How to Manage Startup Apps on Mac: A Complete Guide

Every time you start or restart your Mac, certain applications automatically launch without you explicitly opening them. These startup apps, also called login items, can be incredibly useful—automatically opening your email client, cloud storage apps, or essential utilities saves you time and ensures important services are always running. However, too many startup apps can significantly slow down your Mac’s boot time, consume system resources, and create unnecessary clutter on your screen. Understanding how to manage these startup applications gives you control over your Mac’s performance, boot speed, and overall user experience.

Understanding Startup Apps and Login Items

Before diving into management techniques, it’s important to understand what startup apps are and how they differ from other types of background processes on your Mac.

Startup apps, also known as login items, are applications that launch automatically when you log into your user account. They begin running as soon as your desktop appears, often placing icons in your menu bar or dock, or running invisibly in the background. These apps continue running throughout your session until you manually quit them or shut down your Mac.

There are several categories of items that can launch at startup. User-added login items are applications you or other software have explicitly configured to launch at login through System Settings. These are the most common and easiest to manage. Launch agents and daemons are background services that start automatically, often installed by applications to provide specific functionality. Background items are services that apps use to perform tasks even when the main application isn’t running.

Some startup items are essential for your Mac to function properly or for critical applications to work correctly. System services, security software, cloud storage sync clients, and device drivers often need to run at startup. Other startup items are convenience additions that you or applications have added but aren’t strictly necessary for basic operation.

The key to effective startup management is understanding which items are essential, which are merely convenient, and which are unnecessary or unwanted. Removing essential system services can cause problems, while removing unnecessary apps can significantly improve performance.

Viewing Your Current Startup Apps

The first step in managing startup apps is understanding what’s currently configured to launch when you start your Mac. macOS provides a central location for viewing and managing most startup items.

To view your startup apps, click the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and select “System Settings” (or “System Preferences” on older macOS versions). In System Settings, look for “General” in the sidebar, then click on “Login Items” within the General section. On older macOS versions, you might find “Users & Groups,” then click on your username, and select the “Login Items” tab.

The Login Items interface displays several sections. The main “Open at Login” section shows applications that launch when you log in. Each app is listed by name, often with its icon. This list includes apps you’ve explicitly added and apps that registered themselves during installation.

Below the main application list, you’ll see an “Allow in the Background” section (on newer macOS versions). This section lists apps and services that have permission to run background tasks, even when the main application isn’t open. These background items don’t necessarily launch at startup, but they can start automatically when triggered by various events.

Take time to review this entire list carefully. You might be surprised by how many items are configured to launch at startup. Some will be familiar applications you use daily, while others might be unfamiliar utilities or services you didn’t realize were running.

Make note of any items you don’t recognize. Before removing them, research what they do—some unfamiliar items might be essential system services or important components of applications you do use regularly.

Removing Startup Apps Through System Settings

Once you’ve identified startup apps you want to remove, the process is straightforward through System Settings. This is the safest and most reliable method for managing user-level login items.

In the Login Items section of System Settings, locate the app you want to remove from startup in the “Open at Login” list. Click on the app name to select it—it will be highlighted when selected.

After selecting the app, look for a minus (-) button, typically located below the list of apps. Click this minus button, and the selected app is immediately removed from your startup items. The app itself isn’t deleted from your Mac—only its automatic launch at startup is disabled.

The change takes effect immediately, but you won’t see the difference until the next time you log in or restart your Mac. The app will no longer launch automatically, though you can still open it manually whenever you need it.

If you accidentally remove an app you wanted to keep at startup, you can easily add it back using the plus (+) button, which we’ll cover in the next section.

For items in the “Allow in the Background” section, the process is slightly different. These items have toggle switches next to them rather than a removal button. Click the toggle to disable background access for items you don’t want running background tasks. Disabling background access doesn’t remove the app from your Mac but prevents it from running background processes.

