Mac users sometimes run into apps that freeze or stop responding. The spinning beach ball appears, clicks don’t work, and nothing seems to fix it. When an app freezes on your Mac, you can easily force quit it by pressing Command+Option+Escape, clicking the Apple menu and selecting Force Quit, or right-clicking the app in the Dock and choosing Force Quit.
Not knowing how to close frozen apps can be frustrating and waste time. Force quitting is a simple solution that lets you restart the problematic app without restarting your whole computer. It’s a skill every Mac user should know for those moments when technology doesn’t cooperate.
How To Force Quit or Close Frozen Apps on Mac
When an app on your Mac becomes unresponsive or frozen, you can force quit it to regain control. Here are several methods to close frozen apps quickly and safely:
Method 1: Use the Keyboard Shortcut
- Press Command (⌘) + Option (⌥) + Escape (Esc) simultaneously.
- This opens the Force Quit Applications window.
- Select the frozen app from the list.
- Click Force Quit.
- Confirm if prompted.
Method 2: Use the Apple Menu
- Click the Apple () menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select Force Quit… from the dropdown menu.
- Choose the unresponsive app.
- Click Force Quit.
Method 3: Use the Dock
- Locate the frozen app’s icon in the Dock.
- Right-click (or Control-click) the app icon.
- Press the Option (⌥) key; the Quit option changes to Force Quit.
- Click Force Quit.
Method 4: Use Activity Monitor
- Open Activity Monitor (find it via Spotlight by pressing Command + Space and typing “Activity Monitor”).
- In the list of processes, find the frozen app.
- Select it, then click the X button in the top-left corner of the window.
- Choose Force Quit.
Method 5: Use Terminal (Advanced)
- Open Terminal (via Spotlight or Applications > Utilities).
- Type
killall [AppName]replacing[AppName]with the exact name of the frozen app. For example:killall Safari - Press Enter.
Tips to Prevent Frozen Apps
- Keep your macOS and apps updated.
- Avoid running too many apps simultaneously.
- Restart your Mac regularly to clear system resources.
By using these methods, you can quickly close frozen apps and get your Mac back to normal operation.
Sources:
- Apple Support: How to force an app to quit on Mac
- SimplyMac: How to Force Quit on Mac
- iGeeksBlog: 8 Ways to Force Quit Apps on a Mac
Key Takeaways
- The quickest way to force quit a frozen Mac app is using the keyboard shortcut Command+Option+Escape.
- You can prevent app freezes by keeping your Mac updated and avoiding running too many resource-heavy apps at once.
- Force quitting should be used as a last resort since it may cause unsaved work to be lost.
Understanding Force Quit on Mac
When apps freeze on your Mac, the Force Quit function provides a quick way to close stuck programs without restarting your computer. This built-in feature helps you handle unresponsive applications and get back to work fast.
What Is Force Quit?
Force Quit is a Mac feature that lets you immediately shut down an app that’s frozen, hanging, or not responding. Unlike normal quitting (Command+Q), which asks the app to save your work and close properly, Force Quit abruptly ends all app processes.
When you use Force Quit, your Mac stops the app right away without waiting for it to finish what it’s doing. This is helpful when you see the spinning rainbow wheel (also called the “beach ball of death”) that won’t go away.
Force Quit works through several methods:
- Command+Option+Escape keyboard shortcut
- Apple menu option
- Dock menu
- Activity Monitor
- Terminal commands
Be aware that using Force Quit might cause unsaved work to be lost, as the app doesn’t get a chance to save your changes.
When to Use Force Quit
You should use Force Quit when an app becomes completely unresponsive or frozen. The main signs include:
- The spinning rainbow wheel that doesn’t disappear after 30 seconds
- An app window that won’t respond to clicks or keyboard inputs
- The app stops showing updates or progress
- Your Mac becomes sluggish because of the stuck app
Force Quit should be your last option after trying normal quitting methods. First, try waiting a minute to see if the app recovers. Then attempt a regular quit with Command+Q.
If these steps don’t work, that’s when to use Force Quit. After force quitting, you can usually restart the app normally and continue working. For apps that freeze repeatedly, check for updates or reinstall the program.
