How to Kill Processes and Terminate Unresponsive Programs in macOS

While using the macOS system, it's inevitable that you'll encounter situations where programs become unresponsive. In such cases, it's crucial to know how to kill processes promptly. Unlike Linux systems, macOS does not have a command like "xkill." Below are several common methods to kill processes in macOS.

Using the "Force Quit Applications" Window for Precise Operations

If you want to precisely select the program you want to quit, you can use the "Force Quit Applications" window. Press the "Command + Option + Esc" keys simultaneously, and the system will open the "Force Quit Applications" window. Here, you can clearly see all the currently running programs. Find the program you want to quit, then click the "Force Quit" button to close it. This method is suitable when you need to perform specific operations on a particular program, allowing you to address issues more effectively.

Quick Shortcut for "One-Click" Force Quit

When a program suddenly freezes or becomes unresponsive, don't panic. Simply press and hold the "Command + Option + Shift + Esc" keys for one or two seconds, and the unresponsive program will be forcefully quit. This method is simple and quick, helping you to quickly resolve unresponsive program issues and minimize interruptions to your work or entertainment.

Besides the above straightforward methods, advanced users familiar with terminal operations might find using terminal commands to kill processes more flexible.

In the terminal, enter the "ps -ax" command to list all running processes, including their Process IDs (PIDs), the users they belong to, CPU usage, and more. If you want to find processes with a specific name, use the "ps -ax | grep process_name" command. For example, to find the Safari browser process, enter "ps -ax | grep Safari."

Once you know the PID of the target process, use the "kill -9 PID" command to forcefully terminate it. The "-9" option sends the SIGKILL signal, which immediately stops the process. For example, if the target process PID is 1234, enter "kill -9 1234." Additionally, if you want to kill all processes with a specific name, use the "pkill -9 process_name" command. For instance, to close all Safari processes, enter "pkill -9 Safari."

By mastering these methods to kill processes in macOS, you can more confidently handle unresponsive programs and ensure a smoother computing experience. Keep these methods handy for when you need them.