Certain apps automatically launch whenever you start your Mac. And among those apps, you notice Google Chrome is one of those. Have you wondered why Chrome is opening automatically?
If you’re having a hard time figuring out how to stop Chrome from opening on startup on your Mac, you’re at the right place.
I’m Andreas, and I’m a Mac enthusiast. I use my MacBook Pro for virtually everything. I noticed that Google Chrome automatically opens whenever I start my MacBook.
Sure enough, the way to stop the app from doing that is easy. I’ll show you how.
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Ways to Stop Chrome from Opening on Startup
There is more than one way to solve the problem. This isn’t something that happens to everyone. In some cases, the Google Chrome browser enables auto startup by default.
While it might seem like something useful, it just isn’t. Not everyone needs to use Chrome as soon as the Mac starts. So for everyone that needs to solve the problem, make sure to keep reading.
This method works flawlessly. It will get the job done nearly 100% of the time. Not only that, the method is easy to follow and even easier to execute. Here is what you need to do.
Step 1: Click on the Apple icon in the top-left corner and choose “System Preferences” from the list of options.
An alternative way to go to the System Preferences menu is to click “Command” + “Space” and search for the menu in the search bar.
Step 2: Navigate to “Users and Groups.” Here, you will have to select your account and log in.
Step 3: Under “Login Items”, you will see a list of applications that open when you log in automatically. Check the box under “Hide” when you see Google Chrome on the list.
By enabling the hide option, Google Chrome will remain hidden on startup. But this isn’t the way to solve the problem.
Step 4: On the bottom side, you will see a “+” and “-” icon.
Step 5: Select Google Chrome and click on the “-” icon.
By performing these steps, you disable the Chrome startup feature. Not only that, but this method works for any other startup programs. This feature is similar to the task manager feature on Windows operating system.
Luckily enough, this isn’t the only way to solve the problem. While this method works great, Chrome opens on startup even though disabled.
Here is another method that will also work.
Method 2: Use Mac Dock Bar
The Mac Dock bar displays applications already running on your Mac device. Since Chrome starts automatically on startup, you will find it in the Mac Dock bar.
You will also find other apps with the startup “on” feature. This method doesn’t involve going through many steps. Instead, hover over the Chrome app and right-click on it.
Then, hover over “Options” and disable the “Open at Login” option. If this option is already disabled, performing the step will enable it.
Why Should You Disable Chrome Auto Startup?
Even if you want to disable Chrome from starting automatically on login, why should you do it? Is there any particular reason you should always keep it off?
Yes, there is. As some of you might know, Google Chrome is one of the most popular web browsers. But that doesn’t mean it’s best for everyone.
The reason I prevent Chrome from automatically launching is that it eats up a lot of RAM. RAM, or random-access memory, is used by your Mac to perform tasks and support apps.
So when Chrome starts automatically, it naturally eats up a lot of RAM. More so, Chrome is quite a demanding browser. If you don’t have your Mac plugged in, it will consume power on startup.
With the two methods shown above, you know how to prevent Chrome from automatically opening on login. So do the smart thing.
How to Edit Chrome Startup Behavior
This question relates to something else entirely. Namely, have you ever opened Chrome and noticed that it opens a specific website? Do you want to change that? If so, here is how to do it.
- Open Chrome and click on the three dots in the top-right corner.
- Go to “Settings” and then “On startup.”
- You will see three options: open the new tab page, continue where you left off, and open a specific page or set of pages.
- Select the one you prefer.
All three options are self-explanatory. Google Chrome gives you the option to choose what to open on startup. If you prefer a blank page, select the first option. Or, if you prefer to continue where you last left off, select the second option.
But let’s say you don’t want either of those and instead want Chrome to open a specific web page. That’s where the third option comes into play. When you select “Open a specific page or set of pages,” Chrome will let you choose what to open on startup.
You will see a set of pages, and each page will have three dots on the side. Click on the dots to either remove the page or edit it. Also, you can add a new page to the list or use the current pages on startup.
This is a handy feature that adds value to the browser. Some users prefer Chrome to open to a set of pages on startup. If you are one of those people, this feature is designed especially for you.
Conclusion
That concludes this short guide on how to stop Chrome from opening on startup on Mac devices. I hope that the two methods will help you solve the inconvenience.
I’ve also added a hack that tells Chrome how to open specific web pages on startup. Lastly, I’d love to hear more from you on your favorite startup web pages. Leave it in the comments down below.
