Dealing with Slack automatically launching every time you start your Mac can be pretty annoying, especially when you’re trying to get a focused start to your workday. Let’s fix that with some simple steps that’ll give you more control over your startup routine.
Why Does Slack Auto-Launch Anyway?
By default, Slack wants to be helpful by making sure you’re always connected and ready for work communications. While this makes sense for some users, it’s not always what everyone wants or needs. The good news is that changing this behavior is straightforward, and you’ve got a couple of different ways to do it.
Method 1: Changing Slack’s Settings Directly
The easiest way to stop Slack from auto-launching is right within the app itself:
1. Open Slack
2. Click on your workspace name in the top left
3. Select “Preferences”
4. Look for “Launch on start up”
5. Toggle this setting off
Method 2: Using System Settings (More Thorough)
If you want to make sure Slack stays off your startup list, you can also handle this through your Mac’s system settings:
1. Click the Apple menu
2. Select “System Settings”
3. Click on “General”
4. Select “Login Items”
5. Find Slack in the list
6. Click the minus (-) button to remove it
Pro Tips for Managing Startup Apps
While you’re in there, it’s worth taking a moment to review all your startup items. You might be surprised by how many apps have snuck their way into your startup routine over time. Consider keeping only the essential apps that you genuinely need right when your computer starts up – things like your password manager or security software.
What If Slack Keeps Coming Back?
Sometimes, particularly after updates, Slack might reset its startup preferences. If this happens, you might need to combine both methods above to ensure it stays off your startup list. Also, make sure you’re running the latest version of Slack, as older versions might have different behaviors when it comes to startup settings.
Remember, turning off auto-launch doesn’t mean you’re less accessible – it just means you’re taking control of when you want to be available. You can still quickly launch Slack whenever you need it, but now you’re in charge of that decision rather than having it made for you automatically.
