How to Close Apps on Android

This article explains how to close apps on an Android device from the Home screen. It also includes information on closing apps from the apps manager and shutting down running services,

How to Close Apps on Android From the Home Screen

To close apps on Android means to shut the apps down. You might shut down an app if it isn't responding normally, if your phone or tablet is low on memory, or to clear up the screen.

Closing running apps from the Home screen is the quickest way to shut them down.

1. Start by viewing all running apps. How you do this depends on your phone and the Android version. If you're not sure how your device shows running apps, try the different methods that are available:

   • Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (but don't swipe too far up, or the app drawer opens).
   • Tap the small square icon at the bottom of the screen.
   • Press the physical button on the bottom of your phone or tablet that looks like two overlapping rectangles. You might not see it light up until you press in that area next to the Home button.
   • On Samsung Galaxy devices, press the Recent Apps button to the left of the Home button.

2. Swipe up and down or left and right (depending on your phone) to find the app you want to close down.

3. Swipe up on the app you want to kill, as if you were throwing it off the screen. This works if your apps are listed horizontally.

   

   Or, for vertically listed apps, swipe the app left or right to close it immediately.

   

   Some devices might have an exit button in the upper-right corner of each app when in this view, and you can tap it to close the app. If you see a three-lined button at the bottom with a small x on it, or Clear all when you swipe all the way to the left, tap it to close all the open apps.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to close the other running apps. When you're finished, select an empty space next to the edge of the screen or press the Home button.

How to Close Apps Using the Apps Manager

Your device has a built-in manager for apps that you should use if you need to close background apps (apps that are running but don't show up when you follow the method above).

When you use the settings to close running apps, there are more options than what you find in the swiping method. This method isn't as friendly and is geared more toward killing unresponsive apps rather than exiting gracefully.

1. Open the settings and tap Apps. If you don't see that, look for Apps & notifications, App Management, Application manager, or General > Apps.

2. Tap See all <#> apps and then locate the problem app that you want to shut down. If you don't see that option, you may already be viewing the apps list.

   

3. Select the app and choose Force stop.

   Depending on your device, this screen is also where you can uninstall the app if you're not sure why you have it in the first place.

4. Tap OK or Force stop to confirm that you want to kill the running app.

   Once the app has stopped, you can open it again normally. However, the destructive nature of forcing an app to close down may cause some corruption or unintended behavior.

   

Closing Apps Isn't Usually Necessary

It's not usually required that you shut down apps on Android because your device should handle the apps appropriately, shuffling memory back and forth between apps you're actively using and the ones running in the background. Constantly shutting down apps might make your device run slower. However, if there's a reason you want to clear the apps, you can do so easily.

How to Shut Down Running Services on Android

Services are usually not something the average person needs to deal with, especially considering that the ability to do so isn't available by default. However, if you know what you're doing, and you need to terminate a service that a particular app is running, it's a straightforward process.

1. Enable developer mode. This is a special mode that lets you view and edit settings that a normal user can't see.

2. Go to Settings > System, or Settings > System > Advanced, and tap Developer options.

   

3. Select Running services, and scroll through the list to find and select the app that's running the service you want to kill.

4. Choose Stop next to the service you want to end. Depending on your device, you might need to press OK to confirm.