Cloud Optimizer is a modern macOS utility designed to eliminate Wi-Fi latency spikes and stuttering while using cloud gaming services like Boosteroid. Built with SwiftUI, it provides a sleek, native experience with a custom popover interface.
On macOS, background services like AirDrop, AirPlay, and Sidecar use a protocol called AWDL (Apple Wireless Direct Link). To keep these services active, the system's Wi-Fi chip periodically scans for other devices.
During these scans, your Wi-Fi interface is momentarily diverted, causing ping spikes (50ms to 200ms) and packet loss. For competitive gaming and high-bitrate cloud streaming, this results in visible stuttering and input lag.
Additionally, the rapportd daemon (responsible for Continuity features) frequently triggers network activity that can further interfere with a stable gaming connection.
Cloud Optimizer provides a smart, automated way to manage these services based on your activity:
- Focus-Based Activation: Optimization (suspending
rapportdand bringingawdl0down) triggers instantly when the Boosteroid native app is the frontmost application.⚠️ Note: Automatic detection only works for the native app. If you play in a browser, you must use the Force Optimization mode manually. - Custom SwiftUI Popover: A beautiful, interactive menu bar interface for real-time monitoring and control.
- Smart Inactivity Timer: If you switch to another app, the optimizer stays active for a grace period (configurable) before restoring services.
- Real-Time Monitoring: The app checks focus and system state every 2 seconds to ensure optimization is enforced.
- Live Menu Bar Info: See your optimization status and grace period countdown directly in the menu bar.
- Modern Interface: Status cards with vibrant indicators and stylized controls.
- Manual Override: Force optimization "on" regardless of game focus.
- Configurable Grace Period: Choose how long the optimizer stays active in the background.
- Start at Login: Native support for macOS 13+ (Ventura and newer).
- Zero-Config Onboarding: A beautiful setup window guides you through the one-time authorization.
The easiest way to install and keep Cloud Optimizer updated:
brew tap xiskg/tap
brew install --cask cloud-optimizer --no-quarantineThe --no-quarantine flag is recommended to avoid macOS blocking the app since it's not signed with an Apple Developer certificate.
- Download the latest
CloudOptimizer_v1.2.0.zipfrom the Releases page. - Extract and move
CloudOptimizer.appto your/Applicationsfolder. - Open it and follow the one-time onboarding.
Ensure you have Swift installed (included with Xcode) and are running macOS 13.0+:
- Clone this repository:
git clone https://github.com/xiskg/cloud-optimizer.git cd cloud-optimizer - Run the build script:
./build.sh
- The
CloudOptimizer.appbundle will be created in the root directory.
Because this app is not signed with an official Apple Developer certificate ($99/year), macOS Gatekeeper might flag it as "damaged" or "corrupted" when downloaded manually.
To fix this, open your Terminal and run:
xattr -d com.apple.quarantine /Applications/CloudOptimizer.appThe app uses pkill -STOP and ifconfig awdl0 down. These are system-level commands that require root privileges. The onboarding process creates a surgical sudoers rule at /etc/sudoers.d/cloud_optimizer so the app can run these specific commands without asking for your password every time.
The app configures a granular sudoers rule in /etc/sudoers.d/cloud_optimizer to allow running specific commands without a password:
/usr/bin/pkill -STOP rapportd/usr/bin/pkill -CONT rapportd/sbin/ifconfig awdl0 down/sbin/ifconfig awdl0 up
This is the safest way to grant the app only the specific privileges it needs to optimize your network.
Created by xiskg