How to force an app to quit when it doesnt appear in FORCE QUIT?

The title says it all. It's a simple question that doesnt require a billion-word description.


MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Oct 30, 2023 12:17 PM

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12 replies

Oct 30, 2023 1:47 PM in response to KiltedTim

I guess we have a communications problem. Here's the scoop:

  1. Right-click app in Finder, then click "send to trash."
  2. Tiny window pops up and says "cant do because app is open."
  3. Open force quit.
  4. Surprise! Force quit doesnt show app. (Checked lots for eyesight problems.)
  5. Then I ask my question thinking a useful answer would appear.
  6. Get 2 answers that are not answers or are they useful.
  7. Perhaps 3rd (and last) time is a charm.


Oct 30, 2023 2:09 PM in response to Walshrd

Walshrd wrote:

1. I guess we have a communications problem. Here's the scoop:
Right-click app in Finder, then click "send to trash."
2. Tiny window pops up and says "cant do because app is open."
3. Open force quit.
4. Surprise! Force quit doesnt show app. (Checked lots for eyesight problems.)
5. Then I ask my question thinking a useful answer would appear.
6. Get 2 answers that are not answers or are they useful.
7. Perhaps 3rd (and last) time is a charm.

Last time I'll ask: WHAT APP?

Oct 30, 2023 2:21 PM in response to Walshrd

There are Unix command line tools that you can use to list and kill processes, including background ones which would not show up as applications in the Force Quit list. Unix command line tools can be very powerful – in the hands of someone who knows how to use them, and has Admin (sudo) privileges.


They can also be very dangerous.


If you are asking for a gift-wrapped solution that is (1) perfectly safe, (2) guaranteed to work, and (3) requires no cooperation on your part, I think you're going to be disappointed. This is a mostly user-to-user forum, where the people replying to you are not Apple employees and are not paid to help you.


How to force an app to quit when it doesnt appear in FORCE QUIT?

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