How to Quickly Force Quit an App in macOS

How to Quickly Force Quit an App in macOS

While the apps you use on your Mac will generally run efficiently and politely, occasionally one may decide to freeze up, and won’t respond no matter how much you click. Luckily, it’s easy to force quit an app in macOS. We’ll look at our two favorite ways in this “How To.”

Method 1: Force Quitting an App via the Menu Bar

If an app refuses to respond to any of your input, and won’t quit from its own menu, do the following to close the app via the Menu Bar:

1.) Click the Apple logo in the upper left-hand corner of your Mac’s Desktop.

How to Quickly Force Quit an App in macOS

2.) Click the “Force Quit…” menu option in the pull-down menu that appears.

3.) In the “Force Quit Applications” window that appears, click the name of the app you want to quit.

How to Quickly Force Quit an App in macOS

4.) Click the “Force Quit” button.

5.) You’ll be prompted to confirm that you wish to force quit the app, warning that you will lose any unsaved changes in the app. Click the “Force Quit” button in the new prompt.

How to Quickly Force Quit an App in macOS

6.) Close the “Force Quit Applications” window.

Method 1: Force Quitting an App via the Keyboard

1.) Press the Command + Option + Esc keys simultaneously, as shown on the keyboard seen below.

How to Quickly Force Quit an App in macOS

2.) In the “Force Quit Applications” window that appears, click the name of the app you want to quit.

How to Quickly Force Quit an App in macOS

3.) Click the “Force Quit” button.

4.) You’ll be prompted to confirm that you wish to force quit the app, warning that you will lose any unsaved changes in the app. Click the “Force Quit” button in the new prompt.

How to Quickly Force Quit an App in macOS

5.) Close the “Force Quit Applications” window.

Note: If you want to force quit the active, or front-most application on your screen, simply hold down the Command + Option + Shift + Esc keys simultaneously, as seen below. This will force quit the front-most  unresponsive window that is on your Desktop.

How to Quickly Force Quit an App in macOS

For more tips and tricks on how to make better use of your Mac, iOS device, Apple Watch, or Apple TV, be sure to visit the MacTrast How To section of our website.