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2 min read
Updated March 2026

How to Force Quit on Mac

Close frozen applications on your Mac

Quick Answer

Press ⌘ + Option + Esc to open Force Quit menu, select the app, and click Force Quit.

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Keyboard Shortcut

Press ⌘ + Option + Esc to open the Force Quit Applications window. Select the frozen app and click 'Force Quit'.

💡Apps marked 'Not Responding' are the ones that are frozen.
2

Apple Menu

Click the Apple logo in the top left corner, then select 'Force Quit'. Choose the app and click 'Force Quit'.

💡Hold Shift while clicking the Apple menu to force quit the frontmost app.
3

Activity Monitor

Open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities. Find the app, select it, and click the X button to quit.

💡Use this to see which apps are using the most CPU or memory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose unsaved work?

Yes, force quitting closes the app without saving. Try waiting first, or use Cmd+S to save before force quitting.

What if Force Quit doesn't work?

Hold the Power button for 10 seconds to force restart your Mac. This should be a last resort.

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