Help · Mac apps

How to remove login items and startup apps on a Mac.

By Grant and Brad, who make Pangalin's apps · Updated 10 October 2026

Apps can start themselves in two ways: by opening when you log in, or by running a small background item (an updater, a sync helper, a menu-bar tool). Most of them are harmless, but ones you don't use can be switched off in a few clicks.

1. Apps that open at login

1. Choose Apple menu › System Settings › General › Login Items (called Login Items & Extensions on newer macOS).
2. Under Open at Login, select an app you don't want opening automatically and click –.

This only stops it opening at login. The app stays installed and works as normal when you open it.

2. Background items

3. In the same window, look under Allow in the Background. Each switch is an app's background helper.
4. Switch off the ones you don't need. If you're unsure, leave it on: backup, sync, security and input-device apps (mice, keyboards, drawing tablets) often need theirs to work.
5. If an app keeps relaunching its helper, check the app's own settings for an option such as “Launch at login” or “Keep running in the background”.

You can switch any of these back on later. macOS may ask for your password when you change a system-wide item.

Still listed after you deleted the app? An app you've moved to the Trash can stay listed under Allow in the Background until you empty the Trash or restart your Mac. That's normal: macOS keeps the app's built-in helper registered while the app is still in the Trash. It doesn't mean the app wasn't removed.

3. Launch agents, for the curious

Behind many background items are small files called launch agents and launch daemons. You don't normally need to touch them, but if an app you've deleted still starts something, this is where it lives:

• ~/Library/LaunchAgents: items that start when you log in
• /Library/LaunchAgents: items that start when anyone logs in
• /Library/LaunchDaemons: system-wide items that start with the Mac

To look, in Finder choose Go › Go to Folder… (⇧⌘G) and paste a path. Files are usually named after the company, like com.company.app.helper.plist. Only move a file to the Trash if it clearly belongs to an app you've removed, then restart. Never remove files starting com.apple..

Does this speed up my Mac?

Usually only a little, and only if something was busy in the background. The main benefit is fewer things running that you don't use, and less clutter in the menu bar.