Where Are macOS Login Items Stored?
macOS login items, LaunchAgents and background items databases.
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macOS launches login apps from user preferences plus LaunchAgents folders and a background-items database, split across GUI lists and launchd plists. Slow logins hide across all three layers.
Audit Settings login lists first, then plist folders for invisible helpers. Background Tasks databases gate what Ventura and later actually run.
Where macOS stores this, by platform
~/Library/LaunchAgents
Per-user launchd plists run at login. System agents live in /Library/LaunchAgents with daemons in /Library/LaunchDaemons. Login Items in Settings plus the background-items database layer on top. Disable with launchctl bootout before deleting plists.
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop an app opening at login?
Remove it from Settings Login Items plus its plist in the folder above. Helpers respawn when only one layer clears.
Where are background task permissions?
In the background-items database alongside plists above. Re-allow apps in Privacy settings after plist restores.
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