If an app continues running in the background after you quit it
Starting in macOS 27 Golden Gate, your Mac shows you when an app continues running in the background after you quit it. The first time this happens with an app, you see a notification. Additionally, you see an indication that it's running in the background when you hover over the icon in the Dock.
Why apps run in the background
An app might continue running briefly in the background to complete tasks like:
Checking for updates, syncing data, or performing other tasks that help the app run.
Retaining access to any sensors (like your camera, microphone, or screen capture) or personal data that you allowed access to while using the app.
While an app continues to run in the background, it might slow the performance of your Mac.
What you can do
When an app continues to run in the background, you have several options:
Reopen the app: Click the icon in the dock to reopen the app.
Stop this app from running in the background: Control-click the icon, then choose Stop Running in Background. You can also choose to prevent the app from running in the background in the future.
Manage apps that can run in the background in System Settings
You can see which apps are allowed to run in the background and manage this behavior for each app.
From the Apple menu, choose System Settings.
Choose General, then Login Items & Extensions.
Under Background App Activity, find the app you want to manage.
Turn the app's ability to run in the background on or off.
If you turn off an app's ability to run in the background, the app might not work as expected. For example, it might not update automatically or sync your data.
If an app doesn't work after you stop it from running in the background
If an app doesn't work as expected after you turn off its ability to run in the background, turn it back on in System Settings:
From the Apple menu, choose System Settings.
Choose General, then Login Items & Extensions.
Under Background App Activity, find the app and turn its ability to run in the background on.
If you don't want the app to run in the background but it's required for the app to work, contact the app developer.