Mac comes with a plethora of amazing applications that make life easier for users. But, there may come a time when you need to quit an application, be it due to a bug or because the application is unresponsive. Although quitting an application on Mac may seem like a simple task, it can sometimes be tricky, especially for new users. In this article, we’ll take you through the steps you need to follow to quit an application on Mac seamlessly. Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Steps:
Step 1: Use the Keyboard Shortcut Command + Q
One of the easiest and most efficient ways to quit an application on Mac is by using the keyboard shortcut Command + Q. This shortcut works on almost all applications on Mac. Simply ensure that the application is the foreground app before using the shortcut. This will cause the app to be forcefully closed immediately.
Step 2: Quit from the Dock
Another simple method of quitting an application on Mac is by using the dock. This method saves you the hassle of having to look for the app in the Finder. To do this, locate the app in the dock, right-click on it, and choose ‘Quit.’ The application will automatically close.
Step 3: Quit from the Menu Bar
Most apps have an option that allows users to quit them from the menu bar, making it easy for users to quit them without having to navigate elsewhere. To quit an app from the menu bar, click on the app name in the menu bar, and select ‘Quit.’
Step 4: Force Quit
Sometimes an application may become unresponsive, in which case the methods mentioned above may not work. In that scenario, users can force quit the application. To do this, hold down the Option key and right-click on the frozen application in the dock. Then select ‘Force Quit’ from the pop-up menu, and the application will close immediately.
Step 5: Use the Apple Menu
The Apple menu is another option users can use to quit applications on Mac. To do this, click on the Apple icon located on the top left corner of the screen, select ‘Force Quit,’ and choose the applications you want to quit.
Step 6: Use the Activity Monitor
The Activity Monitor is a handy tool that can be used to quit applications that are running in the background. To access the Activity Monitor, go to Launchpad and search for it. Once you find it, launch it, select the application you want to quit, and click on the ‘Quit’ button located on the top left corner of the Activity Monitor window.
Step 7: Quit via Terminal
The Terminal app is another option available for quitting applications on Mac. To do this, search for the Terminal app on Launchpad, open it, and type in the command ‘killall [processname],’ where ‘processname’ is the name of the application you want to quit.
Step 8: Use the Command Line Interface
Mac also has a command-line interface that can be used to quit applications. To do this, open the Terminal app and type in the command ‘kill [PID],’ where ‘PID’ is the process ID of the application you want to quit. You can find the PID by using the ‘pgrep [processname]’ command.
Step 9: Use Automator
Automator is a built-in app on Mac that can be used to create automated workflows. Users can create a workflow that includes quitting an application and save it as a script. To do this, launch Automator, and select ‘Application’ when prompted. Next, add the ‘Quit Application’ action to the workflow, save the script, and double-click on it to quit the application.
Step 10: Log Out and Log In
In extreme cases where nothing seems to work, users can log out of their accounts and log back in. This will close all open applications, and consequently, restart the system, making it possible to re-open closed apps.
Step 11: Restart the Mac
Another option users have is to restart their Mac. Although this may seem like an extreme option, it could help fix any underlying issues that may be causing the application to misbehave. After restarting, try reopening the app that was causing the problem to see if it works.
Step 12: Contact Support
If none of the above methods works, it may be time to contact support. Apple has a dedicated support team that can help users address issues they may have with their Mac.
Explanation:
Now that we’ve gone through the steps involved in quitting an application on Mac let’s discuss them in more detail.
Using the Keyboard Shortcut Command + Q:
As mentioned before, this is one of the quickest and easiest ways to quit an application on Mac. If you have multiple applications open, you can use this shortcut to quit them one at a time instead of having to close each one manually.
Quit from the Dock:
This method can come in handy when you have too many applications open, and you’re having a hard time locating the app you want to quit. It can also be used when an application is unresponsive, and you need to force it to close.
Quit from the Menu Bar:
This method is ideal for users who prefer to use the menu bar instead of the dock. It can also be used for applications that don’t have an icon in the dock.
