Mac uses Activity Monitor, not Task Manager

Windows calls it Task Manager. Mac calls it Activity Monitor, and it does the same job — it shows you what programs are running, how much memory and processing power each one is using, and lets you force-quit anything that has frozen or stopped responding.

Activity Monitor is built into every Mac. You do not need to download anything or change any settings. The fastest way to open it is to press Command + Space to open Spotlight search, type "activity monitor", and press Enter. The window opens in about two seconds.

If you prefer not to use Spotlight, you can also navigate to it through your Applications folder, but the keyboard shortcut is faster and works the same way every time.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Command + Space, type "activity monitor", and press Enter to open it in seconds.
  • The CPU tab shows which programs are using the most processor power; the Memory tab shows which are using the most RAM.
  • To force-quit a frozen program, click it in the list, then click the X button labeled "Force Quit" at the top of the window.
  • Activity Monitor stays open in the background and updates in real time, so you can leave it running while you work.

Using Spotlight search (the fastest method)

Spotlight search is the quickest way to reach Activity Monitor from anywhere on your Mac, whether you are in an email, a web browser, or the desktop.

Press Command + Space. A search box appears near the top of your screen. Type the letters "activity monitor" — you do not need to type the whole thing, just enough that Activity Monitor appears in the results. Press Enter or click on Activity Monitor in the list, and the window opens.

This method works even if your Mac is running slowly, because Spotlight is built into the operating system and does not depend on other programs being responsive.

Finding Activity Monitor in your Applications folder

If you prefer to navigate using folders instead of search, Activity Monitor lives in the Utilities folder inside Applications.

Open Finder (click the blue and white face icon in your dock, or press Command + Space and type "finder"). Click Applications in the sidebar on the left. Double-click the Utilities folder. Scroll down until you see Activity Monitor, then double-click it to open.

Once you have opened Activity Monitor this way, you can right-click it in the dock and select "Options" > "Keep in Dock" so it stays there for faster access next time.

Reading the CPU and Memory tabs

When Activity Monitor opens, you see a list of running programs. By default, you are on the CPU tab, which shows which programs are using the most processor power right now. The percentage in the CPU column tells you how much of your processor each program is using.

Click the Memory tab to see which programs are using the most RAM (memory). This is useful if your Mac feels slow or sluggish — a program using too much memory can make everything else drag. The numbers in the Memory column show how many megabytes each program is using.

Programs at the top of the list are using the most resources. If you see one program using 80 or 90 percent of your CPU or memory, that is usually the culprit if your Mac is running slowly.

Force-quitting a frozen program

If a program has stopped responding and you cannot close it normally, Activity Monitor lets you force it to shut down. Click the program name in the list to select it. At the top of the Activity Monitor window, you will see a button with an X on it labeled "Force Quit [Program Name]". Click that button.

A dialog box appears asking you to confirm. Click "Force Quit" again. The program closes immediately, even if it is frozen or not responding.

Force-quitting does not damage your Mac. Any unsaved work in that program will be lost, but the operating system itself is not affected. After you force-quit, you can open the program again normally.

Other useful Activity Monitor tabs

Activity Monitor has five tabs across the top: CPU, Memory, Energy, Disk, and Network. Most of the time you only need CPU or Memory, but the others can help you understand what your Mac is doing.

The Energy tab shows which programs are draining your battery fastest — useful on a laptop. The Disk tab shows which programs are reading from or writing to your hard drive. The Network tab shows which programs are sending or receiving data over the internet. You can click any tab to switch views.

You do not need to close Activity Monitor when you are done. It uses very little power and can stay open in the background. Many people keep it open in a separate window so they can check it quickly if their Mac starts to slow down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close Activity Monitor without hurting my Mac?

Yes. Activity Monitor is just a tool for looking at what your Mac is doing — closing it does not affect any other programs or your system. You can close it by clicking the red button in the top-left corner of the window, or by pressing Command + Q.

What does "Not Responding" mean next to a program name?

It means the program has frozen and is not reacting to mouse clicks or keyboard input. This is when you use Activity Monitor to force-quit it. After you force-quit, restart the program and it should work normally.

Is it safe to force-quit programs I do not recognize?

Most programs with unfamiliar names are system processes that your Mac needs to run. If you are not sure what something is, do not force-quit it. Stick to force-quitting programs you opened yourself that have stopped responding.

Why does Activity Monitor show so many programs running?

Your Mac runs many background programs you never opened — system services, security software, cloud storage, and other utilities. This is normal. You only need to worry about programs using a large percentage of CPU or memory.

Can I use Activity Monitor to uninstall programs?

No. Activity Monitor only shows what is running and lets you force-quit frozen programs. To uninstall a program, drag it from Applications to the Trash, or use the uninstaller that came with it.