If the application is still unresponsive, you can try to force quit it from the Terminal. To do this, open the Terminal and type the following command:
killall -9 [application name]
Replace [application name] with the name of the application you want to force quit. For example, to force quit the Finder, you would type the following command:
killall -9 Finder
Warning: Force quitting an application can cause data loss. Be sure to save any unsaved work before force quitting an application.
Shutting Down via Terminal
Utilizing the Terminal application, you can initiate a Mac shutdown from the command line. Follow these steps:
- Launch the Terminal app, which can be found in /Applications/Utilities.
- Type the following command:
sudo shutdown -h now
- Enter your administrator password when prompted.
- The Mac will begin the shutdown process and will automatically power off once complete.
- Alternatively, you can specify a specific time or duration for the shutdown by using the
-t option. For instance, to schedule the Mac to shut down in 30 minutes, you would use the command: sudo shutdown -h +30
| Command |
Description |
sudo shutdown -h now |
Shuts down the Mac immediately |
sudo shutdown -h +30 |
Schedules the Mac to shut down in 30 minutes |
sudo shutdown -c |
Cancels a scheduled shutdown |
The shutdown command offers additional options for customizing the shutdown process. For more information, consult the Terminal command reference by typing man shutdown in the Terminal window.
Configuring Auto Shutdown
Auto Shutdown allows you to schedule your Mac to shut down automatically at a specific time. This can be useful for energy conservation or for ensuring that your Mac is turned off when you are away. To configure Auto Shutdown, follow these steps:
1. Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
2. Click on Energy Saver.
3. Check the box next to “Put computer to sleep when it is inactive for:” and select a time interval from the drop-down menu.
4. Check the box next to “Shut down computer if it is still asleep after:” and select a time interval from the drop-down menu.
Once you have configured Auto Shutdown, your Mac will shut down automatically at the specified time if it has been inactive for the specified period of time.
The following table provides a summary of the options available for Auto Shutdown:
| Option | Description |
|—|—|
| Put computer to sleep when it is inactive for: | The amount of time your Mac will be inactive before it goes to sleep. |
| Shut down computer if it is still asleep after: | The amount of time your Mac will be asleep before it shuts down. |
Troubleshooting Shutdown Issues
If you’re experiencing issues shutting down your Mac, try the following troubleshooting steps:
1. Check for Running Processes
Open Activity Monitor (Applications > Utilities) to see if any processes are still running. Force quit any that are not needed.
2. Disconnect External Devices
Unplug any external drives, printers, or other devices that may be interfering with the shutdown process.
3. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
The SMC controls power management and other hardware functions. Reset it by following the steps for your Mac model on Apple’s support website.
4. Reset the Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM/PRAM)
NVRAM/PRAM stores certain settings and configuration data. Reset it by holding down Command + Option + P + R during startup.
5. Start in Safe Mode
Safe Mode loads only essential kernel extensions and software. Shut down normally from Safe Mode to see if it resolves the issue.
6. Run Disk Utility
Check the integrity of your hard drive by running Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities). Repair any errors it finds.
7. Update macOS
Install any available macOS updates, as they may include fixes for shutdown issues.
8. Reset Your Logic Board
For certain Mac models, resetting the logic board may resolve shutdown problems. Consult Apple’s support website for specific instructions.
9. Contact Apple Support
If the issue persists after trying all the above steps, contact Apple Support. They can provide further assistance or arrange a repair if necessary.
| Mac Model |
Logic Board Reset Instructions |
| MacBook Air (2018 or later) |
Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds. |
| MacBook Pro (2018 or later) |
Press and hold the power button, Touch ID button, and Option key for 10 seconds. |
| iMac (2019 or later) |
Unplug the power cord, wait 15 seconds, then plug it back in. |
Precautions Before Shutting Down
1. Save Open Documents and Programs
Before shutting down your Mac, ensure all open documents and programs are saved in the current state. Data loss may occur if unsaved changes are present. To save documents, click ‘File’ followed by ‘Save’ from the menu within each program. If prompted, choose a suitable file name and location to save the documents. For programs, simply click ‘File’ and select ‘Save’ or ‘Save As’ to save any unsaved changes or create a copy.
2. Check for Active Processes and Background Tasks
Check for any active programs or background tasks that may prevent a smooth shutdown. Look for any open windows, download progress bars in the menu bar, or notifications indicating ongoing tasks. If necessary, quit unwanted programs or tasks before shutting down to avoid interruptions or data loss.
3. Close External Peripherals
Disconnect all external peripherals connected to your Mac, such as external hard drives, USB devices, printers, or any other connected devices. This helps prevent any potential hardware conflicts or data loss during the shutdown process.
4. Logout Before Shutting Down (for Multiple User Accounts)
If you have multiple user accounts on your Mac and are not using the primary account, it’s advisable to log out before shutting down. This ensures that other users’ data and settings are secure and prevents accidental access to private information.
5. Use Proper Shutdown Procedure
To shut down your Mac, click on the Apple menu located on the top-left corner of the screen. Select ‘Shut Down’ from the drop-down menu. This initiates the safe shutdown process, which closes all open programs, logs out users, and prepares the system for power off.
6. Allow Time for Shutting Down
Once the shutdown process begins, give your Mac ample time to complete the necessary steps. Do not forcefully power off the system by holding down the power button, as this may cause data loss or system damage.
7. Check for External Drive Activity
If you have an external hard drive or other storage device connected to your Mac, ensure that it is not actively reading or writing data before shutting down. This prevents potential data loss or corruption due to abrupt disconnection during the shutdown process.
8. Shut Down During System Updates
Avoid shutting down your Mac while system updates are in progress. Allow the updates to complete successfully, as interrupting the process may result in system instability or data loss.
9. Check for Third-Party Applications
Some third-party applications may have specific shutdown procedures or recommendations. It’s advisable to consult the documentation or support resources for these applications to ensure a smooth shutdown process.
10. Additional Considerations
In addition to the precautions mentioned above, here are some additional considerations for shutting down your Mac:
| Action |
Recommended for |
| Quit applications and log out before shutting down |
When leaving your Mac unattended for an extended period or when experiencing system issues |
| Use the “Restart” option instead of “Shut Down” |
When troubleshooting system or software problems |
| Force quit applications using Activity Monitor |
When an application becomes unresponsive or prevents a normal shutdown |
How to Turn Mac Off
Turning off a Mac computer is a simple task that can be done in a few different ways. The most common way to turn off a Mac is to use the Apple menu, which can be found in the upper-left corner of the screen. Click on the Apple menu and then select the “Shut Down” option.
Another way to turn off a Mac is to use the power button, which is located on the right side of the computer. Press and hold the power button for a few seconds until the Mac shuts down.
If your Mac is frozen or unresponsive, you can force it to shut down by holding down the power button for 10 seconds. This will cause the Mac to power off immediately.
People Also Ask
How do I turn off my Mac using the keyboard?
You can turn off your Mac using the keyboard by pressing the following keys:
- Control+Option+Command+Eject
- Control+Option+Command+Power
How do I turn off my Mac using Terminal?
You can turn off your Mac using Terminal by entering the following command:
sudo shutdown now
How do I turn off my Mac automatically?
You can turn off your Mac automatically by using the following steps:
- Click on the Apple menu and then select “System Preferences”.
- Click on the “Energy Saver” icon.
- Under the “Schedule” tab, select the “Shut Down” option from the drop-down menu.
- Set the time that you want your Mac to shut down.
- Click on the “OK” button.