How to Stop Apps From Opening at Startup on a Mac (Login Items and Background Items)
Quick answer: Open System Settings ▸ General ▸ Login Items & Extensions. Under Open at Login, select an app and click the − button. Under Allow in the Background, switch off the helpers you do not need. Apps that still start may be using a launch agent or their own setting.
Too many startup items slow the login and keep using memory and CPU all day. This is one of the most effective fixes for a slow Mac. For the wider picture see Why Is My Mac Running Slow? 10 Real Causes and How to Speed It Up.
Remove login items
Open System Settings ▸ General ▸ Login Items & Extensions.
In Open at Login, select an app and click −.
Restart to check that it no longer opens.
Switch off background items
Below the list, Allow in the Background lists helpers, agents and updaters that run without a window. Turn off the ones you do not recognise or no longer use. If an app stops working properly, turn it back on.
The Dock shortcut
Control-click an app icon in the Dock, choose Options, and untick Open at Login.
Check the app's own setting
Many apps have a setting such as Launch at login in their preferences. Turn it off there, because an app can re-add itself if you only remove the login item.
Where startup items hide
| Where | What starts from there |
|---|---|
| System Settings ▸ General ▸ Login Items & Extensions | Apps and background items you can switch on or off |
| ~/Library/LaunchAgents | Agents that run for your user account |
| /Library/LaunchAgents | Agents installed for all users |
| /Library/LaunchDaemons | Background services that run as the system |
| The app's own preferences | Launch at login options |
Do not delete files you cannot identify. Disabling an item is safer than deleting it.
Measure the result
After restarting, open Activity Monitor and check the CPU and Memory tabs for what is still running. See Activity Monitor on Mac: How to Check CPU Usage and Find What's Slowing You Down.
Doing it with an app
The performance optimizer in MacCove Space (part of Unlimited) shows your login items, launch agents and running services in one list, with a performance score, and lets you disable or quit them. The storage tools are in the free tier.
FAQs
How do I stop apps opening at startup on a Mac?
Remove them in System Settings ▸ General ▸ Login Items & Extensions.
Is it safe to disable background items?
Usually, but leave anything from Apple and anything you rely on, such as backup or security software.
Why do apps keep coming back after I remove them?
They re-add themselves from their own settings, or use a launch agent. Check the app preferences.