In this article, we will show you how to force quit on Mac if you are struggling to close or freeze an unresponsive app.

How to force quit an app on Mac – Ever been in a situation where an app on your MacBook just won’t respond?

Sometimes, your app refuses to close or simply unresponsive. Thankfully, you don’t have to restart your Mac to get things back on track.

By using the “Force Quit” function, you can quickly close unresponsive apps and keep your workflow running smoothly.

Here, we’ll walk you through how to force quit on a Mac, step by step, so you can resolve any app-related issues without breaking a sweat.

Plus, we’ll explain what “Force Quit” really does and when it’s necessary to use it.

See Also: 4 Ways to Uninstall Apps on Mac

What Does “Force Quit” Mean on a Mac?

Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand what Force Quit does. When an app on your MacBook stops responding, it means the system is no longer able to communicate with that application properly. Force Quit is essentially your way of shutting down that app manually, forcing it to close even if it’s frozen.

This can be useful when an app becomes completely unresponsive, but keep in mind that any unsaved data in that app will be lost. So, always try to save your work periodically!

When Should You Use Force Quit?

You might need to use Force Quit on your MacBook in the following situations:

• An app is frozen and won’t close through normal means.
• Your Mac is slowing down due to one or more unresponsive apps.
• An app is consuming too much system resources (like memory or CPU).
• You can’t switch between apps or access the Apple menu.

If you’re dealing with any of these issues, using the Force Quit function will usually help you resolve the problem.

See Also: 3 Steps to Screen Record on Mac

How to Force Quit on Mac: 4 Easy Methods

Method 1: Using the Apple Menu

The simplest way to force quit an app on your Mac is through the Apple menu. Here’s how:

1. Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select “Force Quit…” from the dropdown menu. This opens the Force Quit Applications window.
3. In the Force Quit Applications window, you’ll see a list of all running apps.
4. Select the app that you want to force quit.
5. Click “Force Quit” in the bottom-right corner.
6. A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm. Click “Force Quit” again.

This method is quick and effective, especially when you need to deal with a single unresponsive app.

Method 2: Using the Keyboard Shortcut (Command + Option + Esc)

If you’re looking for a faster way to force quit, try using a keyboard shortcut. This is especially helpful if the app you want to quit is preventing you from accessing the Apple menu.

Here’s how to use the shortcut:

1. Press Command + Option + Esc on your keyboard. This opens the Force Quit Applications window.
2. Select the unresponsive app from the list.
3. Click Force Quit and confirm your action.

This method is great when you need to act quickly or don’t want to use the mouse.

See Also: 15 Best Screen Recorder for Mac

Method 3: Using the Activity Monitor

For more advanced users, the Activity Monitor is another way to force quit apps on your MacBook. This method gives you a detailed view of all system processes, including apps, system tasks, and background processes.

To force quit using Activity Monitor:

1. Open Activity Monitor by searching for it in Spotlight or finding it under Applications > Utilities.
2. Find the unresponsive app or process in the list.
3. Select the app, and then click the X icon at the top-left of the Activity Monitor window.
4. Choose Force Quit to close the app.

This method can be useful if you need to quit a process that isn’t listed in the Force Quit Applications window or if you want to target a specific resource-hogging app.

Method 4: Using the Dock (For Apps That Are Not Responding)

If an app is unresponsive but still visible in the Dock, you can try to force quit directly from there.

1. Right-click on the app’s icon in the Dock.
2. Hold down the Option key. You’ll see the “Quit” option change to Force Quit.
3. Select Force Quit to close the app.

This method is simple and quick for apps that are still visible in the Dock but won’t respond.

What to Do After Force Quitting an App

Once you’ve force quit an app, it’s a good idea to relaunch it to see if it behaves normally. If the issue persists, try restarting your MacBook or checking for updates for the app in the App Store. Sometimes, app glitches or crashes can be caused by outdated software.

If your Mac regularly experiences app crashes or freezes, consider troubleshooting the app, reinstalling it, or even checking for any system updates that could help resolve compatibility issues.

See Also: 3 Ways to Right Click on a Mac without Mouse

Key Takeaways

• Force Quit is your go-to solution when an app on your Mac is unresponsive or frozen.
• There are several ways to force quit on a Mac, including using the Apple menu, keyboard shortcut, Activity Monitor, and the Dock.
• Force quitting is safe, but you might lose unsaved data, so always try to save your work regularly.
• If an app continues to cause issues, try updating or reinstalling it to avoid further problems.

Now that you know how to force quit on your Mac, you can take control of any unresponsive apps and keep your Mac running smoothly.

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