How to Manage Login Items and Background Apps on Mac

Apps launch on their own when you start your Mac, or you see notices that an item is “running in the background” — and you’d like to take control of what runs automatically.

Why: Apps you install often add themselves as login items (they open every time you log in) or as background items (helpers that keep running so they can update or sync even when the app is closed). Trimming the ones you don’t need speeds up startup and frees memory.

Fix 1: Stop apps from opening at login

This is where you control which apps launch automatically when you log in.

1. Open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions.
2. Look at the list under Open at Login.
3. To stop one from launching, select it and click the – (Remove) button below the list.
4. To add an app you do want at startup, click the + button and choose it.

Changes take effect the next time you log in or restart.

Fix 2: Turn off background activity

Below the startup list, the Allow in the Background section lists apps allowed to run tasks — like checking for updates or syncing — even when they’re closed.

1. In the same Login Items & Extensions pane, find Allow in the Background.
2. Turn off the switch next to any app you don’t want running in the background.

Be a little careful here: turning off background activity for something like a cloud-storage or backup app can stop it from syncing. Leave those on if you rely on them.

Fix 3: Troubleshoot a startup problem

If your Mac hangs or misbehaves at startup, a single login item is often the cause. Apple’s method is to remove them all, then add them back one at a time.

1. In Login Items & Extensions, note your current items so you can restore them.
2. Select all the login items and click the – (Remove) button.
3. Restart your Mac. If the problem is gone, a login item caused it.
4. Add the login items back one at a time, restarting after each. When the problem returns, the item you just added is the culprit — remove it and leave the rest.

FAQ

What’s the difference between login items and background items? Login items open a full app when you log in. Background items are small helpers that keep running so an app can sync, update, or send notifications even while it’s closed.

Why does an app keep coming back in the background? Many apps re-add their background helper each time you open them. To stop it for good, quit the app, turn it off under Allow in the Background, and check the app’s own preferences for a “launch at login” or “start at startup” option.

Will removing login items delete the apps? No. It only stops them from opening automatically. The apps stay installed and you can launch them yourself anytime.

Sources: Apple Support — Change Login Items & Extensions settings on Mac · Apple Support — Remove login items to resolve startup problems on your Mac