SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aplus-mac-force-quit

How do you force quit an unresponsive Mac app from the menu bar?

Apple menu > Force Quit, then pick the app.

Start playing free

  1. Finder menu, then Empty Trash
  2. Apple menu, then Force Quit ✔
  3. Dock menu, then Hide

Why: If an app does not quit as expected, choose Apple menu > Force Quit, select the app, and click Force Quit. You may lose unsaved changes.

Huh, didn't know that: The keyboard shortcut Option-Command-Esc also opens the Force Quit window.

The dad joke
Force Quit is the office door slam of the Mac world.
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References

Answer: Apple menu, then Force Quit. If an app does not quit as expected, choose Apple menu > Force Quit, select the app, and click Force Quit. You may lose unsaved changes.

  1. How to force an app to quit on Mac, Apple Support support.apple.com/en-us/102586
    Or choose Force Quit from the Apple menu
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  2. Mac keyboard shortcuts, Apple Support support.apple.com/en-us/102650
    Option-Command-Esc: Force quit an app.
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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