS command

The MacOS kextstat command is a powerful tool for managing kernel extensions on your system. By using this command, you can easily check which kernel extensions are currently loaded, their status, and other relevant information. This can be extremely helpful for troubleshooting issues related to kernel extensions, as well as for monitoring and managing the extensions on your system. The kextstat command provides detailed information about each loaded kernel extension, including its bundle ID, version, address, size, and dependencies. By analyzing this information, you can gain insights into how your system is utilizing kernel extensions and identify any potential conflicts or issues. Additionally, the kextstat command allows you to filter and display specific types of kernel extensions, making it easier to focus on the ones that are of interest to you. Overall, the kextstat command is a valuable tool for any MacOS user who wants to take control of their system’s kernel extensions and ensure optimal performance and stability.

kextstat Syntax:

kextstat [-i|-l] [-b <bundle id>] [-p <plist file>]

Options:

Option	Description
-i	Display only loaded non-Apple extensions
-l	Display long format
-b	Display only information for the specified bundle id
-p	Display information about the specified plist file

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
None	Display all loaded kernel extensions

kextstat bash Examples:

Displaying a list of all loaded kernel extensions

kextstat

This command will list all the currently loaded kernel extensions on the macOS system.

Displaying a list of loaded kernel extensions in verbose mode

kextstat -l

Using the -l option with kextstat will display additional information about the loaded kernel extensions in verbose mode.

Viewing just the loaded kernel extensions from a specific vendor

kextstat | grep -i vendor

This command will filter kextstat output to display only the loaded kernel extensions from a specific vendor, as specified by “vendor”.

Searching for a specific kernel extension by name

kextstat | grep -i "example.kext"

By using the grep command, you can search for a specific kernel extension (example.kext in this case) within the kextstat output.

Displaying only the loaded kernel extensions with their bundle identifiers

kextstat -b

Running kextstat with the -b option will display the loaded kernel extensions along with their respective bundle identifiers.

Checking the status of a specific kernel extension

kextstat -l | grep -i "com.example.kext"

By using the -l option with kextstat and filtering with grep, you can check the status of a specific kernel extension (com.example.kext in this case).

kextstat Command Help Center:

How do I use kextstat in MacOS?

To use the kextstat command in MacOS, execute the following command:

kextstat

How can I list only the currently loaded kernel extensions with kextstat?

To list only the currently loaded kernel extensions using kextstat, run the following command:

kextstat -l

What is the command to display detailed information about a specific kernel extension with kextstat in MacOS?

To display detailed information about a specific kernel extension using kextstat in MacOS, use the following command:

kextstat -b com.example.kext

How can I view the version information of kernel extensions in MacOS using kextstat?

To view the version information of kernel extensions in MacOS with kextstat, enter the command:

kextstat -v

How do I see the loaded kernel extensions in reverse order with kextstat on MacOS?

To view the loaded kernel extensions in reverse order using kextstat on MacOS, run the command:

kextstat -r

What is the option to show the addresses for kernel extensions in MacOS using kextstat?

To show the addresses for kernel extensions in MacOS with kextstat, execute the following command:

kextstat -a

How can I display the path to the kernel extension file with kextstat in MacOS?

To display the path to the kernel extension file using kextstat in MacOS, use the command:

kextstat -f

How do I filter the kernel extensions by their dependencies with kextstat on MacOS?

To filter the kernel extensions by their dependencies using kextstat on MacOS, enter:

kextstat -l | grep -E "Dependency1|Dependency2"

Applications of the kextstat command

Finding information about kernel extensions
Checking the status of loaded kernel extensions
Diagnosing issues related to kernel extensions
Monitoring changes in kernel extensions
Troubleshooting kernel extension conflicts