In case you have favourite Apps that you always go to on your Mac, then you can make these applications launch as soon you start your Mac by using steps as provided below in this article.
Make Applications Launch at Startup on Mac
If there are specific applications that you always open after starting up your Mac, then you can add these Apps to the list of Startup items on your Mac. This will make your favourite apps open automatically, as soon as you open your Mac.
Add a login item: Click the Add button below the list of items, select a document, folder, app, server, or other item, then click Add. Remove a login item: Select the name of the item you want to prevent from opening automatically, then click the Remove button below the list.
For example, let us assume that you always open the Safari App as soon as you start your Mac. In such a case, you can Add Safari to the list of startup items on your Mac, making your Mac open Safari Automatically at startup.
Mac Os Startup Apps
In addition to having Apps Launch at Startup, you can also set Applications to Launch at Startup, but hide in the background. This will allow you to access your Desktop, while also keeping your favourite active app in the background and available for your immediate use.
In this article, we are taking a look at Making Applications Launch at Startup on Mac using two different methods as listed below.
Make Applications Launch at Startup on Mac Using Dock
If the application that you want to Launch at Startup is located on the Dock of your Mac, then you can follow the steps below to make the application automatically open during startup.
1. Right-Click on the App icon that you want to Launch at Startup on your Mac. This will activate a small pop-up menu.
2. On the pop-up menu, hover your mouse over Options and then click on Open at Login option (See image below)
That’s it, from now on the Application will automatically open when you start your Mac.
Make Applications Launch at Startup on Mac Using Settings
In case the App that you want to Launch at startup on Mac is not located on the Dock of your Mac, you can still make this Application Launch at Startup on your Mac using the Settings Menu on your Mac.
1. Click on the Apple Icon located in the top menu-bar on your Mac and then click on System Preferences in the drop-down menu (See image below)
2. On the System Preferences screen, click on Users & Groups option
3. On the next screen, click on the current user account option in the side-bar menu and then click on the Login Items Tab (See image below)
4. Next, click on the + button to add an application to the list of startup apps (See image above)
5. On the next screen select the application that you would like to Launch at Startup and then click on the Add button, located in the bottom right corner of your window (See image below)
The next time you start your Mac, the application that you just added to Login Items will launch automatically on your Mac.
Hide Applications that Launch at Startup on Mac
As mentioned above, you can also Hide Applications that launch automatically at Startup on your Mac. This will make the applications run in the background and ready to use, any time you want to.
1. Click on the Apple icon in the top Menu bar on your Mac and then click on the System Preferences option in the drop-down menu (See image below)
2. On the System Preferences screen, click on User & Groups option (See image below).
3. On the next screen, click on your User Account in the left sidebar Menu and then click on the Login Items tab (See image below)
4. On the Login Items tab screen, check the application that you want to you want to Hide on your Mac (See image above)
From now on, the Applications that you selected to hide on your Mac will open at startup, but they will continue to run in the background and remain hidden from your sight, until you click on them.
Use the setting in the log out or restart dialog
When you log out of your Mac or restart it, deselect ”Reopen windows when logging back in” when prompted.
Or start up in safe mode, then restart normally. This doesn't change the setting, but your Mac forgets any windows that were open the last time you logged out or restarted.
If you deselect this setting and an app continues to open automatically:
- The app might be a login item. You can add or remove login items in Users & Groups preferences.
- The app might have installed its own startup software. Often this is controlled by a setting within the app. Check the app's preferences or documentation, or contact the app's developer.
Use the setting in General preferences
To prevent apps from remembering the windows they had open, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click General, then select ”Close windows when quitting an app.”
Applications Automatically Start In Mac
Or press and hold the Shift key while opening an app. This doesn't change the setting, but the app forgets any windows that were open the last time you quit the app.
App To Automatically Start App Mac Computer
If these steps don't work for an app, the app might have its own setting for reopening windows. Check the app's preferences or documentation, or contact the app's developer.