If you’ve just switched to a Mac or are used to the Control + Alt + Delete routine on Windows, you might be wondering how to get to the Task Manager on a Mac. Even though there’s no “Task Manager” on macOS, it does have some powerful built-in tools that do the job just as well. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about Mac’s Activity Monitor.
Does Mac have a Task Manager?
Not really. Mac’s equivalent to Task Manager on Windows is Activity Monitor. It’s a tool used to show what’s exactly running on your system, from CPU and memory usage to energy impact and network activity. If your Mac is heating up, for example, Activity Monitor helps you find out why.
How to open Activity Monitor on Mac
Use the Mac Task Manager shortcut:
- press Command + Space to open Spotlight
- type Activity Monitor and hit Enter.
You can also find the Activity Monitor in Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor.
How to close a frozen app on Mac
If you just want to shut down a frozen app quickly, you can use the Force Quit tool by pressing Command + Option + Escape.
Need more than Activity Monitor?
If you run demanding apps on your Mac, you might want something more powerful than Activity Monitor. Third-party tools like CleanMyMac X offer more insights and controls.
Want more Mac tips? Explore our blog to get the most out of your device in 2025.