Methods for Force Quitting Apps on Mac
When your Mac app freezes, you have several reliable ways to shut it down. Each method works in different situations, giving you options whether you prefer using the keyboard, mouse, or more advanced tools.
Keyboard Shortcut Command + Option + Escape
This is the fastest way to force quit a stubborn app. Press the Command + Option + Escape keys all at once to open the Force Quit Applications window. A list of all running apps will appear.
Simply click on the frozen app to highlight it, then click the Force Quit button. The system will ask you to confirm this action. Click Force Quit again, and the app will close immediately.
This method works even when your mouse cursor shows the spinning beach ball. It’s very similar to pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete on Windows computers.
You can force quit multiple apps at once by holding the Command key while selecting them from the list.
Using the Apple Menu
The Apple menu provides an easy way to force quit apps without remembering keyboard shortcuts.
Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen. From the dropdown menu, select Force Quit. This opens the same Force Quit Applications window that the keyboard shortcut does.
Select the app you want to close and click Force Quit. Then confirm your choice when prompted.
This method is helpful if you’re new to Mac or can’t remember the keyboard shortcut. It’s also useful when only one app is frozen but your mouse still works properly.
Force Quit from the Dock
The Dock offers a quick way to close frozen apps without opening additional windows.
Find the app’s icon in the Dock (the bar of icons at the bottom of your screen). Right-click on the app’s icon, or hold the Control key while clicking it.
When the menu appears, press and hold the Option key. The “Quit” option will change to “Force Quit.” Click on Force Quit to close the app immediately.
If the app doesn’t have a Dock icon or the Dock itself is frozen, try one of the other methods instead. This approach is particularly handy when you know exactly which app is causing problems.
Activity Monitor Approach
Activity Monitor is like a task manager that shows all processes running on your Mac.
Open Activity Monitor by going to Applications > Utilities folder, or use Spotlight (Command + Space) and type “Activity Monitor.”
In the Activity Monitor window, find the frozen app in the list. Click on it once to select it. Then click the X button in the top-left corner of the toolbar.
A dialog box will appear with two options: Quit or Force Quit. Try Quit first. If that doesn’t work, use Force Quit.
Activity Monitor gives you more information about what’s happening on your system. You can see how much memory and CPU each app is using, which helps identify problematic apps.
Terminal and the Kill Command
Terminal offers the most powerful way to force quit apps, but requires basic command line knowledge.
Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities, or use Spotlight search. Type ps aux | grep followed by the app name. For example: ps aux | grep Safari
This command lists all processes related to that app. Look for the Process ID (PID), which is a number in the second column.
Next, type kill -9 followed by the PID number. For example: kill -9 1234
Press Enter to run the command. The app will close immediately without confirmation.
This terminal method works when other approaches fail, especially for background processes without visible windows.
Troubleshooting Unresponsive Apps
When your Mac apps freeze or stop responding, there are several effective solutions you can try before resorting to restarting your computer. Different methods can help you regain control of your system and get back to work quickly.
Force Quit Not Working
Sometimes the standard Force Quit window doesn’t work as expected. If Command+Option+Escape doesn’t solve the problem, try alternative methods.
One option is using Activity Monitor:
- Open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities
- Find the frozen app in the list
- Select it and click the “X” button at the top of the window
- Choose “Force Quit” in the confirmation dialog
Terminal offers another powerful solution:
killall ApplicationName
Replace “ApplicationName” with the exact name of the frozen program.
If multiple apps are unresponsive, your Mac might be dealing with memory issues. Check available memory in Activity Monitor’s Memory tab. Free up RAM by closing unnecessary apps before trying Force Quit again.
Checking for App Updates
Outdated apps often cause freezing problems. Keeping software updated helps prevent these issues from happening in the first place.
For App Store applications:
- Open the App Store
- Click on “Updates” in the sidebar
- Install any available updates
For non-App Store apps:
- Open the app and look for “Check for Updates” in the menu
- Visit the developer’s website for the latest version
- Set up automatic updates when possible
Developers constantly fix bugs and compatibility issues. An old version might conflict with your current macOS version, causing freezes and crashes. After updating, restart the app to apply changes properly.