Be thoughtful about which startup items you remove. Some apps legitimately benefit from launching at startup—cloud storage services like Dropbox or Google Drive need to run continuously to sync files, backup software should run in the background to protect your data, and security tools need constant operation to provide protection.

However, many apps add themselves to startup unnecessarily. Applications like word processors, web browsers, or games don’t typically need to launch at startup unless you use them immediately upon starting your Mac. Removing these from startup doesn’t affect their functionality when you do choose to open them manually.

Adding Apps to Startup Through System Settings

Sometimes you want to add applications to launch at startup, particularly for tools you use throughout the day or services that need to run continuously.

To add an app to your startup items, open System Settings and navigate to the Login Items section as described earlier. Click the plus (+) button located below the “Open at Login” list. This opens a file browser window showing your Applications folder and other locations.

Navigate to the application you want to add. Most applications are in the Applications folder, which should be displayed by default. Click on the application you want to add to startup, then click the “Open” or “Add” button at the bottom of the file browser.

The selected application appears in your login items list immediately. It will launch automatically the next time you log in or restart your Mac.

You can add multiple applications this way, building a custom set of tools that automatically launch and are ready when you need them. However, remember that each startup application increases boot time and consumes system resources, so add judiciously.

Some applications have their own startup preferences within their settings. Many apps include a checkbox in their preferences labeled “Launch at Login,” “Start at Startup,” or similar wording. Checking this box adds the app to your login items automatically. You’ll see it appear in the Login Items section of System Settings after enabling this preference.

Using an app’s built-in startup preference is often more reliable than manually adding it through System Settings, as the app can properly configure any necessary components or services it needs to function correctly at startup.

Managing Startup Apps from Within Applications

Many applications provide their own controls for managing startup behavior, often buried in their preferences or settings. Understanding how to use these app-specific controls gives you another avenue for managing startup items.

To access an application’s preferences, launch the app and look for its menu (typically named after the application) in the menu bar. Click this menu and select “Preferences,” “Settings,” or “Options.” The exact naming varies by application.

Within the preferences, look for sections labeled “General,” “Startup,” “Launch,” or “Advanced.” These sections often contain startup-related options. Common options include “Launch at Login,” “Open at Startup,” “Start when I log in,” or “Run in background.”

Checking these options adds the application to your startup items. Unchecking them removes it. Changes made through the application’s preferences are immediately reflected in System Settings’ Login Items section.

Some applications are more aggressive about startup behavior. They might re-add themselves to startup items even after you remove them through System Settings. For these persistent apps, disabling startup through the application’s own preferences is often more effective because the app recognizes your preference and respects it.

Certain apps also offer startup options that control how they launch. For example, some applications can launch “hidden” or “minimized,” starting in the background without opening windows. Others can launch “at login and after updates,” ensuring they restart after software updates. These granular controls help you customize startup behavior beyond simple “on” or “off” choices.

Understanding and Managing Launch Agents and Daemons

Beyond visible applications, macOS uses launch agents and launch daemons—invisible background processes that start automatically to perform various functions. Managing these requires understanding where they’re stored and how they function.

Launch agents are per-user processes that run when a specific user logs in. They perform tasks for that user account. Launch daemons are system-wide processes that run regardless of whether any user is logged in. They typically provide system-level services.

These background processes are defined by property list (.plist) files stored in specific system folders. Launch agents can be found in several locations: ~/Library/LaunchAgents (user-specific agents), /Library/LaunchAgents (system-wide agents for all users), and /System/Library/LaunchAgents (macOS system agents). Launch daemons are in /Library/LaunchDaemons and /System/Library/LaunchDaemons.

To view these files, open Finder and press Cmd+Shift+G to open the “Go to Folder” dialog. Type one of the paths above (like ~/Library/LaunchAgents) and press Enter. You’ll see a folder containing .plist files, each representing a launch agent or daemon.

