The Apple macOS Blog

Hey everyone, I'm back for just a final few blog posts to wrap up 2024!

Ever been in a situation where your MacBook stops responding and you can't seem to get it back to normal? In these rare cases a force restart might be needed to get you and your Mac back to work! A force restuart is the quickest way to shut down your Mac and get it back up and running when all else fails. Today I'll show you how to force restart your MacBook — it is really quite simple so please read on to learn more.

When Should You Force Restart?

Before we dive into the "how to", it's good to know when you should (and shouldn't) force restart your MacBook. A force restart is a great option when:

• Your MacBook is completely unresponsive.
• You've tried closing apps, but nothing is happening.
• You can't access the Apple menu or use any keyboard shortcuts.

Just keep in mind that force restarting can lead to unsaved data loss; please only use it as a last resort.

To Force Restart your MacBook

1. Hold the power button

Press and hold the Power button (or Touch ID button on newer MacBook models) for about 10 seconds. You'll notice the screen goes black — this means your MacBook has powered down.

2. Wait

Once the screen is off you'll need to wait a few seconds to make sure the MacBook has had a chance to completely power down.

3. Turn your Mac back on

Now press the Power button again. You will now see the Apple logo and your MacBook will begin to start up. In a few seconds your MacBook will be ready to use. How easy, that's all there was to it!

An alternative method: force quit instead of restart

If your MacBook is unresponsive due to a single app freezing you might not need a full restart. Instead, try Force Quitting the app that's causing trouble.

Summing up

Force restarting is handy in emergencies but not something you want to rely on often. If you notice your MacBook freezing regularly it might be a sign that it needs a little maintenance. Our trusty iBoostUp app can help keep your Mac in tip-top shape by clearing out junk files, removing malware and optimizing performance.

Hope this helps get your MacBook back on track! Stay tuned for more tips to keep your Mac running smoothly.

❤️ Maria