Force Quit:
This method is useful when an application is unresponsive and refuses to close through any of the methods mentioned above. Force quitting an app will force it to shut down immediately, allowing you to restart or reopen it.
Using the Apple Menu:
This method is similar to using the dock, except that you access the ‘Force Quit’ option from the Apple menu instead of right-clicking on the app icon.
Using the Activity Monitor:
The Activity Monitor can be used to quit applications that are running in the background. It’s also useful for locating applications that may be consuming too much system resources.
Quit via Terminal:
Although using the Terminal app may seem daunting for new users, it’s a powerful tool that can be used to automate tasks, troubleshoot issues, and yes, quit applications.
Use the Command Line Interface:
Similar to using the Terminal app, the command-line interface allows users to execute commands to quit applications and perform other tasks on their Mac.
Using Automator:
Automator is a powerful app that can be used to create workflows that automate repetitive tasks, such as quitting an application. Users can create a workflow that includes ‘Quit Application’ as one of the actions and save it as a script.
Log Out and Log In:
While not the most efficient method, logging out of your account and logging back in can resolve issues with misbehaving applications as well as memory and system issues.
Restart the Mac:
Restarting the Mac can clear system caches and temporary files, resolving issues with unresponsive applications.
Contact Support:
When all else fails, contacting support can help resolve issues with your Mac and applications. Apple has a dedicated support team that can help users with technical issues.
Tips and Tricks:
1. When using the ‘Force Quit’ method, be careful not to accidentally quit other applications. Select only the app you want to quit.
2. Make sure to save any unsaved work before quitting an application, as doing so will cause you to lose unsaved changes.
3. Use the Activity Monitor to check which applications are consuming the most system resources. Quitting resource-hogging applications can improve overall system performance.
4. If an application is constantly misbehaving, try resetting it to its default settings or uninstalling and reinstalling it.
5. If you frequently use Automator, consider adding the ‘Quit Application’ action to your workflows to make it easier to quit apps.
6. When using the Terminal app or command line interface to quit applications, ensure that you know the exact name of the app and its process ID.
7. If your Mac is running slow, consider disabling apps that launch automatically at startup to free up system resources.
8. Always ensure that your Mac is running the latest version of the operating system and that applications are up to date. This may help resolve issues with misbehaving applications.
9. Try not to have too many applications open at once as this can result in system slowdowns and stability issues.
10. Back up your data regularly to avoid losing important data in the event of a system crash or other issue.
And there you have it, folks! Quitting an application on Mac can be done in a variety of ways, and hopefully, this guide has given you an idea of how to do it seamlessly. Remember, if one method doesn’t work, there are plenty of others you can try. So, go ahead, give them a try, and become a Mac application quitting pro!
Advantages and Disadvantages of How to Quit Application on Mac
Knowing how to quit an application on your Mac can be very helpful, especially when you have several apps running at the same time and your computer starts to slow down. However, there are both advantages and disadvantages to quitting applications on a regular basis.
Advantages
1. Improved performance: When you quit applications that you no longer need, you can significantly improve the performance of your Mac. This is because the system does not have to waste resources on running unnecessary applications.
2. More storage space: Every application that you open on your Mac takes up some storage space, even if it’s just a few megabytes. By quitting applications that you no longer need, you can free up some space on your hard drive.
3. Better security: Some applications may pose a security risk by running in the background. By quitting these applications, you can reduce the chances of your Mac being infected by malware or other types of viruses.
4. Easier to organize: When you have too many applications running at the same time, it can be difficult to keep track of what you’re doing. By quitting applications that you no longer need, you can keep your desktop organized and make it easier to find what you need.
5. Energy savings: Running too many applications can cause your Mac to consume more energy than necessary. By quitting applications that you no longer need, you can save energy and extend the life of your battery.
Disadvantages
1. Loss of data: If you haven’t saved your work before you close an application, you may lose some of your data. This can be frustrating, especially if you’ve spent a lot of time on a project.