Managing these items directly requires caution. System-installed agents and daemons in /System/Library folders should generally not be modified or removed, as they’re essential for macOS to function properly. User-installed items in /Library folders or ~/Library folders can potentially be modified or removed if you understand what they do.

Alternatively, you can use Terminal commands to manage launch agents and daemons. The launchctl command provides control over these items. For example, “launchctl unload” followed by the path to a .plist file disables that item, while “launchctl load” re-enables it.

However, directly managing launch agents and daemons is advanced and carries risk. Disabling the wrong item can cause system instability, application malfunctions, or prevent essential services from running. Only modify these items if you’re comfortable with the potential consequences and have researched what each item does.

For most users, managing visible applications through System Settings is sufficient. Launch agents and daemons should only be addressed if you’re experiencing specific issues you’ve traced to particular background processes, or if you’re an advanced user comfortable with system-level modifications.

Using Activity Monitor to Identify Resource-Heavy Startup Items

Sometimes you want to remove startup items not because you don’t need them, but because they’re consuming excessive resources and slowing your Mac. Activity Monitor helps identify which startup items are resource-intensive.

To open Activity Monitor, go to Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor, or use Spotlight (Cmd+Space) and search for “Activity Monitor.” The Activity Monitor window displays all running processes on your Mac.

Click the “CPU” tab to see which processes are using the most processor power. The processes are sorted by CPU usage by default, with the most demanding at the top. Look for applications you recognize as startup items. If a startup app is consistently using high CPU percentages (10% or more when idle), it might be worth removing from startup or finding an alternative.

Click the “Memory” tab to see RAM usage. Processes are sorted by memory consumption. Some applications, particularly cloud storage services, media apps, or virtualization software, can consume gigabytes of RAM. If your Mac has limited RAM and you’re experiencing slowdowns, removing memory-intensive apps from startup can help.

The “Energy” tab shows which processes impact battery life most significantly (particularly relevant for MacBook users). Startup apps with high energy impact drain your battery faster. If battery life is a concern, consider removing high-energy apps from startup when running on battery power.

You can also monitor disk activity and network usage to identify startup apps that are constantly reading/writing data or consuming bandwidth. These activities can slow down overall system performance.

Note the applications causing issues, then use System Settings to remove them from startup. You can still launch these apps manually when you need them, avoiding the performance impact when you don’t.

Activity Monitor also shows you when each process started. After restarting your Mac, processes that started immediately after login are likely startup items. This can help you identify startup items that might not be obvious from the Login Items list.

Dealing with Stubborn Apps That Won’t Stay Removed

Some applications persistently re-add themselves to startup items even after you remove them. These stubborn apps require special handling to keep them from launching at startup.

Applications re-add themselves to startup through various mechanisms. Some check their startup status when launched and automatically re-enable it. Others use launch agents that re-add the main application. Some applications even re-add themselves during software updates.

To prevent an app from re-adding itself, first check the application’s own preferences for startup options and disable them there. This tells the app that you don’t want it at startup, preventing automatic re-addition.

If disabling startup in the app’s preferences doesn’t work, you might need to find and disable the launch agent responsible for re-adding the app. As described earlier, look in ~/Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchAgents for .plist files related to the application. Moving these files to another location prevents them from running.

For particularly persistent applications, you might need to remove or disable multiple components: the application from Login Items, any launch agents, and startup preferences within the app itself. Tackling all these simultaneously prevents the app from using alternative mechanisms to launch at startup.

Some apps use helper tools or background services installed in various system locations. Finding and managing all these components can be challenging. Third-party applications like CleanMyMac X or AppCleaner include features for finding and removing all components associated with an application, including startup items.

If an application absolutely insists on running at startup and you can’t disable it through normal means, consider whether you actually need the application installed. If it’s providing value, the startup behavior might be worth tolerating. If it’s not essential, uninstalling it completely solves the startup issue.

Optimizing Startup Performance

Beyond simply adding or removing individual apps, you can optimize your overall startup experience to make your Mac boot faster and perform better immediately after login.

