What is using port 6443 on my Mac?

Port 6443 is the Kubernetes API server. On a Mac it usually means a local cluster from Docker Desktop, minikube, kind, or k3s is running. Run lsof -i :6443 to confirm.

Is it safe to kill the process on port 6443?

Don't kill it directly. The API server is managed by your local Kubernetes tooling. Stop the cluster the proper way, for example by quitting Docker Desktop or running minikube stop.

Why is port 6443 open when I'm not using Kubernetes?

Docker Desktop's built-in Kubernetes, if enabled, keeps the API server on 6443 running in the background. Turn Kubernetes off in Docker Desktop settings to close it.

Port 6443: What's Using It and Is It Safe to Kill?

Port 6443 is the standard port for the Kubernetes API server, the control plane that every kubectl command talks to. On a Mac, a listener on 6443 means a local Kubernetes cluster is running.

What typically listens on port 6443

Docker Desktop Kubernetes: Its built-in cluster exposes the API server on 6443.
minikube, kind, k3s: Local cluster tools run the API server here.
Remote clusters: Connecting to a managed cluster uses outbound 6443.

It’s in the registered range (1024-49151). The API server is supervised by your Kubernetes tooling, not a stray process.

Is it safe to kill?

Don’t kill it directly. The API server is managed by whatever runs your local cluster, so it will restart, and force-killing it can leave the cluster in a bad state. Stop the cluster the proper way instead:

minikube stop

Or turn off Kubernetes in Docker Desktop’s settings, depending on what you use.

Is it suspicious?

If you run local Kubernetes, no. If you don’t and see 6443 listening, it’s usually Docker Desktop with Kubernetes accidentally enabled. Check the owning process and your Docker Desktop settings.

How to find what’s on port 6443 on macOS

lsof -i :6443

The COMMAND column tells you which cluster tool owns it. Stop the cluster through that tool rather than killing the process.

Portie shows port 6443 with its owning process in its live view, so you can confirm which Kubernetes setup is running.