Closing apps on a MacBook is a simple process that can help users manage their system’s resources effectively. When an app is no longer needed, it’s good practice to close it to keep the system running smoothly. This step can also resolve issues if an app is not responding. There are several ways to close an app on a MacBook, some as straightforward as clicking a menu option or using a quick keyboard shortcut.
Every MacBook user encounters the need to close apps to maintain optimal system performance. While it may seem as though clicking the red button at the window’s top-left corner would quit an application, it only closes the window. The app continues to run in the background, which can consume valuable resources and slow down the computer. Learning the various methods for properly closing apps ensures that a MacBook stays responsive and free from unnecessary load.
Closing apps properly helps free up memory and keep your Mac running smoothly. You can close apps using the menu bar, Dock, keyboard shortcuts, or Activity Monitor if an app becomes unresponsive.
✅ Method 1: Quit an App Normally
- Click on the app window to make it active.
- In the menu bar at the top, click the app’s name (e.g., Safari, Pages, etc.).
- Select Quit [App Name] — or press ⌘ Command + Q.
Tip: You can also right-click (or two-finger tap) the app icon in the Dock and choose Quit.
⚙️ Method 2: Force Quit an Unresponsive App
If an app freezes or won’t close normally, you can force quit it.
Option 1: Using the Force Quit Window
- Press ⌘ Command + Option (⌥) + Esc.
- The Force Quit Applications window will appear.
- Select the frozen app and click Force Quit.
(Source: Apple Support)
Option 2: Using the Dock
- Right-click the app icon in the Dock.
- Hold down the Option (⌥) key — “Quit” will change to Force Quit.
- Click Force Quit.
Option 3: Using Activity Monitor
- Open Activity Monitor (found in Applications → Utilities).
- Find the app in the list.
- Select it, then click the “X” button in the top-left corner.
- Choose Force Quit.
(Source: The Tech Gorilla and Mac Observer)
🧩 Method 3: Close App Windows but Keep the App Running
If you just want to close the window but not quit the app:
- Press ⌘ Command + W to close the current window.
- The app will remain open and visible in the Dock (indicated by a small dot under the icon).
🔁 Checking Which Apps Are Still Open
- Look for a dot under the app icons in the Dock — this means they’re still running.
- To quit them, right-click the icon and select Quit.
🧹 Bonus Tip: Automatically Close Apps When You Shut Down
When you restart or shut down your Mac, unclosed apps can reopen automatically.
To prevent this:
- Go to Apple Menu → Shut Down.
- Uncheck “Reopen windows when logging back in.”
Key Takeaways
- Closing apps contributes to better MacBook performance.
- Clicking the red button closes the window but doesn’t quit the app.
- Several methods exist for properly closing apps on a MacBook.
Closing Apps on a MacBook
MacBook users have various options for managing open applications. Whether prioritizing a quick workflow or ensuring applications are completely closed, understanding the different methods is key.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts offer a fast way to close apps. Pressing Command + Q will quit the app immediately. To cycle through open apps, the App Switcher is helpful. Users can activate it by pressing Command + Tab and then use Q to quit the selected app without releasing the Command key.
Clicking the Close Button
Each app window has a red Close button in the top-left corner. Clicking it will close the window but not the app itself. The app is still active, which users can confirm by looking for a dot beneath the app’s icon in the Dock.
Quitting Apps from the Dock
The Dock also provides a straightforward method to quit apps. Right-click on the app’s icon and select Quit. If an app is not responding, users can force quit by holding the Option key while right-clicking on the app in the Dock, then selecting Force Quit from the menu.
Managing System Resources and Troubleshooting
Closing apps on a MacBook not only tidies up the workspace but also frees up system resources, enhancing performance and reducing battery drain.
Using Activity Monitor to Close Apps
Activity Monitor is the tool you can use to see what apps are using the most CPU, memory, and energy. To open it, you go to ‘Applications’ then ‘Utilities’ and click on ‘Activity Monitor’. Once there, you can check the list of processes. Click on any app and then hit the ‘X’ button to close it. This helps manage RAM and power on your MacBook.
Force Quitting Unresponsive Apps
Sometimes an app might freeze and not respond to the usual quit command. You can force quit these apps. Press ‘Command’ + ‘Option’ + ‘Esc’ and a window will pop up with a list of running apps. Select the unresponsive one and click ‘Force Quit’. This method shuts down stuck apps without affecting others.
Optimizing MacBook Performance
To keep your MacBook running smoothly, close apps when you are done using them. Use ‘Command’ + ‘Q’ to quit an app completely, or ‘Command’ + ‘W’ to close just the app window. Prevent multiple apps from running in the background as they can slow down your system by using up more CPU and memory. If your MacBook starts to lag, sometimes a simple restart can refresh your system’s state. This clears temporary files from memory and can solve many performance issues.
