Reset App Management Databases with sfltool

Clear macOS's background task management records when login items and daemons misbehave after uninstalls.

macOSGatekeepertroubleshootingsfltoolMedium risk

Run `sudo sfltool resetbtm` to reset the background task management database, then restart the Mac.

01Command

Command

$ sudo sfltool resetbtm

02What it does

sfltool started life as the Shared File List debugger (login items, recent servers) but its important modern verb is resetbtm, which wipes the BTM database that tracks launch daemons, agents, and login items. Stale BTM records are a common cause of 'ghost' login items that reappear after the app was deleted. Other read-only verbs like `sfltool dumpbtm` let you inspect what is registered before resetting anything.

03Risk

RiskMedium risk

RequirementsmacOS 13 Ventura or later for resetbtm.

!Warning: A BTM reset re-prompts for background-item approvals and restarts registration on next boot.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

SFLTOOL Command: Test and debug Shared File Lists in macOS
SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
Evidence: Documents sfltool subcommands including resetbtm for the background task management database.

Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: System & Settings

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