Mac login items are applications, documents, or processes that automatically launch when you log in to your macOS system. The primary location to find and manage these items is through System Settings (macOS 13 Ventura and later) or System Preferences (older macOS versions). However, not all login items appear in this list, as some apps use background processes, launch agents, or daemons to start automatically. Understanding where to locate these items is essential for optimizing startup performance and managing system resources.

Key findings from the search results:

• System Settings (macOS 13+) is the main interface for managing login items, located under General > Login Items ^[1][4][7].
• System Preferences (macOS 12 and earlier) previously housed login items under Users & Groups > Login Items ^[8].
• Hidden login items may not appear in System Settings, including LaunchAgents, LaunchDaemons, and background tasks managed by launchd ^[1][3].
• Third-party tools like MacKeeper can scan for and remove unnecessary login items, including cron jobs and launch items ^[10].

Managing Mac Login Items

Accessing Login Items via System Settings or System Preferences

The most straightforward method to find and manage login items is through macOS’s built-in settings. The process differs slightly depending on your macOS version. For macOS 13 (Ventura) and later, login items are managed in System Settings, while older versions use System Preferences.

In macOS Ventura and newer:

1. Open System Settings from the Apple menu or Dock.
2. Navigate to General in the left sidebar, then select Login Items on the right ^[4][7].
3. Here, you’ll see a list of apps set to open at login. You can: - Add items by clicking the + button and selecting an application ^[7]. - Remove items by selecting them and clicking the - button ^[4]. - Toggle background apps in the Allow in the Background section ^[4].

For macOS 12 and earlier:

1. Open System Preferences from the Apple menu.
2. Go to Users & Groups, then select your user account.
3. Click the Login Items tab to view and manage the list ^[8].

Notable changes in macOS Ventura:

• The Login Items section was moved from Users & Groups to General in System Settings ^[4].
• The option to hide login items at startup was removed ^[7].
• Users can temporarily prevent login items from opening by holding the Shift key during login ^[7][8].

Finding Hidden or Advanced Login Items

The Login Items list in System Settings does not always show every process that launches at startup. Some applications use LaunchAgents, LaunchDaemons, or background tasks to start automatically, which are not visible in the standard interface. These are managed by macOS’s launchd system and require additional steps to locate.

Key locations and methods for hidden login items:

• LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons:
• These are property list (.plist) files stored in specific Library folders. They can be found in:
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ (user-level agents)
• /Library/LaunchAgents/ (system-wide agents)
• /Library/LaunchDaemons/ (system-wide daemons) ^[1]
• Use Terminal to view these files with commands like:

ls ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
ls /Library/LaunchAgents/ ls /Library/LaunchDaemons/

• Exercise caution when modifying these files, as they can affect system stability ^[1].

• Background Tasks and SMAppService:
• macOS 13 and later use the SMAppService framework to manage helper executables and background tasks ^[3].
• Administrators can identify deployed items using command-line tools or by checking the preference file Apple maintains for common helper apps ^[3].
• Organizations can configure these items using an XML configuration profile ^[3].

• Third-Party Tools:
• Applications like MacKeeper can scan for login items, including cron jobs and launch items, providing a more comprehensive view than System Settings ^[10].
• MacKeeper categorizes items into:
• Login items (standard apps)
• Launch items (agents/daemons)
• Cron jobs (scheduled tasks) ^[10]
• Users can remove unnecessary items directly through the tool, with warnings for critical system processes ^[10].

• Login Hooks and Kernel Extensions:
• Older macOS versions may use login hooks, which are scripts executed during login. These are less common in newer versions ^[5].
• Kernel extensions and cron jobs can also trigger startup processes but are not typically listed in Login Items ^[1].

Examples of hidden login items:

• Apps like Dropbox, Google Drive, or antivirus software often use LaunchAgents to start background processes ^[1].
• Some apps (e.g., Zoom or Slack) may add themselves to Login Items without explicit user consent ^[4].