Task Manager on Mac: how to see and close running apps
By Junaid, maker of Taskglass · Updated
The Mac's version of Task Manager is Activity Monitor: press ⌘ Space, type Activity Monitor and press Return. To close a frozen app quickly, press Option-Command-Escape (⌥⌘Esc), the Mac's Ctrl+Alt+Delete, then pick the app and click Force Quit.
How to use the Mac's Task Manager
- 1
Force quit a frozen app
Press ⌥⌘Esc (or choose Apple menu › Force Quit), select the app and click Force Quit.
- 2
Open Activity Monitor
Press ⌘ Space, type Activity Monitor and press Return. To keep it handy, right-click its Dock icon and choose Options › Keep in Dock.
- 3
End a process
Select it, click the Stop button (✕) in the toolbar, then choose Quit, or Force Quit if it doesn't respond.
- 4
See what uses resources
The CPU, Memory, Energy, Disk and Network tabs work like Task Manager's Processes and Performance views. Click a column to sort.
- 5
Manage startup apps
Choose Apple menu › System Settings › General › Login Items to see apps that open at login or run in the background.
Windows Task Manager on a Mac
| On Windows | On a Mac |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+Alt+Delete | ⌥⌘Esc opens Force Quit |
| End task | Force Quit, or Activity Monitor's Stop button (✕) |
| Processes tab | Activity Monitor › CPU and Memory tabs |
| Performance tab | Activity Monitor › Window › CPU History and GPU History |
| App history | Activity Monitor › Energy › 12 hr Power |
| Startup apps | System Settings › General › Login Items |
What's the Mac shortcut for Ctrl+Alt+Delete?
Option-Command-Escape (⌥⌘Esc) opens the Force Quit window. There's no single screen with lock, sign out and Task Manager as on Windows; those are in the Apple menu.
Why does Activity Monitor show so many processes?
macOS and apps split their work into many small processes. Browsers run one per tab or extension, so Chrome alone can show dozens of Google Chrome Helper rows. Most of them are normal.
Is it safe to force quit processes?
Force quitting an app is safe, but you lose unsaved work. Be careful with system processes: quitting WindowServer logs you out, and many system processes simply restart. Look a process up before you quit it.
How Taskglass helps
Taskglass works like a friendlier Task Manager: helpers are grouped under their app, every process is explained in plain English with an “Is this safe?” badge, and you can quit or force quit from the same place.
See how it worksQuestions
How do I open Task Manager on a Mac?
Open Activity Monitor: press ⌘ Space, type Activity Monitor and press Return.
How do I end a task on a Mac?
In Activity Monitor, select the process and click the Stop button (✕) in the toolbar, then Quit or Force Quit. For a frozen app, press ⌥⌘Esc.
How do I see startup programs on a Mac?
Choose Apple menu › System Settings › General › Login Items. It lists apps that open at login and apps allowed to run in the background.
Processes you might see
- WindowServerDraws every window, menu and animation you see on screen, and routes your clicks and keystrokes.
- kernel_taskThe core of macOS itself. It also holds busy apps back on purpose to stop your Mac overheating.
- Google Chrome Helper (Renderer)Runs web pages and extensions for Chrome; usually one per site or extension.
- launchdThe first process macOS starts. It launches and supervises nearly every other background process.
- mds_storesMaintains Spotlight's search index on disk, updating it as files change.
- loginwindowHandles logging in and out, the lock screen, and keeps your user session running.