2. Slower processing: If you quit an application and then immediately open it again, it may take longer to load than if it had been left open. This can slow down your work process and make you less productive.
3. Frustration when re-opening: If you quit an application and then realize that you need it again a few minutes later, you may feel frustrated when you have to wait for it to load again.
4. Interrupting processes: Some applications, such as email clients, may have processes running in the background that are interrupted when you quit the app. This can cause problems, such as not receiving emails or missing important notifications.
5. Not ideal for certain applications: Some applications are designed to be run continuously in the background, such as anti-virus software or backup programs. Quitting these applications may interfere with their normal functioning and reduce their effectiveness.
In conclusion, knowing how to quit an application on your Mac can be very useful, but it’s important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before doing so. By doing this, you can ensure that you’re making the best use of your computer’s resources while avoiding potential problems.
FAQ
1. How do I quit an application on a Mac?
You can quit an application by clicking on the application menu in the top left corner of the screen, then selecting “Quit [application name]”. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Command + Q”.
2. What should I do if an application on my Mac is not responding?
If an application on your Mac is not responding, you can try Force Quitting it by clicking on the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen, selecting “Force Quit”, then selecting the application from the list and clicking “Force Quit”.
3. Can I quit all applications at once on my Mac?
No, you cannot quit all applications at once on your Mac. You will need to quit each application individually.
4. How do I know which application is causing my Mac to run slowly?
You can check which applications are using the most resources by opening the Activity Monitor, which can be found in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. From there, you can see which applications are using the most CPU, memory, and network resources.
5. Can I quit an application from the Dock?
Yes, you can quit an application from the Dock by right-clicking on the application icon, then selecting “Quit [application name]”.
6. What happens if I force quit an application?
If you force quit an application, it will immediately close and any unsaved changes may be lost. It is always best to try and quit an application normally before resorting to force quitting.
7. How do I restart an application on my Mac?
You can restart an application by quitting it and then opening it again from the Applications folder or Dock.
8. How do I prevent an application from automatically opening when I start my Mac?
You can prevent an application from automatically opening by going to System Preferences, then selecting “Users & Groups” and clicking on your username. From there, select “Login Items” and uncheck the box next to the application you do not want to open automatically.
9. Can I quit an application while it is still saving a file?
You can quit an application while it is still saving a file, but any unsaved changes will be lost. It is always best to wait until the application has finished saving before quitting it.
10. What should I do if an application is frozen on my Mac?
If an application is frozen on your Mac, you can try force quitting it by following the steps in FAQ #2. If that does not work, you may need to restart your Mac.
11. How do I know if an application is running in the background on my Mac?
You can check which applications are running in the background by opening the Activity Monitor, which can be found in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. From there, you can see which applications are using resources even if they are not currently open.
12. Can I quit an application from the command line on my Mac?
Yes, you can quit an application from the command line by using the “kill” command followed by the PID (process identifier) of the application. This should only be used as a last resort, and you should try quitting the application normally or force quitting it first.
13. Is it safe to quit an application on my Mac?
Yes, it is safe to quit an application on your Mac. However, any unsaved changes may be lost, so it is always best to save your work before quitting an application.
How to Quit Application on Mac
Mac is one of the best computer operating systems in the world, but sometimes we need to quit an application that is not responding or has frozen. In this article, we will learn how to quit an application on Mac in a few easy steps.
Conclusion and Closing
Quitting an application is an easy task on Mac, you just need to know the correct method to do it. In this article, we have discussed three easy ways to quit an application on Mac, and we hope that you find this article helpful.
Remember that quitting an application that is not responding or has frozen can help you save your work and prevent your Mac from slowing down. So, if an application is not responding, do not wait for it to respond, just quit it and relaunch it.
If you face any issue regarding quitting an application on Mac, feel free to ask us in the comments section below. We will be more than happy to assist you with your queries.
We hope that this article has helped you learn how to quit an application on Mac. Thank you for reading this article, and we wish you all the best. See you in the next article!