Closing an app on a Mac using the keyboard can be done in a few simple steps:
1. Bring the app to the foreground: Press Command + Tab to switch between open applications until you reach the app you want to close. Release both keys once the desired app is highlighted.
2. Activate the app’s menu bar: Once the app is in focus, press Command + Shift + (backslash) to activate the app’s menu bar. This will allow you to access the necessary options to close the app.
3. Navigate to the "File" menu: Use the arrow keys (up or down) to navigate to the "File" menu in the menu bar. Most apps have their "Close" option placed in this menu.
4. Choose the "Close" option: Once you’ve located the "File" menu, press the right arrow key to expand it and navigate to the "Close" option. Press Enter or Return to select and close the app.
5. Alternative keyboard shortcut: Some apps, particularly those conforming to macOS guidelines, may offer a keyboard shortcut specifically for closing the app. This is usually Command + W. If available, you can use this shortcut directly to close the app instead of going through the menu bar.
It’s worth noting that not all apps follow the standard macOS conventions, and their specific keyboard shortcuts or menus may differ. However, the steps outlined above should work for the majority of apps on your Mac.
Video Tutorial:How do I close apps running in the background on my Mac?
How do I close an app that won’t force quit on Mac?
Closing an app that won’t force quit on Mac can be frustrating, but there are a few steps you can try to resolve the issue. Here’s a professional point of view on how to close such unresponsive apps:
1. First, try using the Command + Option + Escape key combination. This brings up the Force Quit Applications window, where you can select the problematic app and click "Force Quit" to close it. If this doesn’t work, proceed to the next step.
2. Next, try to force quit the app using the Activity Monitor. You can access it by going to "Applications" → "Utilities" → "Activity Monitor". In the Activity Monitor window, find the misbehaving app, select it, and click on the "X" button located in the upper-left corner. Confirm the action and check if the app closes successfully. If not, move on to the next step.
3. Use the Terminal application to force quit the app. Launch the Terminal from "Applications" → "Utilities" → "Terminal". Type "killall [process name]" without the quotes, replacing [process name] with the name of the app you want to close. Press Enter to execute the command, and the app should close. If not, proceed to the next step.
4. If all else fails, try restarting your Mac. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select "Restart", and wait for your Mac to reboot. After restarting, the troublesome app should be closed. Remember to save any unsaved work before performing a restart.
By following these steps, you should be able to close an app that won’t force quit on your Mac. Keep in mind that it’s always a good practice to save your work regularly, as unresponsive apps can lead to data loss if not handled properly.
What is the shortcut to close an app?
To close an app on the latest iPhone models (such as iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 plus) running iOS 16, follow these steps:
1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle of the screen to enter the App Switcher or multitasking view. You can also use the gesture of swiping left or right on the home indicator to switch between recently used apps.
2. In the App Switcher, you will see the preview cards of the recently used apps. To close an app, swipe the app’s preview card up and off the screen. This gesture indicates that you want to close the app.
3. After swiping up on the app preview, the app will be closed, and you’ll be taken back to the home screen.
By swiping up on the app in the App Switcher, you force close the app and terminate its background processes. This action can help free up system resources and improve overall device performance.
What is the Alt F4 on a Mac?
On a Mac, the equivalent of the Alt F4 shortcut on Windows is the Command + Q shortcut. This combination allows you to close the active application or program. Here are the steps to close an application on a Mac using the Command + Q shortcut:
1. Ensure that the application you want to close is active and in focus.
2. Press and hold the Command key (⌘), which is located next to the space bar.
3. While holding the Command key, press the Q key.
4. The application will close, and its window(s) will be closed as well.
Using the Command + Q shortcut is a quick and convenient way to close applications on a Mac, especially if you have multiple applications open simultaneously.
Note: It’s worth mentioning that the Command + W shortcut is often used to close individual windows within an application, but it doesn’t close the entire application itself.
How do I close my apps running in the background?
To close apps running in the background on your iPhone (specifically iPhone 14 with iOS 16), follow these steps:
1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause for a moment to access the App Switcher. On devices without a home button, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and pause.
2. In the App Switcher, you’ll see the recently used apps displayed as a stack of cards. Swipe left or right to navigate through the apps.
3. To close an app, swipe it up and off the top of the screen. Alternatively, on devices with a home button, you can press and hold an app card until a red minus (-) icon appears in the corner. Tap on the minus icon to close the app.
4. Continue swiping and closing apps until you’ve closed all the ones you don’t need running in the background.
Closing apps running in the background can help preserve battery life and optimize device performance. However, it’s worth noting that iOS manages apps efficiently, and most apps in the background are not actively consuming system resources or impacting your device’s performance. Therefore, closing apps indiscriminately may not necessarily provide a significant benefit.
If you’re experiencing specific issues with an app or notice unusual battery drain, you may consider force-closing the problematic app. To do this:
1. Open the App Switcher following the steps mentioned earlier.
2. Locate the app you want to force-close.
3. On devices with a home button, double-click the home button and swipe up on the app card to force-close it. On devices without a home button, swipe up on the app card to force-close it.
Force-closing apps can be useful in scenarios where an app becomes unresponsive or behaves erratically. However, it’s generally not necessary to force-close apps regularly, as iOS manages resources efficiently to ensure smooth multitasking and app performance.
Why don’t apps close on Mac?
Apps on Mac don’t necessarily close when you click the close button (red button) because of the way macOS manages app processes and resources. Here are a few reasons why this happens:
1. Minimize to Dock: Clicking the close button on an app window doesn’t quit the application itself; instead, it minimizes the app to the Dock, allowing you to quickly access it again. This behavior is different from Windows, where closing the window usually quits the application.
