MacBook Pro opens random apps during sleep

..Well, since you started out saying how you 'solved' your problem

i can't say either way. Troubleshooting most of these, which could

involve hardware, software, or firmware.. may have all three at play.

An answer may (or not) involve using macOS Recovery; to learn

how it works; & which instruction set goes to your Mac hardware.

• Use macOS Recovery on a Mac with Apple silicon
• Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac

An SMC reset and NVRAM reset both are staples with Intel-based Mac.

..Neither one does much at all for Apple silicon M1+ systems..

• Mac models with the Apple T2 Security Chip - Apple Support

[If Mac has a T2 Chip, that's something to look closely into].

• Change security settings on the startup disk of a Mac with Apple silicon - Apple Support

• How to reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

• Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063

Probably the time has come to consider a new installation. Maybe

to not use anything of present macOS? Try a complete wipe down

to the disk manufacturer's name, on hardware storage drive.

Your backups may or not be corrupt. Have some anyway; in case

the path back to the place you're on now, becomes 'lost' in space.

• About encrypted storage on your new Mac - Apple Support

(Just try to avoid using all the old stuff, in a new installation. A

mass-migration can be difficult to sort out later; don't do it!)

Short of writing zeros, there. SSDs don't like that. Yet there are times

when to treat the Mac to oblivion-like state (+rebuild it totally) is OK.

• How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

This article covers most things; one way or another.

And details are everything, if you thought a step was

overlooked, or not quite correct ~ go through it again.

Welcome, Jesse Sublett!

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities! From your post, it sounds like you are experiencing issues with your MacBook Pro opening apps unexpectedly when you wake it from Sleep mode. We will do all we can to help you find the answers you need. We see no one has responded to your post yet. Here are a couple of things that might help others answer your question:

• Does this issue only happen when you wake the Mac from Sleep, or does it also happen when you power off and restart the MacBook Pro?
• What version of the macOS is currently on the Mac? Here's how to Find out which macOS your Mac is using.
• If you have not tried already, please restart the Mac. Does this help to resolve the issue? Often this simple step will refresh the apps and software on the device to solve numerous problems you may encounter.

Also, check out this link to learn how to Remove login items to resolve startup problems on your Mac. We hope this information helps you out.

Cheers!

..Jesse Sublett:

Have you tried Safe mode as a form of troubleshooting or just to

check and reset the system? Gives the Mac a break, & checks files.

• How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

Perhaps those applications were not fully stopped in their function

& were only closed; just reduced to Dock ~ or other hiding places?

Maybe to use Activity Monitor, and again check actions in the macOS

later; before attempts to shut down (& no 'power nap' or partial-ons.)

Look again with Activity Monitor. ~ You can 'force-quit' any app.

• Activity Monitor User Guide (Table of Contents) for Mac - Apple Support

Also 'Quit the Finder' beneath Apple menu-bar icon. This would not

quit active processes, only ones hidden; some could still be active.

Odd things that just happen, & can sometimes be stopped this way.

• View information about Mac processes in Activity Monitor - Apple Support

Also I can see why these item(s) were selected, earlier; may have an affect:

• Open items automatically when you log in on Mac - Apple Support

• Remove login items to resolve startup problems on your Mac - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/remove-login-items-resolve-startup-problems-mh21210/mac

Other items which may contribute to your symptoms could be these:

•Change Users & Groups Login Options preferences on Mac

•Change your password, user picture, or automatic login items on Mac

•Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac

Perhaps at this time you've already tried to turn off automatic login

by reversal of original instruction, on site with suggested methods?

Just in case that may have been overlooked, or to try again:

• Open items automatically when you login on your Mac - Apple Support (Big Sur)

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/open-items-automatically-when-you-log-in-mh15189/11.0/mac/11.0

(Note the added articles in bottom of page, are among ones previously suggested.)

Also to try Safe mode again: Since each time is like the First time.

Especially if not engaged fully; and let it run more than 15 minutes.

And the idea of a full re-install, from scratch if necessary; the macOS

is still on the table. For a gamble, it's almost a sure thing to just work.

Sorry if you've found your experiences here less than ideal.

..The other idea could include an Apple service appointment..