Closing an app on a Mac is usually a simple task. You can easily click the red "X" button at the top left corner of the app window or use the keyboard shortcut Command + Q. However, sometimes you may encounter a situation where an app refuses to close, leaving you frustrated and puzzled. In this blog post, we will explore various methods to close an app on a Mac that won’t close, ensuring that you regain control over your computer.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Close an App on Mac That Won’t Close
Encountering an app that won’t close on your Mac can disrupt your workflow and hinder your productivity. Leaving the app running in the background may consume system resources and affect the overall performance of your computer. Moreover, it can be annoying to have a persistent app window that you cannot close. Hence, understanding various methods to force-close an unresponsive app is crucial for efficiently managing your Mac.
Method 1: Force Quit
Force Quitting an app is the go-to method when it becomes unresponsive or fails to close using regular methods. Here are the steps to Force Quit an app on a Mac:
1. Press Command + Option + Escape on your keyboard to open the Force Quit Applications window.
2. Select the unresponsive app from the list.
3. Click the "Force Quit" button.
Pros:
– It immediately terminates the app, ensuring that it no longer consumes system resources.
– Force Quit is accessible even if the app’s window is unresponsive or frozen.
Cons:
– Force Quitting may cause unsaved data to be lost, so make sure to save your work before using this method.
Method 2: Activity Monitor
The Activity Monitor provides detailed information about the processes and resources being used by apps on your Mac. Using the Activity Monitor, you can force-close a misbehaving app. Follow the steps below:
1. Open the "Applications" folder and navigate to the "Utilities" folder.
2. Launch the "Activity Monitor" application.
3. In the Activity Monitor window, locate the app that is not closing.
4. Select the app and click the "X" button in the toolbar.
5. Confirm the action by clicking the "Force Quit" button.
Pros:
– Activity Monitor provides in-depth information about app resource usage, helping you identify problematic apps.
– It allows you to end specific processes instead of forcibly quitting the entire app.
Cons:
– Closing the wrong process in Activity Monitor can lead to unexpected consequences. Ensure you select the correct app before force-quitting it.
Method 3: Terminal Commands
If you are comfortable with using Terminal commands, you can force-close an app by executing specific commands. Here’s how:
1. Launch the "Terminal" application from the "Utilities" folder.
2. Type "`ps aux | grep "` and press Enter. Replace "`"` with the name of the app that is not closing.
3. Note the process ID (PID) of the app from the Terminal output.
4. Type "`kill
Pros:
– Terminal commands offer a more granular level of control, allowing you to target specific processes within an app.
– It can be used to troubleshoot unresponsive apps in a more detailed manner.
Cons:
– Executing Terminal commands requires some technical knowledge and caution to prevent unintended consequences.
– Force-closing an app using Terminal commands may not always be the ideal solution for complex apps with multiple processes.
Method 4: Activity Monitor Via Spotlight Search
If you prefer a quicker way to access the Activity Monitor, you can use Spotlight Search. Follow these steps:
1. Press Command + Spacebar to open Spotlight Search.
2. Type "Activity Monitor" and press Enter to launch the application.
3. In the Activity Monitor window, locate the app that is not closing.
4. Select the app and click the "X" button in the toolbar.
5. Confirm the action by clicking the "Force Quit" button.
Pros:
– Spotlight Search provides a convenient way to access the Activity Monitor without navigating through folders.
– This method allows you to quickly force-close unresponsive apps without interrupting your workflow significantly.
Cons:
– The availability and accessibility of Spotlight Search may vary depending on your Mac’s settings and configuration.
– It may not be suitable for users who prefer a more traditional approach to finding and launching applications.
What to Do If You Can’t Force Quit an App
If none of the methods mentioned above work and you still can’t close an app on your Mac, you can try the following fixes:
1. Restart your Mac: A system restart can often resolve various software conflicts and clear any temporary glitches causing the app to hang.
2. Force Restart: If your Mac becomes completely unresponsive, you can force restart it by pressing and holding the Power button until it shuts down. Then, press the Power button again to turn it back on.
3. Update the App: Ensure that the app causing the issue is up to date with the latest version. Developers often release updates to fix software bugs and improve compatibility.
Bonus Tips
Here are three bonus tips to help you effectively manage unresponsive apps on your Mac:
1. Disable Automatic Window Resume: If an app always opens with previously opened windows, it may contribute to the app not closing properly. To disable this feature, go to "System Preferences" > "General" and uncheck the "Close windows when quitting an app" option.
2. Check for Background Processes: Some apps may continue running background processes even after you close their main window. Use the Activity Monitor to identify and force-quit these processes if necessary.
3. Update macOS: Ensure that your Mac is running the latest version of macOS. System updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can address app-related issues.
5 FAQs
Q1: Can Force Quitting an app potentially harm my Mac?
A: Force Quitting an app should not harm your Mac. It is a built-in feature provided by macOS to forcibly terminate unresponsive apps. However, be cautious of any unsaved data as it may be lost in the process.
Q2: Why does my app become unresponsive in the first place?
A: Several factors can contribute to an app becoming unresponsive, such as software bugs, conflicts with other apps or system processes, lack of available system resources, or running outdated versions of the app.
Q3: Can I recover unsaved data after Force Quitting an app?
A: Unfortunately, Force Quitting an app may result in the loss of unsaved data. It is always recommended to save your work frequently to minimize the risk of losing data.
Q4: What should I do if Force Quitting doesn’t work?
A: If Force Quitting fails to close an unresponsive app, you can try other methods mentioned in this blog post or seek assistance from Apple Support.
Q5: Can I disable Force Quitting for certain apps?
A: No, you cannot disable Force Quitting for specific apps. Force Quit is a core feature of macOS and is available for all applications.
Final Thoughts
Encountering an app that won’t close on your Mac can be frustrating, but with the methods mentioned in this blog post, you can regain control over your computer. Whether you prefer the Force Quit option, using Activity Monitor, executing Terminal commands, or the Spotlight Search method, you now have a range of techniques to force-close unresponsive apps efficiently. Remember to proceed with caution and save your work regularly to minimize potential data loss.