As a macOS user, you may occasionally encounter an application that freezes or stops responding. In such situations, you may need to force quit the application to regain control of your Mac. In this blog post, we will explore the different ways you can force close an application on Mac, and offer some recommendations for when and how to use each method.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before diving into the different methods to force close an application on Mac, you will need the following:
- A Mac computer
- The application that needs to be force closed
- A keyboard and/or mouse
What Requires Your Focus?
When an application stops responding, it can be frustrating and cause anxiety. Instead of panicking, it is essential to remain calm and take a methodical approach to force quit the application. Different methods offer varying degrees of control and are better suited for particular scenarios. Understanding when to use each method is crucial. Before force quitting the application, try saving any unsaved work as it may be lost.
Different Methods to Force Close Application on Mac
Method 1: Using Finder
If an application has become completely unresponsive, the most straightforward and recommended method to force close it is using Finder.
1. Click anywhere on the desktop to bring the finder into focus.
2. Click on the "Go" menu at the top of the screen.
3. Select "Utilities" from the list.
4. Double-click on the "Activity Monitor" application.
5. Locate the unresponsive or problematic application in the list and click on it to highlight it.
6. Click on the "X" button in the top-left corner of the Activity Monitor window.
7. Click on the "Force Quit" button in the pop-up window to confirm the action.
Pros:
– Offers fine-grained control over the processes and memory usage
– Can be used to monitor background processes and system resources
Cons:
– Can be complicated for novice users
– Cannot force quit system or core applications
Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts
If you prefer using keyboard shortcuts, this method for force quitting an application is quick and easy.
1. Press the "Option+Command+Escape" keys together.
2. Select the application you want to force quit from the list.
3. Click on the "Force Quit" button.
Pros:
– Can be executed quickly using a keyboard shortcut
– Suitable for novice users
Cons:
– Does not offer fine-grained control over processes
– May not work for applications that have hung indefinitely
Method 3: Using Dock Context Menu
If you are using an older Mac running macOS Sierra or older, this method may work best for you.
1. Right-click on the application’s icon in the Dock.
2. Hold down the "Shift" key on your keyboard, and the "Quit" option will change to "Force Quit."
3. Click on "Force Quit" to close the application.
Pros:
– Quick and easy to execute
– Suitable for novice users
Cons:
– Only works for applications that are running and are visible in the Dock
– Limited control over the application processes
Method 4: Using Terminal
This method is for advanced users who are comfortable using the command line interface.
1. Launch Terminal from the "Utilities" folder.
2. Enter the following command: "killall [application’s name]".
3. Press Enter to execute and force close the application.
Pros:
– Offers control through the terminal
– Can also be used to force quit system or core applications
Cons:
– May be complicated for novice users
– Can be dangerous when used carelessly
Why Can’t I Force Close Application on Mac?
There can be several reasons why you are unable to force close an application on your Mac. Here are some of the most common causes and fixes:
- The application has encountered a critical error: Try using the "Force Quit" button in Activity Monitor or using Terminal to force close the application.
- The application is unresponsive due to background processes: In this case, you can use Activity Monitor to identify the process that is causing the issue and force quit it.
- Your Mac is experiencing a system-wide issue: If you are unable to force quit any applications, you can try restarting your Mac.
Implications and Recommendations
It is essential to use the correct method to force close an application on your Mac, depending on the situation. Using the wrong method can cause data loss or damage to your system. Our recommendations are:
- If an application has hung, try using the "Force Quit" button in Activity Monitor first.
- If using Activity Monitor is too complicated, try using the keyboard shortcut method.
- For a quick and easy method, use the Dock context menu.
- If you are an advanced user comfortable with Terminal, you can use the command line method.
5 FAQs About Force Closing Applications on Mac
Q1: What happens when you force quit an application?
A: When you force quit an application, the application shuts down immediately, without saving any unsaved data or changes. It also does not go through the normal shutdown process, which means that temporary files or resources used by the application may not be properly cleaned up.
Q2: Does force quitting an application damage your Mac?
A: Force quitting an application does not damage your Mac. However, it can cause data loss or corruption if the application was in the process of saving data when you force quit it. Additionally, if you force quit applications repeatedly, it can cause other programs to malfunction, leading to system instability.
Q3: Can you force quit system or core applications?
A: Yes, you can force quit system or core applications using the same method for regular applications. However, it is not recommended as it can cause system instability or crashes.
Q4: Can you force quit multiple applications simultaneously?
A: Yes, you can use the "Command+Option+Shift+Escape" keys together to force quit all applications currently running on your Mac simultaneously. However, this method is not recommended as it does not give you fine-grained control over the application processes, and may cause data loss or corruption.
Q5: Why won’t the "Force Quit" button work on Mac?
A: Sometimes, the "Force Quit" button may not work if an application has become completely unresponsive or is using too much memory. In such cases, you may need to use other methods such as Terminal or restarting your Mac.
Final Words
Force closing an application on Mac is an essential skill every user must have. It helps you regain control of your Mac when an application stops responding or hangs. However, it is crucial to understand when and how to use each method, depending on the situation. Using the wrong method can cause data loss, corruption, or system instability. Have you ever had to force quit an application on your Mac? Which method did you use? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.