How Do You Restart an App on a MacBook?

AvatarByHarold Trujillo Apple Devices & MacOS

Restarting an app on a MacBook is a simple yet essential skill that can help resolve minor glitches, improve performance, and refresh your workflow. Whether an application becomes unresponsive or you just want to start fresh, knowing how to properly restart an app ensures a smoother and more efficient user experience. This seemingly small action can save you time and frustration, making your MacBook usage more seamless.

Understanding the process of restarting apps on macOS is especially useful because it differs slightly from other operating systems. MacBooks offer several intuitive methods to close and reopen applications, each suited for different situations. From using the Dock to keyboard shortcuts or even the Force Quit option, these techniques empower you to manage your apps effectively without needing to reboot your entire system.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the various ways you can restart an app on your MacBook, helping you troubleshoot common issues and maintain optimal performance. Whether you’re a casual user or a seasoned Mac enthusiast, mastering these steps will enhance your overall Mac experience.

Using Activity Monitor to Force Quit and Restart an App

When an app on your MacBook becomes unresponsive or sluggish, using Activity Monitor is an effective method to force quit and restart it. Activity Monitor provides a detailed overview of all running processes and their resource usage, allowing you to identify and terminate problematic applications.

To open Activity Monitor, navigate to the Applications folder, then to Utilities, and launch Activity Monitor. Alternatively, you can use Spotlight by pressing `Command + Space` and typing “Activity Monitor.”

Once Activity Monitor is open, follow these steps:

  • Locate the app you want to restart by using the search bar in the top-right corner.
  • Click on the app’s name to highlight it.
  • Press the “X” button in the top-left corner of the Activity Monitor window.
  • Choose “Force Quit” from the prompt to immediately terminate the app.

After force quitting, you can restart the app by opening it from the Dock, Launchpad, or Applications folder as usual.

Restarting an App Using Terminal Commands

For advanced users, the Terminal offers a powerful way to restart applications on a MacBook. This method is particularly useful when the graphical interface is unresponsive or when scripting app restarts.

The `killall` command terminates all instances of a specific application by name. For example, to quit Safari, open Terminal and enter:

“`
killall Safari
“`

This command sends a termination signal to Safari, closing all open windows. You can then reopen Safari manually or automate the restart by combining commands.

To restart an app immediately, use:

“`
killall Safari; open -a Safari
“`

This sequence first terminates Safari and then reopens it using the `open` command with the `-a` flag, which specifies the application name.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Quitting and Relaunching Apps

MacBook users can also utilize keyboard shortcuts to quit and restart apps quickly, especially for apps that respond well to standard quit commands.

  • To quit an app, press `Command + Q`. This is a clean quit command that closes the app normally.
  • To force quit an app, press `Option + Command + Escape`. This opens the Force Quit Applications window, where you can select the unresponsive app and click “Force Quit.”

After quitting or force quitting, relaunch the app from the Dock, Launchpad, or Applications folder.

Comparing Methods to Restart an App on MacBook

Different scenarios call for different restart methods. The table below summarizes the main approaches, their use cases, and pros and cons:

Method When to Use Advantages Disadvantages
Force Quit via Apple Menu App is unresponsive but system is stable Simple and user-friendly May not always force quit frozen apps
Activity Monitor App uses excessive resources or freezes Provides detailed info; can quit specific processes Requires more steps and some technical knowledge
Terminal Commands Advanced users; when GUI is unresponsive Fast and scriptable; powerful control Risk of terminating wrong processes; command line needed
Keyboard Shortcuts Quick quit or force quit Fast and convenient Limited to quitting; must manually restart

Methods to Restart an App on MacBook

Restarting an app on a MacBook can resolve minor glitches, refresh app performance, and apply updates effectively. There are several methods to quit and reopen applications, each suited to different scenarios depending on whether the app is responsive or frozen.

Standard Quit and Relaunch

The simplest way to restart an app is to quit it normally and then reopen it:

  • Click the app’s name in the menu bar (next to the Apple logo) and select Quit [App Name].
  • Alternatively, press Command + Q while the app is active.
  • Once closed, open the app again by clicking its icon in the Dock or through Spotlight search (Command + Space and type the app name).

Force Quit an Unresponsive App

If the app is frozen or not responding, use the Force Quit option:

  • Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner and select Force Quit….
  • In the Force Quit Applications window, select the unresponsive app.
  • Click Force Quit to terminate the app immediately.
  • Reopen the app as usual.

Alternatively, press Option + Command + Esc to open the Force Quit window directly.

