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For a seamless experience on your Mac, there might come a time when you need to quit an application that is not responding properly. Force quitting is a common solution to this problem, but not everyone knows how to do it. This comprehensive guide will take you through the steps on how to force quit on a Mac.
What is Force Quitting?
Force Quitting is a way of shutting down an application that has stopped responding, alongside all of the processes associated with it. This is usually done when the app is unresponsive and refuses to quit via normal methods.
Mac computers offer different ways to force quit applications, and we will cover them all in this article.
The Simplest Way to Force Quit on Mac
The easiest way to force quit on a Mac is through the Apple menu. This method is straightforward and can be done in a few simple steps.
| Steps | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. | Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen. |
| 2. | Scroll down and click on “Force Quit.” |
| 3. | A list of applications will appear. Select the one you want to force quit. |
| 4. | Click on the “Force Quit” button, and the application will shut down. |
Alternative Ways to Force Quit on Mac
If the first method does not work or the app does not respond to the command, there are other ways to force quit on Mac.
Using the Keyboard Shortcut
All Mac computers have a keyboard shortcut for force quitting an application. You can use this shortcut if your mouse or trackpad stops working.
To force quit an app using this method, press the following keys at the same time:
| Keys | Action |
|---|---|
| Command + Option + Esc | A “Force Quit Applications” window will appear. Select the app you want to close and click “Force Quit.” |
Using the Activity Monitor
The Activity Monitor is a built-in tool on Mac that shows you all of the processes running on your computer. You can use it to force quit an application that is not responding.
To use the Activity Monitor, follow these steps:
| Steps | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. | Open the “Spotlight” search by pressing Command + Spacebar. |
| 2. | Type “Activity Monitor” and hit “Enter.” |
| 3. | Find the app you want to force quit and click on it. |
| 4. | Click on the “X” icon in the top-left corner of the window and select “Force Quit.” |
Using Terminal
Terminal is a powerful tool on Mac that allows you to control your computer through commands. You can use Terminal to force quit apps as well.
To use Terminal, follow these steps:
| Steps | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. | Open Terminal by going to Applications > Utilities > Terminal. |
| 2. | Type “top” and hit “Enter.” |
| 3. | Find the process ID (PID) associated with the app you want to force quit. |
| 4. | Type “kill PID” (replace “PID” with the actual process ID number) and hit “Enter.” |
FAQs
1. Can force quitting harm my Mac?
No, force quitting an app will not harm your Mac. However, it is not recommended to use it as a regular method of quitting apps.
2. How do I exit full-screen mode on a frozen app?
Press the following keys at the same time: Command + Control + F. If this does not work, you can force quit the app using one of the methods mentioned above.
If all other methods fail, you can try to force shut down your Mac by holding down the power button for a few seconds. However, this should be used as a last resort.
4. Can I access the Activity Monitor from the Dock?
Yes, you can. Right-click on the “Activity Monitor” icon in the Dock and select “Show All Windows.”
5. How do I know which app to force quit?
The app causing the problem will usually have “(Not Responding)” next to its name.
6. Will force quitting an app save my work?
Force quitting an app will close it down, and any unsaved progress will be lost.
7. How do I force quit on a MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar?
You can use the keyboard shortcut mentioned above, or you can press and hold the “Command” key while tapping “Touch ID.” This will bring up the Force Quit Applications window.
8. Can I force quit multiple applications at once?
Yes, you can. Hold down the Command key and click on the apps you want to force quit, then click “Force Quit.”
9. What do I do if a frozen app is preventing me from restarting or shutting down my Mac?
Hold down the power button on your Mac until it shuts down, then restart it.
10. Can I force quit Finder?
Yes, you can. Open the Apple menu, select “Force Quit,” find “Finder” in the list of applications, and click “Force Quit.”
11. How do I quit an app that is not responding without force quitting?
Click on the app, and go to “Apple” > “Force Quit” if it’s your last option. If it’s not your last option, try the regular quit command: “Apple” > “Quit”
12. Can I force quit apps on my iPhone or iPad?
Yes, you can. Double-click on the “Home” button, swipe up on the app you want to force quit, and it will close.
13. Will force quitting affect battery life?
No, force quitting an app will not affect your battery life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, force quitting an app is a simple and effective way of shutting down unresponsive applications on your Mac. There are several ways to do it, and we have covered them all in this article.
We hope this guide has been helpful in solving your Mac problems. Remember to use force quitting only as a last resort, and regularly save your work to prevent data loss.
If you have any further questions or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Follow these instructions at your own risk. We are not responsible for any damages or problems that may arise from force quitting applications on your Mac.