What is the "Google LLC" login item and what is it doing? It just added itself to my login items.

I just got a notification from MacOS that Google LLC added itself to my login items.

This has me asking a few questions.

Hoping someone can help answer the following:

What is Google LLC login item?

What is it doing?

How is it functionally different form Google Updater?

Why is it able to install itself in my log in items without any authentication or opt-in action on my part?

A little background, in case it is relevant:

I have Chrome installed but barely use it for privacy reasons, however I do want keep it on the machine

I used to have Google Backup and Sync installed, but uninstalled over a year ago

I use Google Docs regularly in other browsers

Screenshot from System Prefs > General > Login Items

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 13.4

Posted on Nov 8, 2023 10:29 AM

Best reply

Al Hatch

Level 2

216 points

Posted on Nov 9, 2023 12:03 AM

I have never followed a thread with so much misdirection. A response such as "You agreed to the terms when you installed xyz," and "Just remove Google" is flippant. First, because it misses the point; it doesn't answer harenet's question. Second, because there is no such application as "Google" to be removed.

What prompted the question in this forum (and across the web this month) was the sudden appearance of the "Google LLC" alert. Sudden appearance, as in "new behavior". New behaviors like this tend to get our attention.

"Google LLC" appears in

System Settings… > General > Login Items > Allow in the Background

However, in the same list, dozens of other background items by other publishers trigger no such alert. Only Google throws, "Software from Google LLC added items that can run in the background".

Why does Google Drive do this whereas Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive do not?

Why did it start appearing only in recent weeks?

What has changed?

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What is the "Google LLC" login item and what is it doing? It just added itself to my login items.

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