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How to Add Startup Items to Your Mac

Automatically launch applications or items when you boot your Mac

By Tom Nelson Tom Nelson Writer Tom Nelson is an engineer, programmer, network manager, and computer network and systems designer who has written for Other World Computing,and others. Tom is also president of Coyote Moon, Inc., a Macintosh and Windows consulting firm. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 12, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

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Expand Jump to a Section Add Startup Items in System Preferences Drag-and-Drop Method Add Startup Items From the Dock Hide Startup Items Startup Items Already Present Don't Get Carried Away With Startup Items Startup items are applications, documents, shared volumes, or other items that you want to open automatically when you log in to your Mac. For example, you may always launch Apple Mail, Safari, or Messages every time you use your computer. Instead of launching these items manually, designate them as startup items and let your Mac do the work for you. Information in this article applies to Macs with OS X Lion or later OS X, or macOS versions.

Add Startup Items to Your Mac in System Preferences

You have an extensive range of options when you add startup items using the Mac's System Preferences. Here's how: Log in to the Mac with your account information. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences. Alternatively, click the System Preferences icon in the Dock. Click the User & Groups icon (or Accounts in older versions of OS X). Click your username in the list of accounts.
Select the Login Items tab. Click the plus sign (+) below the Login Items window to open a standard Finder browsing screen. Go to the item you want to add and click it to select it. Then, click the Add button. The item you select is added to the Login Items list. The next time you start your Mac or log in to your user account, the items in the list start up automatically.

Drag-and-Drop Method for Adding Startup or Login Items

Like most Mac applications, the Login Items list supports drag and drop. Click and hold an item, and then drag it to the list. This alternate method of adding an item is useful for adding shared volumes, servers, and other computer resources that may not be easy to access in a Finder window. When you've finished adding items, close the System Preferences window. The next time you boot or log in to your Mac, the items in the list start up automatically.

Add Startup Items From the Dock

A quicker way to add startup items is available if the application or item is located on the Dock. Use Dock menus to add the item to the startup items list without opening System Preferences. Right-click the app's Dock icon. Select Options from the pop-up menu. Choose Open at Login from the submenu. Find out more about adding apps to the Dock.

Hide Startup Items

Each item in the Login Items list includes a checkbox labeled Hide. Placing a checkmark in the Hide box causes the app to start up but not display an open window. Hiding an app is useful when you need to have it running but don't need to see the app window. For example, you may want the Activity Monitor app to start automatically without needing the window to open. The app's Dock icon shows at a glance when CPU loads become excessive. Open a window at any time by clicking the app's Dock icon.

Startup Items Already Present

When you access your account's Login Items list, a few entries are present. Some applications that you install add themselves, a helper app, or both, to the list of items to start automatically when you log in. Most of the time, apps ask your permission or provide a checkbox in the app's preferences or a menu item to set the app to start automatically at login.

Don' t Get Carried Away With Startup Items

Startup items can make using your Mac easier and your everyday workflow a snap, but adding too many startup items may lead to unexpected performance consequences. To improve performance, return to System Preferences or the Dock to remove startup items. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Connect to a Server How to Stop Spotify From Opening on Startup on a Mac How to Stop Skype From Starting Automatically How to Add Programs to Startup in Windows 10 How to Modify the Mac Finder Sidebar How to Troubleshoot Startup Problems With Your Mac How to Reset Your Mac's PRAM or NVRAM (Parameter RAM) Boost Your Mac's Performance by Removing Login Items How to Add Favorites on Mac How to Fix a Mac Application That's Not Starting Setting up an iCloud Account on Your Mac Set Up and Use Google Drive on Your Mac How to Turn on the Camera on Your Mac The 12 Best Ways to Speed up a MacBook Pro How to Get Rid of a Virus on a Mac Set up a Gmail Account Using the Mac's Mail Application Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies