Tech Reference

How to stop Spotify from opening on startup on your Mac computer

spotify mac computer
It's easy to stop Spotify from opening when you startup your Mac computer. Shutterstock
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If you have the Spotify app downloaded to your Mac computer, chances are you've noticed that the app opens every time you startup your computer. 

This is a default setting — but it can easily be changed within the Spotify app itself, or using your Mac's System Preferences.

Here's how to do it.

How to stop Spotify from opening on startup on a Mac in Spotify settings

1. Launch the Spotify app on your Mac.

2. Select Spotify from the menu at the top of the screen, and click on Preferences.

Screenshot of the Spotify app with the Preferences option highlighted.
Select Spotify from the top menu and then click on Preferences.  Meira Gebel/Insider

3. In Spotify's Preferences, scroll to the bottom of the page, then select Show Advanced Settings.

Screenshot of the Spotify Preferences with the Show Advanced Settings option highlighted.
In Preferences, select "Show Advanced Settings."  Kyle Wilson/Insider

4. Scroll to find Startup and Window Behavior. 

5. Using the drop-down menu, select No — Spotify will no longer open on startup.

Screenshot of the startup options for Spotify.
Select "No" under Startup and Window Behavior.  Kyle Wilson/Insider

How to stop Spotify from opening on startup on a Mac in System Preferences

1. Launch System Preferences.

2. Find and select Users & Groups.

Screenshot of the Mac Preferences with the Users & Groups highlighted.
Select Users & Groups.  Kyle Wilson/Insider

3. Select Login Items from the option at the top. 

4. Click on the plus sign symbol at the bottom of the page.

Screenshot of the Mac Login Items.
At the top select Login Items, then click on the plus sign at the bottom.  Meira Gebel/Insider

5. Search for Spotify under Applications, and click Add.

Screenshot of the Mac app selection screen.
Click Add under Spotify.  Meira Gebel/Insider

6. Check the box under the column titled "Hide" for Spotify.

Screenshot of the Mac Login Items with the hide box checked by the Spotify entry.
Make sure the box for "Hide" is checked.  Meira Gebel/Insider

Your Mac will now hide the app upon startup of your computer. You can find Spotify by using Spotlight or searching for it in your Applications folder.

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Meira Gebel is a freelance reporter based in Portland, Oregon. She writes about business, culture, and technology for Insider. Her work has been featured in Digital Trends, Willamette Week, USA Today, and more. She is a graduate of Columbia Journalism School and San Francisco State University.  Feel free to reach out to her on Twitter, where she can be found most of the time, @MeiraGebel.