Have you ever wished you could create your own MacOS app that will quickly quit every app running on your Mac computer with one click? In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to create a simple app called Quit All that lets you quit all Mac apps with one click. It takes about 5 minutes, it’s free and no coding experience is needed.
What Is “Quit All” and Why Would You Want It?
MacOS doesn’t include a built-in way to close all open apps at once. That means quitting apps one by one, unless you build your own quick solution. Our Quit All app solves that problem with one click.
This tool is especially useful if:
- You’re done working for the day and want to start fresh.
- Your Mac is slowing down and you want to close background apps.
- You’re screen recording or presenting and want a clean workspace.
Step 1: Create your Quit All Script
We’ll use a built-in macOS app called Script Editor to create the script. Here’s how:
- Open Spotlight Search (Command + Space)
- Type Script Editor and press Return
- Copy and paste this code into the blank script window:
set excludeApps to {"Finder"}
tell application "System Events"
set appList to name of (processes where background only is false)
repeat with appName in appList
if excludeApps does not contain appName then
try
do shell script "osascript -e 'tell application \"" & appName & "\" to quit'"
end try
end if
end repeat
end tell
Excluding Apps from Quit All
This script tells your Mac to close all open apps, except Finder, since it runs your desktop and file system.
Exclude more apps by adding the app names in quotation marks inside the curly braces. Separate the apps with commas. In the example below, I have excluded Finder, Google Chrome and Spotify from the Quit All list:
set excludeApps to {"Finder", "Google Chrome", "Spotify"}
tell application "System Events"
set appList to name of (processes where background only is false)
repeat with appName in appList
if excludeApps does not contain appName then
try
do shell script "osascript -e 'tell application \"" & appName & "\" to quit'"
on error
-- ignore apps that can't be quit
end try
end if
repeat
end tellSave the script file anywhere by clicking File » Save.
Step 2: Save Quit All as a Mac App
Now let’s export your script as an app that let’s you close all our Mac apps with one single click.
- In Script Editor, go to File » Export…
- Export As: Quit All
- Where: Choose Applications or Desktop
- File Format: Choose Application (this one is important!)
- Make sure that all Options are unchecked
- Click Save
Congrats! You have created your own app that quits all Mac apps with one click.
Step 3: Add Quit All to Your Mac Dock
To keep it handy:
- Open Finder and locate your new Quit All app
- Double-click to run it once
- Right-click the app’s icon in the Dock (the app bar, often located in the bottom of the screen)
- Right click or hold down the mouse button on the Quit All app icon and choose Options » Keep in Dock
Now it’s always there when you need it. Just click it whenever you want to start over with a clean screen.
Bonus: How to Change the App Icon
Want to give it a personalized or professional look? Here’s how:
1. Prepare Your Icon
- Create or download a square image (PNG or ICNS format)
- Use a tool like Image2icon to convert to .icns
2. Apply the New Icon
- Open Finder and locate the folder where your Quit All app is located
- Right-click the Quit All app and click Get Info
- Open your .icns file in Preview
- Press Command + A, then Command + C
- In the app’s Info window, click the small icon at the top-left
- Press Command + V to paste your new icon
That’s it! Your app now has a custom icon!
Not Into Coding? Download “Quit All Apps” on App Store!
Quit All Apps is the fastest and most minimal way to close all running apps on your Mac. Just click the menu bar icon or press a single keyboard shortcut, and all open apps will quit, safely and instantly.
Summary
The Quit All app is a powerful little tool to streamline your Mac workflow. It’s fast, easy to use, and completely free. Whether you’re a developer, creative, or just like a tidy desktop, this script will save you time every day.
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