Restarting Your Mac
When nothing else works, restarting your Mac often solves persistent problems. This clears memory and resets system processes that might be causing conflicts.
To restart safely despite frozen apps:
- Press and hold the power button for a few seconds
- Select “Restart” from the dialog that appears
- If no dialog appears, hold the power button until the Mac shuts down, then press it again to restart
For better results, try a safe restart:
- Hold down Shift while selecting Restart from the Apple menu
- This starts your Mac in Safe Mode, which loads only essential software
After restarting, check if the problem persists. If apps keep freezing regularly, consider checking your startup items or running Apple Diagnostics to find hardware issues.
Preventing Frozen Apps
Frozen apps can be frustrating, but you can take steps to reduce how often they happen. These preventive measures focus on keeping your system updated and having backups ready in case things go wrong.
Regularly Update Apps and Mac OS X
Keeping your Mac and apps updated is one of the best ways to prevent freezing issues. Software companies regularly release patches that fix bugs and improve performance.
To update macOS, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select “System Preferences” (or “System Settings” in newer versions). Look for “Software Update” and click “Update Now” if updates are available.
For apps downloaded from the App Store, open the App Store and click on the “Updates” tab. Apps from other sources usually have an update option in their menu (often under “Help” or “About”).
Old or outdated apps are more likely to freeze, especially after system updates. If an app freezes frequently, check if a newer version is available.
Delete unused apps to free up system resources. Too many background processes can slow down your Mac and increase the chance of freezes.
Using Data Recovery Software For Precaution
Data recovery software can be your safety net when apps freeze and you lose unsaved work. These programs can help recover files after sudden app crashes.
Popular options include:
- Time Machine (built into macOS)
- Disk Drill
- Stellar Data Recovery
- R-Studio
Set up Time Machine with an external drive for automatic backups. This makes recovering lost files much easier after app crashes.
For critical work, use apps with auto-save features. Many modern apps save work every few minutes. Check the preferences of your most-used apps to enable this feature.
Cloud-based storage solutions like iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive can provide another layer of protection. These services often keep version histories of your files.
Consider using specialized recovery tools for important file types like documents, photos, or creative projects.
Advanced Troubleshooting
When standard force quit methods fail, you may need more advanced approaches to resolve stubborn app freezes on your Mac. Sometimes the issue requires specialized knowledge or professional assistance.
Seeking Professional Tech Support
If your Mac continues to have frozen apps even after trying all the force quit methods, it might be time to get expert help. JustAnswer offers a platform where you can connect with Verified Experts who specialize in Mac issues.
Professional tech support can diagnose deeper problems that might be causing repeated app freezes. These experts can check for:
- Software conflicts
- Memory issues
- Hard drive problems
- Outdated drivers or software
Apple’s Genius Bar provides in-person troubleshooting if you prefer face-to-face help. Make an appointment online first to avoid waiting.
Many tech support services offer remote assistance, allowing experts to view your screen and fix problems directly. This saves time and often costs less than in-person help.
Before contacting support, write down when the freezes happen and which apps are involved. This information helps experts identify patterns and solve the problem faster.
Safely Shutting Down a Frozen Mac
Sometimes your Mac might freeze completely, making it impossible to use the normal shutdown process. When this happens, you need to know how to force shut down your device safely and how to minimize data loss.
How to Force Shut Down Mac
When your Mac becomes completely unresponsive, you can use the power button to force a shutdown. Press and hold the power button for about 5-10 seconds until your screen goes black. For most Mac models, the power button is located at the top-right of your keyboard or on the back of iMac displays.
If the regular power button method doesn’t work, try these alternatives:
- Control + Command + Power button: This key combination forces your Mac to restart immediately
- Control + Option + Command + Power button: On some Mac models, this combination forces a shutdown
For MacBooks with Touch ID, the power button is the same as the Touch ID sensor. On newer Mac models with Apple Silicon chips, the shutdown process might differ slightly, but holding the power button still works.
Preserving Data Before Force Shutting Down
A force shutdown may cause data loss in unsaved documents. Before taking this step, try these less drastic measures:
- Wait a few minutes to see if your Mac responds
- Try to force quit individual frozen apps using Command + Option + Escape
- Attempt to save any open documents if possible
If you regularly work with important files, enable AutoSave in compatible apps. Many Apple applications like Pages, Numbers, and Keynote save automatically.
