How to Force Quit App on Mac

Do you find yourself in a situation where an app on your Mac is unresponsive and won’t quit no matter what you do? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this tutorial, we will guide you on how to force quit an app on your Mac using a few simple steps.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

If you prefer using keyboard shortcuts to perform tasks quickly, then this method is for you. Follow the steps below:

1. Option + Command + Escape: Press and hold the Option (⌥), Command (⌘), and Escape (⎋) keys simultaneously. This will bring up the “Force Quit Applications” window.
2. Select the App: In the “Force Quit Applications” window, locate the unresponsive app that you want to force quit.
3. Click Force Quit: Select the app and click on the “Force Quit” button. Confirm your action if prompted.

Using Activity Monitor

If the unresponsive app doesn’t appear in the “Force Quit Applications” window or if you prefer an alternative method, try using the Activity Monitor. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Launch Activity Monitor: Go to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor. Alternatively, use Spotlight Search (Command + Space) and type “Activity Monitor”.

   Press Enter to open it.

2. Select the App: In the Activity Monitor window, locate and select the unresponsive app from the list of processes.
3. Click on X icon: At the top-left corner of the Activity Monitor window, you’ll find a small “X” icon. Click on it to force quit the selected app.

Using Dock

If the app’s icon is still visible in the Dock even though it’s unresponsive, you can use this method to force quit it:

1. Right-click on the App’s Icon: Locate the app’s icon in the Dock. Right-click (or Control + Click) on the icon.
2. Hold Option Key: While right-clicking, hold down the Option (⌥) key on your keyboard. This will change the “Quit” option to “Force Quit”.
3. Click on Force Quit: With the Option key held down, click on “Force Quit” to forcefully quit the app.

Tips and Warnings

Tips:

• If a specific app freezes or becomes unresponsive frequently, consider updating it to the latest version as software updates often include bug fixes.
• You can also try closing other unnecessary apps or restarting your Mac if you encounter frequent issues with unresponsive apps.

Warnings:

• Force quitting an app may cause unsaved data to be lost. Make sure you have saved any important work before proceeding.
• If an app continues to freeze or become unresponsive even after force quitting multiple times, it may indicate a deeper issue. Consider contacting Apple Support for further assistance.

Congratulations! You now know how to force quit an app on your Mac using different methods.

Remember to use this method sparingly and only when necessary. Happy computing!