Close a frozen app on your Mac
Mac; one unresponsive app
When to use this: Close a frozen app on your Mac — use these initial checks when this matches your situation. On a work or school device, follow your organization's policies and stop if a setting is managed.
- Wait briefly if the app is completing a large task.
- Try the app’s normal Quit command.
- If it remains unresponsive, choose Force Quit from the Apple menu.
- Select only the affected app, then confirm Force Quit.
- Reopen it and check the last saved work.
Check the result: The app responds again.
Stop and get help when needed: Force Quit can lose unsaved changes. If many apps repeatedly freeze, stop and seek investigation before reinstalling anything.
Need hands-on help?: Request DefenderTech support for individualized investigation or changes. We will explain the scope and estimate and ask for authorization before paid work begins. Do not include passwords, recovery keys or verification codes in your request.
Official references: - Apple guidance: https://support.apple.com/en-au/102586
Updated 2026-09-30