2. App Persistence: macOS is designed to keep apps running in the background to provide a smoother user experience. When you close a window, the app may continue to run in the background, allowing for faster app launch times and preserving the app’s current state. This way, you can resume your work from where you left off without any delays.
3. Menu Bar Access: Many macOS apps have menu bar items that provide quick access to certain features or functionalities. By keeping the app running in the background, these menu bar items remain accessible even after closing the main app window.
4. System Resources: macOS employs a process called App Nap, which intelligently manages system resources by reducing the activity of apps that are not in focus. When you close a window, macOS may prioritize system resources for active apps and put other apps into a lower-power state, conserving energy and maintaining system responsiveness.
5. Multi-Tasking: Mac users often have multiple apps open simultaneously, and closing windows individually might not align with their workflow. By keeping apps running, users can easily switch between apps and resume tasks without having to relaunch them fully.
It’s worth noting that you can force quit an app on Mac by using the Command + Option + Esc shortcut or through the Force Quit Applications window. This allows you to terminate misbehaving apps or free up system resources when needed. However, in normal usage scenarios, macOS’s approach to keeping apps running in the background provides a smoother and more efficient user experience.
Why is force quit not working?
Force quitting refers to the action of forcefully closing an application or process on a device. If force quit is not working, it can be due to several reasons. Here are some possible explanations and steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:
1. Software glitch: Force quitting may not work if there is a software glitch or bug in the operating system. To resolve this, you can try restarting your device. Press and hold the power button, then swipe to power off. After a few seconds, turn your device back on and try force quitting the app again.
2. Unresponsive application: Sometimes, force quit may fail if the application itself is unresponsive. In this case, try a different approach to close the app. On iOS, you can double-click the home button (or swipe up from the bottom edge on devices without a home button) to access the app switcher. Swipe left or right to locate the problematic app and swipe it up or off the screen to close it.
3. System resource issue: If your device is low on memory or system resources, force quitting may not work as intended. Close any unnecessary apps running in the background to free up resources. You can do this by accessing the app switcher (as mentioned in the previous point) and swiping up on apps you want to close. Alternatively, restarting your device can also help clear up resources.
4. System restrictions or settings: It’s possible that certain system settings or restrictions prevent force quitting from working properly. Check if there are any restrictions enabled on your device that limit force quitting or app management. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions (or similar) to review these settings.
5. Update your software: Ensure that your device is running the latest version of iOS. Apple often releases updates that address software issues and improve overall performance. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for any available updates. If an update is available, download and install it.
6. Contact customer support: If the problem persists, it may be worth reaching out to the customer support of your device manufacturer. They should be able to provide further guidance and assistance specific to your device and operating system version.
Remember, force quitting should generally be used as a last resort for unresponsive or malfunctioning apps. It’s recommended to try other troubleshooting steps or seek help before resorting to force quitting.
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This behavior is different from Windows, where closing the window usually quits the application.nn2. App Persistence: macOS is designed to keep apps running in the background to provide a smoother user experience. When you close a window, the app may continue to run in the background, allowing for faster app launch times and preserving the app’s current state. This way, you can resume your work from where you left off without any delays.nn3. Menu Bar Access: Many macOS apps have menu bar items that provide quick access to certain features or functionalities. By keeping the app running in the background, these menu bar items remain accessible even after closing the main app window.nn4. System Resources: macOS employs a process called App Nap, which intelligently manages system resources by reducing the activity of apps that are not in focus. When you close a window, macOS may prioritize system resources for active apps and put other apps into a lower-power state, conserving energy and maintaining system responsiveness.nn5. Multi-Tasking: Mac users often have multiple apps open simultaneously, and closing windows individually might not align with their workflow. By keeping apps running, users can easily switch between apps and resume tasks without having to relaunch them fully.nnIt’s worth noting that you can force quit an app on Mac by using the Command + Option + Esc shortcut or through the Force Quit Applications window. This allows you to terminate misbehaving apps or free up system resources when needed. However, in normal usage scenarios, macOS’s approach to keeping apps running in the background provides a smoother and more efficient user experience."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Why is force quit not working?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Force quitting refers to the action of forcefully closing an application or process on a device. If force quit is not working, it can be due to several reasons. Here are some possible explanations and steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:nn1. Software glitch: Force quitting may not work if there is a software glitch or bug in the operating system. To resolve this, you can try restarting your device. Press and hold the power button, then swipe to power off. After a few seconds, turn your device back on and try force quitting the app again.nn2. Unresponsive application: Sometimes, force quit may fail if the application itself is unresponsive. In this case, try a different approach to close the app. On iOS, you can double-click the home button (or swipe up from the bottom edge on devices without a home button) to access the app switcher. Swipe left or right to locate the problematic app and swipe it up or off the screen to close it.nn3. System resource issue: If your device is low on memory or system resources, force quitting may not work as intended. Close any unnecessary apps running in the background to free up resources. You can do this by accessing the app switcher (as mentioned in the previous point) and swiping up on apps you want to close. Alternatively, restarting your device can also help clear up resources.nn4. System restrictions or settings: It’s possible that certain system settings or restrictions prevent force quitting from working properly. Check if there are any restrictions enabled on your device that limit force quitting or app management. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions (or similar) to review these settings.nn5. Update your software: Ensure that your device is running the latest version of iOS. Apple often releases updates that address software issues and improve overall performance. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for any available updates. If an update is available, download and install it.nn6. Contact customer support: If the problem persists, it may be worth reaching out to the customer support of your device manufacturer. They should be able to provide further guidance and assistance specific to your device and operating system version.nnRemember, force quitting should generally be used as a last resort for unresponsive or malfunctioning apps. It’s recommended to try other troubleshooting steps or seek help before resorting to force quitting."}}]}