• Minimize Startup Items: The single most effective optimization is reducing the number of startup items to only those you truly need immediately upon login. Each additional startup app increases boot time and initial system load. Be ruthless in evaluating whether each item needs automatic startup or could be launched manually when needed.
• Stagger Application Launches: Some applications allow you to set delayed startup, launching a few seconds or minutes after login rather than immediately. This staggers the system load, preventing all apps from competing for resources simultaneously during boot. Look for delay or defer options in application preferences.
• Use Automation Tools: Applications like Automator or Keyboard Maestro can create workflows that launch applications in a specific sequence with delays between launches, providing more control over the startup process than system-level login items.
• Free Up Disk Space: A full startup disk can significantly slow down startup and overall performance. Ensure you have at least 10-15% of your disk space free. Use Storage Management (Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage) to identify and remove large unused files.
• Reset SMC and NVRAM: If startup seems unusually slow after managing startup items, resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) and NVRAM can resolve certain performance issues. The process varies by Mac model; consult Apple’s support documentation for your specific model.
• Monitor Login Time: Note how long your Mac takes from power on to usable desktop after making changes to startup items. This helps you measure the impact of your optimizations and identify if additional changes are beneficial.

Using Third-Party Tools for Startup Management

While macOS provides built-in tools for managing startup items, several third-party applications offer enhanced features and easier interfaces for this task.

CleanMyMac X includes a startup optimization module that provides a visual interface for viewing and managing login items, launch agents, and launch daemons. It categorizes items by type, shows their impact on startup time, and offers one-click disabling or removal.

Onyx is a free utility that provides access to many hidden macOS settings, including detailed startup item management. It can clean up startup items, clear various caches, and optimize system settings that affect startup performance.

EtreCheck creates detailed reports about your Mac’s configuration, including comprehensive listings of all startup items, launch agents, and system extensions. While not primarily a management tool, it helps identify problematic startup items by highlighting items that might be causing issues.

Lingon X is a powerful tool specifically for managing launch agents and launch daemons. It provides a graphical interface for viewing, editing, and creating .plist files without requiring Terminal commands or manual file editing. This is particularly useful for advanced users who need granular control over background processes.

Bartender doesn’t directly manage startup items but helps organize menu bar icons, many of which come from startup applications. By hiding infrequently used menu bar items, Bartender reduces visual clutter even when multiple apps launch at startup.

When using third-party tools, download them only from reputable sources like the Mac App Store or directly from the developer’s website. Be cautious about startup management tools from unknown sources, as they require significant system access and could potentially be malicious.

Third-party tools can make startup management easier, but they’re not strictly necessary. macOS’s built-in tools are sufficient for most users’ needs. Consider third-party tools if you need advanced features, manage multiple Macs, or prefer more comprehensive interfaces.

Security Considerations

Managing startup items has security implications. Understanding these helps you make informed decisions and maintain a secure system.

Review Unknown Startup Items: Malware sometimes installs itself as a startup item to ensure it runs continuously. Regularly review your startup items and research any you don’t recognize. Be particularly suspicious of items with generic names, items without icons, or items located in unusual folders.

Be Cautious with Launch Agents: The launch agents and daemons folders are common locations for malware to install persistent background processes. If you find unfamiliar .plist files in these locations, research them thoroughly before disabling or removing them, but also be prepared to remove suspicious items.

Monitor System Extensions: System extensions have deep system access. Review installed extensions regularly and remove those you don’t recognize or no longer need. Malware posing as system extensions is rare but possible.

Keep Security Software Current: If you use third-party security software (antivirus, anti-malware), allow it to run at startup. These tools need to start early to protect your system as it boots and loads other applications.

Use FileVault: Enabling FileVault (full-disk encryption) protects your startup items and other data if your Mac is lost or stolen. Encrypted data remains secure even if someone has physical access to your Mac. Enable FileVault in System Settings > Privacy & Security > FileVault.

