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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