Force close an app by using Force Quit

When an app on your Mac stops responding or freezes, the fastest way to shut it down is Force Quit. This closes the app when ready without saving unsaved work, so use it only when the app will not respond to normal closing. You can open Force Quit in three ways: press Command + Option + Esc, go to the Apple menu and select Force Quit, or open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities and select the frozen app, then click the X button in the toolbar.

The keyboard shortcut Command + Option + Esc is the fastest route. A window appears listing all open apps. Click the app that is frozen, then click Force Quit. The app closes within seconds. This method works even when your Mac is sluggish or partially unresponsive, because the keyboard shortcut bypasses the normal app menu system.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Command + Option + Esc to open Force Quit, select the frozen app, and click Force Quit to close it when ready.
  • Force Quit closes an app without saving, so use it only when the app will not respond to normal closing.
  • Activity Monitor shows how much memory and CPU each app is using, which helps you identify which app is slowing your Mac.
  • Restarting your Mac clears temporary files and resets all running apps, which often fixes freezing problems that return repeatedly.
  • If an app freezes regularly, check the developer's website for an updated version that may have fixed the problem.

Use Activity Monitor to see what is using your Mac's resources

Activity Monitor shows you exactly how much memory and processing power each app is consuming. Open it by pressing Command + Space, typing "Activity Monitor", and pressing Enter. The window displays every running process. Click the Memory or CPU column header to sort by which apps are using the most resources. An app that is frozen often shows high CPU usage or is not responding at all.

Once you identify the problem app in Activity Monitor, select it and click the X button in the toolbar (or press Command + Q). This is gentler than Force Quit through the keyboard shortcut, because Activity Monitor gives the app a moment to close cleanly. If the app does not close after a few seconds, click the X button again and select Force Quit in the dialog that appears.

Restart your Mac if apps keep freezing

If one app freezes repeatedly or multiple apps freeze in the same session, restart your Mac. Go to the Apple menu, select Shut Down, and click Shut Down again to confirm. Wait for your Mac to power off completely, then press the power button to turn it back on. A restart clears temporary files, resets all running processes, and often fixes freezing problems that return after you force close an app.

Before you restart, save your work in any open apps that are still responding. Restarting closes all apps without saving, so you will lose any unsaved changes. If an app is frozen and you cannot save, that is fine — restart anyway. The unsaved work in that app is already lost.

Check for app updates if freezing happens often

An app that freezes regularly may have a bug that the developer has already fixed in a newer version. Open the App Store, click your profile icon in the top right corner, and select Updates. If the frozen app appears in the list, click Update next to it. If the app is not from the App Store, visit the developer's website directly and look for a Downloads or Updates page.

After you install an update, restart your Mac and use the app normally. If it freezes again, the problem may be a conflict with another app or a setting on your Mac. In that case, contact the app's developer through their support page or help menu — they can tell you whether the problem is known and what to do next.

Uninstall an app if it keeps causing problems

If an app freezes constantly even after updating, and you do not need it, remove it from your Mac. Drag the app from Applications to the Trash, or right-click it and select Move to Trash. Some apps also leave behind preference files and caches. To remove those, open Finder, press Command + Shift + G, paste ~/Library/process Support, and look for a folder with the app's name. Drag that folder to Trash as well.

Empty the Trash by right-clicking it in the Dock and selecting Empty Trash. This frees up storage space and removes any leftover files. If you change your mind later, you can reinstall the app from the App Store or the developer's website.

Prevent freezing by closing apps you are not using

Every open app uses some of your Mac's memory and processing power. If you have many apps open at once, your Mac slows down and apps are more likely to freeze. Close apps you are not actively using by clicking the red button in the top left corner of the app window, or by pressing Command + Q while the app is in focus. Closing an app is different from minimizing it — minimizing hides the window but leaves the app running.

If you work with many apps at once, check Activity Monitor occasionally to see which ones are using the most resources. Close the heavy ones when you are done with them. You can also increase the amount of memory available to apps by restarting your Mac regularly, which clears temporary files and resets all processes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Force Quit delete my files?

Force Quit closes the app but does not delete your files. However, any work you have not saved in that app will be lost. Before you force close, try saving your work through the app's menu if it is still partially responsive. If the app is completely frozen, the unsaved work is already gone.

What is the difference between closing and force closing an app?

Closing an app normally (Command + Q) gives it a moment to save your work and shut down cleanly. Force Quit closes it when ready without saving. Use normal closing whenever the app responds, and Force Quit only when the app will not respond at all.

Can I force close an app without losing my work?

Not with Force Quit — it closes without saving. If the app is still partially responsive, try using Command + S to save first, then close normally. If the app is completely frozen, the work in that app is already lost, so Force Quit will not make it worse.

Why does my Mac slow down when I have many apps open?

Each open app uses memory and processing power. When you have too many apps running at once, your Mac runs out of available resources and slows down. Close apps you are not using, or restart your Mac to clear temporary files and reset all processes.

Should I restart my Mac every day?

Restarting once a week or whenever you notice freezing is usually enough. A restart clears temporary files and resets all running processes, which often fixes slowness and freezing. If your Mac freezes multiple times a day, restart it and then check Activity Monitor to see which apps are using the most resources.