How to force quit on a Mac when an app freezes

Option Command Escape is the Mac's Ctrl Alt Delete. Four ways to force quit a frozen app, what you lose when you do, and what to try if the whole Mac is stuck.

Guide · Updated 22 October 2026

What is the shortcut to force quit on a Mac?

Press ⌥ ⌘ Esc. The Force Quit Applications window opens, listing every open app. Apps that are not responding are marked. Pick one and click Force Quit.

What are the other ways to force quit?

  • From the Dock: hold ⌥ and right click the app's icon. Quit turns into Force Quit.
  • From the Apple menu: choose Force Quit, which opens the same window as the shortcut.
  • From Activity Monitor: select the app, click the stop button, then Force Quit.
  • Force quit the front app at once: hold ⌥ ⌘ ⇧ Esc for about three seconds.

What happens when you force quit?

The app is closed at once, without saving. Work you had not saved in that app is lost, though apps such as Pages and TextEdit often keep an autosaved copy and offer it back when you reopen them. Other apps are not touched.

What if the whole Mac is frozen?

If the pointer moves but nothing else does, try ⌥ ⌘ Esc first and force quit the app in front. If Finder or the Dock is the problem, see how to relaunch Finder and a frozen Dock. If nothing responds at all, hold the power button until the Mac turns off, wait a few seconds, and turn it on again.

To see which app is working hardest, use Activity Monitor, the Mac's Task Manager.

Questions

What is Ctrl Alt Delete on a Mac?

Option Command Escape. It opens the Force Quit Applications window.

How do I force quit from the Dock?

Hold Option and right click the app's Dock icon, then choose Force Quit.

Will I lose my work if I force quit?

Anything unsaved in that app may be lost. Many apps keep an autosaved copy and offer it when reopened.

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