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    Mac Guides
    Intermediate
    1 min read 4 stepsFebruary 1, 2026Verified February 2026

    How to Force Quit Frozen Apps on Mac

    When an app stops responding, force quit it to regain control of your Mac.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Mac Guides
    Difficulty
    Intermediate
    Read Time
    1 min read
    Steps
    4
    Topics covered
    intermediate
    mac
    force-quit
    frozen
    troubleshooting

    In this guide (4 steps):

    1. 1.Use the keyboard shortcut
    2. 2.Select the frozen app
    3. 3.Click Force Quit
    4. 4.Alternative method
    1

    Use the keyboard shortcut

    ~15s
    Press Cmd+Option+Esc to open the Force Quit Applications window.
    2

    Select the frozen app

    ~15s
    In the Force Quit window, click the unresponsive app (it may say "Not Responding").
    3

    Click Force Quit

    ~15s
    Click "Force Quit" and confirm. The app will close right away.
    4

    Alternative method

    ~15s
    Click the Apple menuForce Quit. Or right-click the app in the Dock with Option heldForce Quit.

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    intermediate
    mac
    force-quit
    frozen
    troubleshooting

    Official Resources

    Apple SupportHow-To Geek — MacApple Support YouTube

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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