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Experiencing a frozen app on your Mac can be frustrating, especially when you need to continue working. Thankfully, macOS offers a straightforward solution: the force quit feature. This guide will walk you through various methods to force quit a frozen app, including the force quit Mac shortcut, utilizing the Apple menu bar, and employing the Activity Monitor for a more advanced approach.

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How to Force Quit on Mac

Computer with red X over it, showing how to force quit Mac

Now, let's delve into the step-by-step process of force quitting apps using each of the methods discussed earlier.

Step 1: Keyboard Shortcuts

One of the easiest ways to force quit on a Mac PC and Macbook is by using the force quit Mac shortcut. This method is particularly useful when the frozen app prevents you from accessing other menu apps.

  1. To use this shortcut, simply press Command + Option + Esc simultaneously. This action will bring up the "Force Quit Applications" window, which displays a list of all currently running applications.
  2. From this list, select the unresponsive app and choose Force Quit.

Keep in mind that force quitting an app doesn't allow it to save any unsaved work. Always try the regular quit button or Command + Q shortcut before resorting to force quitting. You can also learn the shortcuts to and how to in our other blogs!

Step 2: Force Quit from the Dock

Alternatively, you can force quit a Mac app directly from the Dock. This method is beneficial when you want to avoid using the keyboard shortcut or need a visual representation of the unresponsive app.

  1. Locate the icon of the frozen app in your Dock.
  2. Then, right-click on the app's icon while holding down the Option key on your keyboard. This action will change the usual "Quit" option to "Force Quit."
  3. Click "Force Quit," and the app will be forced to close. As with the previous method, any unsaved data within the app will be lost.

Step 3: Activity Monitor

The Activity Monitor on your Mac provides a comprehensive view of all active processes and their resource consumption. You can use it to force quit unresponsive apps, particularly when other methods fail or if a background process is causing issues.

  1. To open Activity Monitor, go to Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor.
  2. Once open, locate the unresponsive app from the list of processes. You can use the search bar at the top of the window to filter the list if needed.
  3. After selecting the desired app, click the "X" icon located in the top-left corner of the Activity Monitor window. This action will prompt a dialogue box, asking you to confirm if you want to select force quit.
  4. Click "Force Quit" to terminate the app.

Step 4: Terminal Command

For advanced users comfortable with the command line, the Terminal offers another way to force quit apps. While this method is not recommended for beginners, it can be useful in specific situations where other methods prove ineffective.

  1. Open Terminal by navigating to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
  2. Once open, you need to identify the exact name of the app you want to force quit. If the app is open, you can usually find the exact name in the Activity Monitor.
  3. Once you have the app name, type the following command into the Terminal window, replacing "[app name]" with the actual app name: "killall [app name]". For example, to force quit Safari, you would type: "killall Safari" and press Enter.

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Conclusion: How to Force Quit on a Mac

In conclusion, mastering the art of force quitting Mac apps is an invaluable skill that can swiftly resolve unresponsive applications. Understanding the nuances between regular quitting and force quitting, identifying unresponsive apps, and utilizing keyboard shortcuts and utilities are pivotal steps in this process. Whether you opt for the quick keyboard shortcut, force quit from the dock, or leverage the Activity Monitor or Terminal Command, your Mac efficiency will soar with these strategies. Access Wave's to improve productivity and enhance your browsing experience. Experience the seamless performance by mastering the force quit technique today.

FAQs

Browser FAQs

How to force quit an app on Mac with shortcuts?

Press Command + Option + Escape keys to force quit an app on Mac instantly. This shortcut brings up the Force Quit Applications window, allowing you to select and quit unresponsive apps for smooth operation and optimal productivity.

How to force quit application Mac with a frozen screen?

If your screen freezes on your Mac and you need to force quit an application, try the Command + Option + Escape shortcut. If that doesn't work, use the Power button to force restart your Mac and restart the freezing app.

Mac force quit with Task Manager?

You can force quit applications on a Mac using the Activity Monitor or utility. To do this, open Activity Monitor from the Applications folder or by searching in Spotlight. In the Activity Monitor window, select the unresponsive app you want to quit, then click on the "X" icon in the top left corner and choose "Force Quit." You can also take a step further to to remove them permanently.