How to stop apps from starting automatically on Mac

Complete guide with multiple methods and troubleshooting.

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

Quick Answer

To stop apps from starting automatically on a Mac, you can manage your login items through System Preferences or use the Activity Monitor to terminate background processes. This ensures that only the applications you need are running when you boot up your Mac.

Easy⏱ 7-10 min read

Prerequisites & Requirements

Before proceeding to stop apps from starting automatically, ensure you have the following:
  • •A Mac running macOS Mojave (10.14) or later.
  • •Administrator access to make changes to system settings.
  • •No critical applications running that you need to keep open during the process.
  • •Backup important data, especially if you are unsure about the changes you are making.

Method 1: Using System Preferences

This method is the most straightforward way to manage startup applications on your Mac. Use this when you want to easily view and modify your login items.
  • •Step 1: Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
  • •Step 2: Select 'System Preferences'.
  • •Step 3: Click on 'Users & Groups'.
  • •Step 4: Select your user account from the left sidebar.
  • •Step 5: Click on the 'Login Items' tab.
  • •Step 6: To remove an app, select it from the list and click the '-' (minus) button below the list.
  • •Step 7: To add an app, click the '+' (plus) button, navigate to the Applications folder, select the app, and click 'Add'.
  • •Step 8: Close the Users & Groups window to save your changes.
  • •Step 9: Restart your Mac to verify that the changes took effect.

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: Click on the Apple menu and select 'System Settings'.
  • •Step 2: Scroll down and click on 'Users & Groups'.
  • •Step 3: Follow the same steps as outlined above for managing login items.

For macOS Monterey (12) and Earlier

The steps are similar, but the layout in System Preferences may differ slightly.
  • •Step 1: Access System Preferences from the Apple menu.
  • •Step 2: Click on 'Users & Groups' and follow the same steps.

Method 2: Using Activity Monitor

Use this method to stop apps that are currently running in the background and may start automatically on the next boot.
  • •Step 1: Open 'Activity Monitor' by searching for it in Spotlight (press Command + Space and type 'Activity Monitor').
  • •Step 2: In the Activity Monitor window, look for any applications you want to stop.
  • •Step 3: Select the application and click the 'X' button in the top-left corner of the window.
  • •Step 4: Confirm by clicking 'Quit' or 'Force Quit' if the app is unresponsive.
  • •Step 5: To prevent it from starting again, return to the System Preferences method to remove it from Login Items.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues while trying to stop apps from starting automatically, consider the following solutions:
  • •Error: 'App not responding' - Solution: Use Activity Monitor to force quit the app and then remove it from Login Items.
  • •Issue: Changes not saving - Fix: Ensure you have administrator privileges and try restarting your Mac after making changes.
  • •Problem: App keeps reappearing in Login Items - Workaround: Check the app's preferences/settings; some apps have options to start at login that need to be disabled.

Advanced Tips & Shortcuts

For power users, here are some additional tips to manage startup applications more effectively:
  • •Keyboard shortcut: Command + Space - Opens Spotlight for quick access to applications.
  • •Command line: 'launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.example.app.plist' - Stops an app from starting automatically if it has a LaunchAgent.
  • •Hidden feature: Use 'Safe Mode' (hold Shift during startup) to troubleshoot startup issues without third-party apps.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common pitfalls:

Expert Tips

The best approach to managing startup applications is to regularly review your Login Items and keep your applications updated to prevent unwanted behavior.