How to force quit a frozen app
Press these three keys together: Option, Command, and Esc (Escape). Or choose Force Quit from the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of your screen. (This is similar to pressing Control-Alt-Delete on a PC.) Then select the app in the Force Quit window and click Force Quit.
Force quitting a frozen app on a Mac can be necessary for a few reasons:
- Unresponsive Application: If an app is frozen and not responding to any commands, you won't be able to close it normally. Force quitting allows you to terminate the app so you can restart it or free up system resources.
- System Performance: A frozen app can use significant system resources, slowing down your Mac. Force quitting the app can help restore normal performance.
- Prevent Data Loss: If an app is frozen, it might prevent you from saving your work. Force quitting can sometimes help you regain control and prevent further data loss.
- Resolve Software Conflicts: Sometimes apps may conflict with each other or with system processes. Force quitting the problematic app can resolve these conflicts and restore normal function.
I would also advise pulling up your Activity Monitor. Checking your Activity Monitor on a Mac can be incredibly useful for several reasons:
- Monitor System Performance: Activity Monitor shows how much CPU, memory, disk, and network resources your apps and processes are using. This can help you understand why your Mac might be running slow.
- Identify Resource-Intensive Apps: If your Mac is sluggish, you can see which apps are consuming the most resources and decide if you need to close or manage them differently.
- Troubleshoot Issues: You can detect problematic apps or processes that might be causing your Mac to overheat, crash, or freeze. This is especially useful for diagnosing performance issues.
- Manage Startup Programs: Activity Monitor helps you see which programs start automatically when you log in, giving you control over what runs in the background.
- Memory Management: By checking memory usage, you can determine if your Mac is running low on memory and whether you need to close some apps to free up resources.
- Security Checks: You can spot any unusual or unknown processes that might indicate malware or security issues, allowing you to take appropriate action.
Overall, regularly checking your Activity Monitor can help you maintain your Mac's performance and health, ensuring it runs smoothly and efficiently.