Controlling applications running in the background on macOS is a crucial aspect of managing system resources and optimizing performance. When software operates in the background, it consumes processing power, memory, and potentially network bandwidth, even when not actively in use. For example, a cloud storage synchronization tool may continuously monitor folders for changes, while a messaging application might maintain an active connection to receive notifications.
The ability to limit or terminate such background activity offers several benefits. It can extend battery life on portable Macs, improve overall system responsiveness, and reduce the demand on computing resources, allowing more processing power for active applications. Historically, managing background processes required navigating complex system utilities, but modern macOS versions provide more accessible methods for users to regain control.