←→ Underneath: Background Apps · All Mac guides

What “Allow in the Background” means on a Mac

In System Settings › General › Login Items & Extensions there is a list called Allow in the Background, with a switch next to each app. Here is what those switches really control.

Short answer: each entry is an app (or developer) that has installed a background item: a helper, launch agent or daemon that can run without the app being open. Turning the switch off stops those items from running. The app still opens normally, but features that depend on the helper, such as auto-update, sync or a VPN, may stop.

Where it came from

Apple added this list in macOS 13 Ventura. Before that, apps could install launch agents quietly. Now macOS records every background item in its Background Task Management database, shows a Background Items Added notification when a new one appears, and gives you a switch.

What counts as a background item

Launch agents: run as you, after you log in. Often updaters, menu-bar helpers or sync clients.
Launch daemons: run as root, from Mac startup. Often VPN, security, backup or driver tools.
Helpers inside an app: since macOS 13, apps can register a helper from inside their own bundle, with no file in the LaunchAgents folders.

Apps that simply open at login are in the separate Open at Login list above it. See how to stop apps opening at login.

Why some entries show a developer name

macOS groups items by who signed them. If the item is a plain .plist file in a LaunchAgents folder, macOS often cannot tie it to one app, so it shows the developer name from the signature instead, such as “Google LLC” or “Adobe Inc.”. One switch can then cover several items from that developer.

Should you turn it off?

Type of app	If you turn it off
Updaters (Google, Microsoft, Adobe, Zoom)	The app no longer updates by itself. Usually fine if you update by hand.
Menu-bar helpers	The menu-bar icon may disappear until you open the app.
Cloud sync (Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive)	Files stop syncing in the background.
VPN and security tools	Protection may stop or fail to connect. Leave on unless you uninstall the tool.
Backup tools	Scheduled backups stop. Leave on.
Hardware tools (mouse, keyboard, audio drivers)	Custom buttons or devices may stop working.
Apps you deleted	Nothing. The leftover item should go; see below.

Turning a switch off does not delete files. Turn it back on to undo it. Some changes take effect only after you log out or restart.

Find the file behind an entry

The settings page does not show which file an entry comes from. To find it:

Open ~/Library/LaunchAgents, /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons in Finder (⇧⌘G) and look for files with the developer's name.
Or run this in Terminal (it asks for your administrator password and prints a long list):
```
sudo sfltool dumpbtm
```
Each item shows its name, developer, URL (the file or app path) and whether it is enabled.

Leftovers from deleted apps

If an entry belongs to an app you already deleted, its launch agent file is usually still in one of the folders above. Remove it the safe way, described in how to disable launch agents. If the list still looks wrong after that, Apple's sfltool resetbtm command resets the whole database; then restart. Every app will ask for background permission again, so use it only as a last step.

FAQ

What does Allow in the Background mean on a Mac?

It lists apps that have background items: helpers, launch agents or daemons that can run without the app's window being open. The switch decides whether macOS lets those items run.

Is it safe to turn off Allow in the Background?

Usually yes for updaters and helpers you do not need. The app itself still opens. But VPN, backup, sync, security and some hardware tools need their background item, so turning it off can stop them from working.

Why does Allow in the Background show a developer name instead of an app?

macOS groups background items by the developer who signed them. When an item is a plain launch agent file, not inside an app, macOS often shows the developer name from the signature.

Why did I get a “Background Items Added” notification?

macOS shows it when an app installs a new background item. It is a notice, not a warning. Click it to open Login Items & Extensions and review the item.

Does turning it off delete anything?

No. The files stay where they are. macOS only stops the items from running. Turn the switch back on to undo it.