How to Remove Login Items on Your Mac Featured Image

How to Remove Login Items on Your Mac: 4 Quick Ways

Manage startup items, speed up Mac.

Written by

Reviewed by

Last updated: December 28, 2024

Expert verified

SVG Image

TL;DR

To remove login items on your Mac:

  1. Click the Apple icon and go to System Settings.
  2. Select General, then click Login Items.
  3. Find the item you want to remove and click the button to delete it from startup.

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.

I got tired of my Mac taking forever to start. The issue? Too many apps launching every time I turned it on. I found some simple fixes that worked for me, and now I’ll show you how to do the same in this post.

How to Remove Login Items on Your Mac

Why You Can Trust MacBook Journal verify badge We always conduct first-hand research and verify every method or solution we present, ensuring you receive reliable and effective advice. Learn more about our process.

Now, I am going to share some quick and easy methods to find and remove login items on your Mac.

1. Using System Settings

System Settings offers a built-in way to change your startup items on Mac. Follow these steps to remove login items in System Settings:

  1. Click the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen and tap System Settings.
click the apple icon and select system settings
  1. Select General and click Login Items in the right menu.
click general and select the login items tab
  1. Here, you’ll see the items that launch when you start up your Mac.
  2. Select the login item you want to remove and click the button at the bottom of the list to remove the login item.
select an item and click the minus icon to delete it

2. From the Dock

Here’s how to remove an app from launching at startup using the Dock:

  1. Locate the application icon you want to remove in the Dock. Right-click the app icon, and a menu will appear.
right click the app icon
  1. Hover your mouse over Options from the menu. In the Options menu, uncheck Open at Login.
hover your mouse over options and uncheck open at login
  1. The application will no longer launch automatically when you log in to your Mac.
  2. Repeat this process for any other login items you want to remove from the Dock.

3. Using a Third Party App

Third-party apps offer an easy way to manage startup items with minimal effort. MacKeeper is a popular choice that simplifies the process with a one-click cleanup feature. Here’s how it works:

  1. Download MacKeeper and install it on your Mac.
  2. Open Login Items under Performance in MacKeeper.
tap login items under performance
  1. Click Start Scan.
tap start scan
  1. Select unnecessary items from the list and click Remove Selected Items.
select the login items you want to delete and tap remove selected items
  1. Tap the Remove button on the pop-up.
tap remove on the pop up
  1. It will remove your selected items from the system startup list. You can click Rescan to repeat the process.
tap rescan

4. Using the Library Folder

Here’s how you can use these folders to manage your startup items:

⚠️ Be careful when removing login items from the Library folder or LaunchDaemons. Deleting the wrong files could cause system instability or prevent important services from starting.

  1. Open Finder, click Go in the menu bar, and select Go to Folder.
click go in the menu bar and select go to folder
  1. Type any of the following paths in the box to access these folders:
/Library/LaunchAgents
 /Library/LaunchDaemons
type library launchagents
  1. Look for the file or folder associated with the login item you want to remove.
  2. Right-click the file or folder and select Move to Bin.
right click the file and select move to bin

💡Did you know that reducing startup apps can extend your Mac’s lifespan? Less strain on the system at boot means less wear and tear on your hardware, which could lead to a longer-lasting machine

Get Rid of Unnecessary Login Items on Your Mac

Now that you know how to identify and remove login items on your Mac, you can improve its performance and security. However, if you want to optimize your Mac further, here are some valuable tips:

Frequently Asked Questions

What are login items on Mac?

Login items on Mac are the applications, files, folders, and scripts that launch automatically when you log in. They are typically stored in the Login Items section of your Mac’s settings. You can configure them through System Settings for a specific user account.

Can I disable login items instead of removing them?

Yes, you can disable login items instead of removing them to temporarily stop them from launching automatically at login. Disabling login items can help troubleshoot your Mac or speed up its startup time without completely removing the app or item.

Will removing login items improve my Mac’s performance?

Yes, removing login items will improve your Mac’s performance, as it reduces the resources used during startup. If you have multiple login items, each item must load its resources when your Mac starts up, taking up valuable system resources and causing your Mac to slow down.

Are all login items harmful?

No, all login items are not harmful. Some login items, such as your antivirus software or cloud storage app, can be useful. However, it’s essential to regularly review and remove login items you no longer need or that may pose a security risk to your Mac.

Can login items be set up without my knowledge?

Yes, login items can be set up without your knowledge or permission by some apps. It’s essential to regularly check your login items to ensure only the apps and items you want to launch automatically are set up as login items.

Ojash

Author

Hi there! I'm Ojash, a tech journalist with over a decade of experience in the industry. I've had the privilege of contributing to some of the world's largest tech publications, making my mark as a respected Mac expert. My passion lies in exploring, using, and writing about MacBooks, and I enjoy sharing my expertise to help others make informed decisions and get the most out of their MacBook experience. Join me as we delve into the fascinating world of MacBooks together!

Hashir Ibrahim

Reviewer

Hello! I'm Hashir, a seasoned tech journalist with a unique blend of academic expertise and hands-on experience. With a bachelor's in IT, a master's in cybersecurity, and over a decade in the industry, I've built a reputation for demystifying complex Apple hardware. My work has been featured in top tech outlets like MakeUseOf and MakeTechEasier. As the senior writer at MacBook Journal, I write guides that help you solve any issues you have with your mac.

Total
0
Shares
You May Also Like