How to disable login items on Mac

Complete guide with multiple methods and troubleshooting

7-10 min read
Expert Verified
Last Updated: August 2025

Quick Answer

To disable login items on a Mac, navigate to System Preferences, select Users & Groups, choose your user account, and then remove unwanted applications from the Login Items list. This process can help improve startup time and system performance by preventing unnecessary applications from launching at login.

Easy⏱ 7-10 min read

Prerequisites & Requirements

Before disabling login items on your Mac, ensure you meet the following requirements:
  • •A Mac running macOS 10.12 (Sierra) or later.
  • •Administrator access to modify user settings.
  • •No critical applications should be disabled that are necessary for your workflow.
  • •Consider backing up important data before making changes to system settings.

Method 1: Using System Preferences

This is the primary method for disabling login items and is suitable for most users.
  • •Step 1: Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and select 'System Preferences'.
  • •Step 2: In the System Preferences window, click on 'Users & Groups'.
  • •Step 3: Select your user account from the list on the left side.
  • •Step 4: Click on the 'Login Items' tab located on the right side of the window.
  • •Step 5: Highlight the application you wish to remove and click the '-' (minus) button below the list.
  • •Step 6: To verify, restart your Mac and check if the application no longer launches at startup.
  • •Step 7: If the application still appears, ensure it is not set to launch from within the application’s own preferences.

For macOS Ventura (13) and later

In macOS Ventura and later, the interface may have slight visual changes, but the steps remain largely the same.
  • •Step 1: Open System Settings instead of System Preferences.
  • •Step 2: Navigate to 'Users & Groups' and follow the same steps as above.

For macOS Monterey (12) and earlier

The steps are consistent across earlier versions, but the layout may differ slightly.
  • •Step 1: Access System Preferences and select 'Users & Groups'.
  • •Step 2: Ensure you are on the correct user account before proceeding to the Login Items tab.

Method 2: Using Terminal

For advanced users, the Terminal can be used to manage login items via command line.
  • •Step 1: Open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities).
  • •Step 2: To view current login items, type the command: `osascript -e 'tell application
  • •System Events
  • • to get the name of every login item'` and press Enter.
  • •Step 3: To remove an item, type: `osascript -e 'tell application
  • •System Events
  • • to delete login item
  • •[Item Name]
  • •'` replacing [Item Name] with the exact name of the application.
  • •Step 4: Verify by restarting your Mac and checking if the application no longer launches.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues while trying to disable login items, consider the following solutions:
  • •Error: 'Application still launches after removal' - Solution: Check the application's own preferences for startup options.
  • •Issue: 'Cannot remove certain items' - Fix: Ensure you have administrator privileges; if not, log in as an admin.
  • •Problem: 'Login Items list is empty but applications still launch' - Workaround: Check for third-party applications that may be managing startup items.

Advanced Tips & Shortcuts

Here are some tips for power users:
  • •Keyboard shortcut: Command + Space - Opens Spotlight Search for quick access to System Preferences.
  • •Command line: `launchctl list` - Lists all currently running services and can help identify unwanted startup items.
  • •Hidden feature: Use 'Safe Mode' (hold Shift during startup) to troubleshoot login items without interference from third-party applications.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common pitfalls:

Expert Tips

Regularly reviewing and managing your login items can significantly enhance your Mac's performance and startup speed.