Create a Standard User Account: For daily use, consider using a standard user account rather than an administrator account. Standard accounts have more restrictions on what startup items can be installed or modified, providing an additional security layer.

Regular Security Audits: Periodically review all your startup items, launch agents, and system extensions as part of a security audit. Remove anything unnecessary and verify that everything present is legitimate and current.

Troubleshooting Startup Problems

Sometimes managing startup items causes problems or reveals existing issues. Understanding common problems and their solutions helps you maintain a smoothly functioning Mac.

• Mac won’t Boot After Removing Startup Items: If your Mac won’t boot properly after removing startup items, restart in Safe Mode by holding Shift during startup. Safe Mode loads only essential startup items. Once in Safe Mode, restore the item you removed by accessing System Settings and re-adding it to Login Items.
• Application Malfunctions After Removing Helper Tools: Some applications rely on background helper tools or launch agents to function properly. If an app stops working after you disable its launch agents, re-enable them. Check the application’s documentation to understand which background components it requires.
• Slow Startup Despite Removing Items: If startup remains slow after removing many startup items, the problem might not be startup items at all. Check for disk errors using Disk Utility, ensure you have adequate free space, and consider whether hardware issues might be the cause.
• Login Items Keep Reappearing: If items you’ve removed keep reappearing in your login items, check if they’re being added by management profiles (in corporate environments), by launch agents that recreate them, or by the applications themselves when launched. Address the root cause rather than repeatedly removing the item.
• Can’t Remove Certain Items: Some login items show a lock icon or can’t be removed with the minus button. These are typically required by system policies or profiles. In managed environments (work or school Macs), your IT department may have locked certain startup items. In other cases, these might be system-level items that shouldn’t be removed.

Best Practices for Startup Item Management

Following established best practices helps you maintain an optimized, secure, and functional startup configuration over time.

Start with Essential Items Only: When setting up a new Mac or user account, add only essential items to startup. You can always add more later if needed, but starting minimal keeps your system fast and responsive.

Regularly Review Startup Items: Set a reminder to review your startup items quarterly or semi-annually. Software needs change, apps get updated or replaced, and startup configurations that made sense months ago might no longer be optimal.

Research Before Removing: Before removing an unfamiliar startup item, search online to understand what it does. Many legitimate system components have obscure names. Removing essential items can cause problems that are difficult to diagnose.

Document Your Changes: Keep notes about what startup items you’ve removed or disabled and why. If you experience problems later, this documentation helps you identify potential causes and reverse changes if necessary.

Test After Major Changes: After significantly changing your startup items—especially if removing multiple items at once—restart your Mac and verify that everything works as expected. Test key applications and features to ensure nothing was inadvertently broken.

Balance Performance and Convenience: While minimizing startup items improves performance, completely removing everything convenient creates friction. Find a balance that gives you acceptable startup speed while automatically launching the tools you genuinely use throughout the day.

Update Applications Regularly: Keep all applications current with their latest versions. Updates often include performance improvements, security fixes, and better startup behavior. Updated apps typically start faster and consume fewer resources.

Consider Usage Patterns: Evaluate your actual usage patterns when deciding what should launch at startup. Apps you use all day should probably start automatically. Apps you use once a week probably shouldn’t.

Conclusion

Managing startup apps on your Mac is a straightforward but impactful way to improve boot times, optimize system performance, and create a cleaner, more efficient computing experience. By understanding how to view current startup items through System Settings, remove unnecessary applications, add useful ones, and address stubborn items that resist removal, you gain control over what happens when your Mac starts. The key is finding the right balance for your needs—keeping essential services and frequently used applications while removing unnecessary items that consume resources without providing value. Regular reviews of your startup configuration, combined with thoughtful decisions about what truly needs to launch automatically versus what can be opened manually when needed, ensures your Mac starts quickly and runs smoothly, ready for productive work without the burden of unnecessary background processes competing for system resources from the moment you log in.