TL;DR
To catch and remove hidden LaunchAgents:
- Open Terminal.
- Run launchctl list | grep -v apple to view LaunchAgents.
- Identify and remove suspicious agents with launchctl remove [name].
- Restart your Mac to apply the changes.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
Is your Mac acting weird or running slower than usual? Hidden LaunchAgents might be the issue. In this guide, I will show you how to find and remove them easily using tools like Terminal, Finder, and Activity Monitor. Let’s get your Mac running smoothly again!
What Are LaunchAgents?
LaunchAgents are system resources that macOS uses to automatically start and manage background processes, services, and applications. They can be installed system-wide or on a per-user basis and are typically found in the following directories:
- System-wide:
/Library/LaunchAgents - User-specific:
~/Library/LaunchAgents
These directories contain configuration files that instruct macOS on how and when to launch the associated processes, which run in the background to perform various tasks, like syncing data or checking for software updates.
⚠️ Warning: Be careful when deleting LaunchAgents. Removing essential system processes can cause instability or prevent some applications from working correctly.
How to Catch and Remove Hidden LaunchAgents on Mac
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Identifying hidden LaunchAgents can be tricky, but there are several methods you can use to find them. Below, I’ve shared a few methods to catch and remove hidden LaunchAgents on Mac.
1. Using Terminal
Follow these steps to use Terminal to catch and remove hidden LaunchAgents on Mac:
- To open Terminal, go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
- Once the Terminal is open, type the following command and press Enter:
launchctl list | grep -v apple
- After entering the command, the Terminal will display a list of LaunchAgents running on your Mac. Check the list for any unfamiliar names or items you need to recognize.
- If you find any suspicious LaunchAgents, you can remove them using the
launchctl removecommand. Type this command and press Enter:
launchctl remove com.unknown.launchagent
- After removing the hidden LaunchAgents, it’s a good idea to restart your Mac to ensure all changes take effect. Click the Apple icon and select Restart.
2. Via Finder
Here’s how you can use Finder to catch and remove hidden LaunchAgents on Mac:
- Click the Finder icon in your Dock or press Command ⌘ + Spacebar to open Spotlight search and type in Finder.
- In Finder, click Go in the top menu bar and select Go to Folder.
- In the Go to Folder dialog box, type the following path and press Enter:
/Library/LaunchAgents
- It will take you to the LaunchAgents folder, where you can see all the LaunchAgents files installed on your Mac. Look through the list to see if there are any files you do not recognize or look suspicious.
- If you find a suspicious file, you can delete it. To delete the file, drag it to the Bin or right-click it and select Move to Bin.
- Once you have checked the LaunchAgents folder, you can also catch and remove LaunchDaemons on your Mac by following the same steps above but typing the following path instead:
/Library/LaunchDaemons
- After removing hidden LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons, don’t forget to empty the Bin. To do this, right-click the Bin icon and select Empty Bin to delete the LaunchAgent and LaunchDaemons files permanently.
3. Using Activity Monitor
Here’s how to use Activity Monitor to catch and remove hidden LaunchAgents on Mac:
- Open Activity Monitor from the Utilities folder in your Applications folder or by searching for it in Spotlight.
- Click the CPU tab.
- Look for any suspicious processes that might be associated with hidden LaunchAgents.
- Select the process and click the X icon in the top toolbar.
- Click the Force Quit button to terminate the process.
4. Using Third Party Tools
Third-party tools like MacKeeper, can assist in identifying and removing malware that may be using hidden LaunchAgents to operate. While it may not directly remove the LaunchAgents themselves, it can detect suspicious activities and associated malware that could be linked to them.
Here’s how to use MacKeeper to help catch and remove potential threats:
- Download and install MacKeeper.
- Launch MacKeeper and navigate to the Antivirus tab in the left sidebar.
- Initiate an instant virus scan by clicking the Start Scan button.
- If any malware is detected during the scan, click the Fix Items button to resolve the issues.
- If your system is threat-free, you’ll see a No threats found message. You can tap the Restart button to run the scan again.
- Enable real-time antivirus protection to safeguard your Mac from future threats by clicking the Enable button.
Hidden LaunchAgents can be installed by legitimate apps to perform background tasks like syncing data or checking for updates. However, malware can also install these to run malicious activities without your knowledge.
Why Are Hidden LaunchAgents a Problem?
Hidden LaunchAgents can cause serious issues on your Mac by enabling malware to run without your knowledge. If not removed, they can lead to:
- 🕵️♂️ Data Theft: Malware can use these LaunchAgents to steal sensitive information like login details and personal data.
- 🐢 Slow Performance: Hidden LaunchAgents use system resources, slowing down your Mac and causing delays or freezes.
- 🛡️ Malware Infections: Malicious LaunchAgents can install malware or spyware, compromising your security and privacy.
- 🚫 Unwanted Pop-ups: Some LaunchAgents trigger annoying pop-ups or ads, disrupting your work.
Keep Your Mac Protected Against Hidden LaunchAgents
Hidden LaunchAgents can be a serious threat to the security and performance of your Mac. By following the methods outlined in this article, you can identify and remove hidden LaunchAgents to protect your Mac from malware and unwanted software.
Here are some more tips to protect your system:
- Regularly scan your Mac for hidden LaunchAgents using built-in tools like Terminal.
- Keep macOS updated to patch security vulnerabilities and prevent malware exploitation.
- Uninstall corrupted apps to protect your Mac from potential malware threats.
