To force quit an app on a Mac, you can use the following methods:
Using Keyboard Shortcut
- Press Option (Alt) + Command (⌘) + Esc keys simultaneously.
- A "Force Quit Applications" window will open.
- Select the unresponsive app from the list.
- Click Force Quit to close the app
Using the Apple Menu
- Click the Apple logo () in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select Force Quit from the dropdown menu.
- In the Force Quit window, select the app you want to quit.
- Click Force Quit
Using the Dock
- Right-click (or click and hold) the app icon in the Dock.
- If the app is unresponsive, you will see "Application Not Responding."
- Hover over Force Quit and release the mouse button to quit the app
Using Activity Monitor
- Open Activity Monitor (via Spotlight search or Finder > Applications > Utilities).
- Select the app you want to quit.
- Click the Stop icon (an octagon with an "X") in the toolbar.
- Click Force Quit in the dialog box
Using Terminal (advanced)
- Open Terminal.
- Type
killall [application name]
(e.g.,killall Spotify
). - Press Return to immediately quit the app. Use quotation marks if the app name has spaces (e.g.,
killall "Google Chrome"
)
If none of these methods work, you can restart your Mac or force it to shut down by holding the power button for up to 10 seconds
. These methods provide quick ways to close unresponsive apps and regain control on your Mac.