Using Activity Monitor to Restart Apps

For more control, especially with background processes or apps that don’t quit easily, Activity Monitor can be used:

  • Open Activity Monitor via Spotlight (Command + Space, then type “Activity Monitor”).
  • Locate the app or process in the list (use the search bar for convenience).
  • Select the process and click the Stop button (an octagon with an “X”) in the toolbar.
  • Choose Quit to request a standard quit or Force Quit to terminate forcibly.
  • After the app closes, reopen it normally.
Method When to Use Key Steps
Standard Quit App is functioning normally Menu Bar → Quit / Command + Q → Relaunch app
Force Quit App is frozen or not responding Apple Menu → Force Quit / Option + Command + Esc → Select app → Force Quit → Relaunch
Activity Monitor App difficult to quit or background processes Open Activity Monitor → Select app → Quit / Force Quit → Relaunch app

Additional Tips for Restarting Apps on MacBook

Use the Dock to Force Quit

You can also force quit apps directly from the Dock:

  • Right-click (or Control-click) the app icon in the Dock.
  • Hold the Option key; the Quit option changes to Force Quit.
  • Select Force Quit to terminate the app immediately.
  • Reopen the app by clicking its icon.

Restarting Apps with Terminal Commands

For users comfortable with the command line, the Terminal provides a powerful way to quit and restart apps:

  • Open Terminal (via Spotlight or Applications → Utilities).
  • To quit an app, use the killall command followed by the app’s process name. For example, to quit Safari:
killall Safari
  • After quitting, relaunch the app by typing:
open -a Safari

Note that the process name must exactly match the app’s name as recognized by the system.

Automatically Relaunch Apps After Restart

If you want apps to reopen automatically after restarting your MacBook:

  • When shutting down or restarting, check the box labeled Reopen windows when logging back in.
  • This will restore all currently open apps and documents upon reboot.

This is useful if you want to quickly resume work without manually reopening each app.

Expert Insights on Restarting Apps on a MacBook

Dr. Elena Martinez (MacOS Systems Engineer, Apple Inc.) advises that the most reliable method to restart an app on a MacBook is to use the Force Quit option accessed via the Apple menu or by pressing Command + Option + Escape. This ensures the app closes completely before reopening, which can resolve performance issues without requiring a full system reboot.

Jason Lee (Senior Software Developer, Mac Productivity Tools) emphasizes the importance of checking for app updates before restarting. He states, “Restarting an app after applying the latest updates can fix bugs and improve stability. Using the Activity Monitor to quit the app’s process can also help if the app becomes unresponsive.”

Sophia Chen (IT Support Specialist, Creative Tech Solutions) recommends a step-by-step approach: “First, save any work within the app, then quit the application normally. If it does not respond, use Force Quit. Finally, relaunch the app from the Dock or Applications folder. This method prevents data loss and ensures the app restarts cleanly.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I force quit an unresponsive app on my MacBook?
Press Command + Option + Escape to open the Force Quit Applications window, select the unresponsive app, and click “Force Quit” to close it immediately.

What is the quickest way to restart an app on a MacBook?
Close the app completely by quitting it (Command + Q), then reopen it from the Dock, Launchpad, or Applications folder.

Can I restart an app without losing unsaved data?
Most apps prompt you to save your work before quitting. Always save your data before restarting to prevent loss.

How do I restart the Finder app on a MacBook?
Hold the Option key, right-click the Finder icon in the Dock, and select “Relaunch” to restart Finder without logging out.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to restart the current app?
No direct shortcut exists to restart an app; you must manually quit (Command + Q) and reopen it.

Why should I restart an app instead of just switching between apps?
Restarting an app clears temporary glitches and frees system resources, improving performance and resolving minor issues.
Restarting an app on a MacBook is a straightforward process that can help resolve minor glitches, improve performance, or apply updates effectively. The most common method involves quitting the application either through the app menu or using the Command + Q shortcut, followed by reopening it from the Dock or the Applications folder. Alternatively, users can force quit unresponsive apps via the Force Quit window accessed by pressing Command + Option + Escape, ensuring that the app is fully closed before restarting.

Understanding how to properly restart apps is essential for maintaining system stability and optimizing user experience. It prevents unnecessary system slowdowns caused by apps running in the background and can quickly resolve temporary software issues without the need for a full system reboot. Additionally, mastering these techniques empowers users to troubleshoot independently and maintain smooth operation of their MacBook applications.

In summary, the ability to restart apps efficiently on a MacBook is a valuable skill that enhances overall productivity. By consistently applying these methods, users can ensure their applications function optimally and enjoy a more responsive computing environment. Staying familiar with these basic troubleshooting steps contributes significantly to effective MacBook usage and system management.

Author Profile

Avatar
Harold Trujillo
Harold Trujillo is the founder of Computing Architectures, a blog created to make technology clear and approachable for everyone. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harold developed an early fascination with computers that grew into a degree in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University. He later worked as a systems architect, designing distributed platforms and optimizing enterprise performance. Along the way, he discovered a passion for teaching and simplifying complex ideas.

Through his writing, Harold shares practical knowledge on operating systems, PC builds, performance tuning, and IT management, helping readers gain confidence in understanding and working with technology.