Force an app to close on your Mac

If an app isn't responding, you can force it to close using Force Quit.

To close an app normally, choose Quit from the app menu in the menu bar, or press Command-Q. If an app is unresponsive, you can force it to close using Force Quit:

  1. Choose Force Quit from the Apple menu, or press Command-Option-Esc.
    This is similar to pressing Control-Alt-Delete on a PC.
  2. Select the unresponsive app in the Force Quit window, then click Force Quit.

Learn more

  • The Finder is an app that your Mac keeps open, so there isn't an option to quit or close this app. If the Finder becomes unresponsive, you can use Force Quit, after which the Finder opens again automatically. Select Finder in the Force Quit window, then click Relaunch.
  • If none of your apps are responsive, you can force your Mac to restart.
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