What the "Background Items Added" notification means

Why it happens

Some apps add a small helper that runs without the app being open, for example to check for updates or keep files in sync. Your Mac tells you each time one is added, so nothing starts running without you knowing. Most belong to apps you've just installed or updated. On newer macOS the alert may be titled Login Item Added or App Background Activity.

How to fix it

1. Click the notification. If it's gone, open System Settings, click General, then Login Items & Extensions.

   General›Login Items & Extensions

2. Look under App Background Activity. On macOS 27 the section is called Background App Activity. Each switch is named after the app or developer it belongs to.

   macOS 26 Tahoe General›Login Items & Extensions›App Background Activity

   macOS 27 Golden Gate General›Login Items & Extensions›Background App Activity

3. Switch off anything you don't recognise or don't need. You can switch it back on later if an app stops working properly.

4. Check Open at Login at the top as well. To stop an app opening when you log in, select it and click the remove button (−).

   General›Login Items & Extensions

On macOS 26 the section is called App Background Activity. On macOS 27 it's called Background App Activity, on the same Login Items & Extensions page.

Still not fixed?

1. If the same notice comes back after every restart, open the app it names and look in its own settings for options like starting at login.

2. If you don't recognise the app at all, look in Applications for anything you didn't install, and drag it to the Trash if you don't want it.

3. Switching an item off can stop part of an app, like its menu bar icon or syncing. Turn it back on if something you use stops working.

4. If items you switched off keep coming back, or you think something unwanted is installed, contact Apple Support.