As a Mac user, you may encounter an app that freezes or becomes unresponsive. In such cases, you need to force stop the app to close it. However, the process of force quitting an app on a Mac may not be obvious to everyone. This blog will guide you on how to force stop an app on a Mac and what measures to take to keep the issue from recurring.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To force stop an app on your Mac, you need to use the Activity Monitor app, which comes pre-installed on your Mac.
What Requires Your Focus?
When your Mac’s app becomes unresponsive, it may indicate underlying issues such as software incompatibility, outdated software, or insufficient storage space. As such, it is essential to diagnose and address the problem to avoid future occurrences.
Different Methods to Force Stop An App on a Mac
Method 1: Force Quit using the Keyboard Shortcut
The first method to force stop an app on your Mac involves using a keyboard shortcut. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Step 1: Click on the app you want to force quit.
- Step 2: Press the Command + Option + Esc keys simultaneously to launch the ‘Force Quit Applications’ window.
- Step 3: Click on the app you want to force stop then click the ‘Force Quit’ button on the lower-right corner of the dialog box
Pros:
- Easy and quick to execute.
- No need to open additional applications.
- The keyboard shortcut is easy to remember.
Cons:
- This method does not resolve the underlying issues that cause app freezes and crashes.
- It may not work effectively if an app is unresponsive.
Method 2: Force Quit using the Dock
This method requires using the Dock to force quit an app:
- Step 1: Locate the icon of the app you want to force stop on the Dock.
- Step 2: Right-click on the app icon. A contextual menu with options will appear
- Step 3: Press the ‘Option’ key on the keyboard, and you will see the ‘Force Quit’ button appear. Click on the button to stop the app.
Pros:
- Requires no keyboard shortcut.
- The process is more visual and interactive.
Cons:
- Sometimes an app icon may not appear on the Dock, making it hard to execute the method.
- The contextual menu sometimes may not display the ‘Force Quit’ option
Method 3: Force Quit using the Activity Monitor
The Activity Monitor app enables you to view the processes of every app running on your Mac. You can use it to track and force stop an unresponsive app as follows:
- Step 1: Open the Activity Monitor app from the Launchpad or type ‘Activity Monitor’ in the Spotlight.
- Step 2: Click on the unresponsive app then click on the ‘X’ button on the top-left corner of the Activity Monitor window.
- Step 3: The app will display a prompt asking you whether you want to quit or force quit the app. Click on the ‘Force Quit’ button.
Pros:
- The activity monitor gives you an overview of all the processes running on your Mac, making it easy to identify which app to stop.
- It is an effective method of resolving underlying issues causing app freezes and crashes
Cons:
- If you are not tech-savvy, the activity monitor may be a bit complicated to use.
- The process of opening the Activity Monitor app may take a few extra steps.
Why Can’t I Force Stop An App on My Mac?
There are several reasons why you may not be able to force stop an app on your Mac:
1. Lack of permission
A lack of permission for an app to close may deny you the ability to force stop it. To resolve this issue, change your Mac’s settings to grant permission to force quit an app. Navigate to ‘Security & Privacy’ in System Preferences then choose ‘Privacy’. Click on ‘Accessibility’, then click on the padlock icon to unlock the settings. Finally, tick the checkbox for the apps you want to give permission to force quit.
2. Malware
The presence of malware on your Mac may cause an app to freeze and become unresponsive. Malware can also disable some of your Mac’s core apps such as Activity Monitor. Ensure your Mac is up-to-date with the latest antivirus and malware detection software to prevent issues caused by malware.
3. Insufficient storage space
Low storage space on your Mac’s hard drive affects the performance of apps and your Mac’s overall performance. When your Mac’s storage space is scanty, you may not be able to force stop an app. You need to free up some space by deleting unnecessary files or upgrading to a larger storage capacity.
Implications and Recommendations
When an app freezes or becomes unresponsive, it affects your productivity and can be frustrating. By knowing how to force stop an app on your Mac, you can quickly resolve the problem and avoid future occurrences. However, it is essential to diagnose the underlying issue causing the app to freeze and address it to prevent it from happening again. Some of the measurements you can take include keeping your Mac up-to-date, upgrading your hardware if necessary, and freeing up storage space.
5 FAQs About Force Stopping an App on Your Mac
Q1: Does force stopping an app harm my Mac?
A: No, force quitting an app usually does not cause any harm to your Mac. However, be cautious when using the activity monitor app as it contains essential system processes necessary for your Mac’s operation.
Q2: What is the difference between quitting and force quitting an app?
A: Quitting an app closes it normally, and it saves documents and settings before closing. Force quitting an app immediately terminates the app without saving any changes.
Q3: What happens if I force quit the Finder app?
A: It relaunches automatically, but it may affect your Mac’s desktop settings temporarily.
Q4: What should I do if force stopping an app does not work?
A: If force stopping an app does not resolve the issue, you may need to restart your Mac or reach out to an authorized Mac technician for support.
Q5: Can I force stop multiple apps simultaneously?
A: Yes, you can select multiple apps in the ‘Force Quit Applications’ window and click on ‘Force Quit.’
In Conclusion
Knowing how to force stop an app on your Mac is an essential troubleshooting skill that can save you time, frustration, and prevent data loss. This blog has highlighted the different methods to force stop an app on your Mac, the reasons why you may not be able to force stop an app, and the measures you can take to prevent the issue from recurring. Experiment with the various methods to see which works best for you, and always use caution when using applications such as the Activity Monitor.