Set up Time Machine backups to protect your data from unexpected shutdowns. This creates regular snapshots of your system that you can restore if needed.
After a force restart, your Mac might run a disk check when it boots up again. Let this process complete to fix any file system issues caused by the improper shutdown.
Understanding the Implications of Force Quitting
When your Mac freezes or an app stops responding, force quitting might seem like the only option. But this emergency measure comes with some important effects you should know about.
Unsaved Work: The biggest risk of force quitting is losing unsaved work. Unlike normal quitting, a force quit doesn’t give apps time to save your progress.
System Resources: Force quitting helps free up memory and CPU that a frozen program is using. This can make your Mac run better right away if a program was causing slowdowns.
Background Processes: Some apps run background tasks that get cut off when force quit is used. This might cause problems later if those tasks were important.
Common situations when force quitting is necessary:
- App is completely frozen with no response
- Program shows the spinning beach ball for several minutes
- Mac becomes very slow because of a resource-heavy app
Data Corruption: In rare cases, force quitting while an app is writing files can damage those files. This is especially true for database programs or video editors.
Alternative Options: Before using the force quit command, try waiting a few more minutes. Sometimes apps are just processing heavy tasks and will respond again.
Force quitting should be viewed as a last resort, not a regular way to close programs on your Mac. When possible, always try to quit programs normally first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mac users often encounter frozen apps that need to be closed. These quick solutions will help you handle unresponsive applications without disrupting your workflow.
What are the steps to force quit an unresponsive application on a Mac?
When an app freezes on your Mac, you can force quit it by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting “Force Quit.” A window will appear showing all running applications.
Select the frozen app from the list and click the “Force Quit” button. The system will ask for confirmation, then close the app.
You can also open this window directly by pressing Command + Option + Escape on your keyboard. This shortcut immediately brings up the Force Quit Applications window.
Can I force quit frozen apps using keyboard shortcuts on a Mac?
Yes, Mac offers several keyboard shortcuts to force quit frozen apps. The most common is Command + Option + Escape, which opens the Force Quit Applications window.
For the currently active app, you can press Command + Option + Shift + Escape and hold for about a second. This directly forces the frontmost app to quit without opening any windows.
Another option is using Activity Monitor. Press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type “Activity Monitor,” select the frozen app, and click the X icon in the toolbar.
Is it possible to force close apps on a MacBook Air specifically?
Yes, force closing apps works the same way on a MacBook Air as on any other Mac computer. The methods are identical across all Mac models.
On your MacBook Air, press Command + Option + Escape to bring up the Force Quit window. Select the frozen application and click “Force Quit.”
You can also use the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select “Force Quit” to access the same window.
What should I do to safely restart my Mac when applications freeze?
If multiple applications freeze or your Mac becomes unresponsive, try restarting it safely. First, attempt to save your work in any applications that are still responding.
Click the Apple menu and select “Restart.” If the menu is unresponsive, press Control + Command + Power button to restart without going through the normal shutdown process.
As a last resort, hold the power button until your Mac shuts down completely. Wait a few seconds before turning it back on. This method may cause unsaved data loss, so use it only when nothing else works.
How can I unfreeze applications without quitting them on a MacBook?
Sometimes you can unfreeze an app without closing it. Try waiting a minute or two as the app might be processing something complex.
Click anywhere outside the frozen app, then click back on it. This sometimes helps the application respond again.
Press Command + Tab to switch to another application, then switch back. This can nudge the system to respond properly. If these gentle methods fail, force quitting the application may be necessary.
What function does the Option-Command-P-R keyboard command serve on a Mac?
The Option-Command-P-R keyboard combination performs a NVRAM/PRAM reset on your Mac. This doesn’t directly relate to force quitting apps but can help fix general system issues.
To use it, shut down your Mac completely. Turn it on and immediately press and hold Option-Command-P-R until you hear the startup sound twice or see the Apple logo appear and disappear twice.
This reset clears certain system settings stored in special memory and can resolve various problems, including display issues, sound problems, and startup disk selection troubles.
