The basic way to close an app depends on what device you're using

On a smartphone or tablet, closing an app usually means swiping it away from your recent apps list or using your phone's built-in close function. On a computer, you typically click the X button in the corner of the window or use a keyboard shortcut. The exact steps differ between iPhones, Android phones, Windows computers, and Macs — and sometimes the method you use matters for how much battery or memory you save.

Most of the time, closing an app is straightforward. But there are situations where the method matters: if an app is frozen, if you want to force it to stop running in the background, or if you're trying to free up memory on a slow device. Understanding the difference between closing an app and force-stopping it can help you troubleshoot problems and keep your device running smoothly.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhones, swipe up from the bottom of the screen or swipe left on an app in the app switcher to close it; on Android, swipe up or tap the X button depending on your phone model.
  • On Windows, click the X button in the top right corner of a window, or press Alt+F4 to close the active window.
  • On Mac, click the red circle in the top left corner of a window, or press Command+Q to close an app entirely.
  • Closing an app and force-stopping an app are different — force-stopping is stronger and stops background processes, but closing is usually enough for daily use.
  • Apps that appear to be closed may still run in the background on some devices, which is why background app refresh settings exist.

Closing apps on iPhone

On an iPhone, the method depends on which model you have. If you have an iPhone X or newer (which includes models without a home button), swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, then swipe up on the app card you want to close. The app will disappear from the list.

If you have an iPhone 8 or older (with a home button), double-click the home button to open the app switcher, then swipe up on the app you want to close. Again, the app will leave the list. In both cases, the app stops running immediately, though it may still have background processes running if you have background app refresh turned on for that app.

Closing apps on Android

Android phones vary by manufacturer, but most work similarly. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or tap the recent apps button, which looks like a square or three vertical lines depending on your phone) to see your open apps. Find the app you want to close and swipe it up or to the side. Some phones also show an X button you can tap instead.

If an app is frozen or not responding, you can force-stop it through Settings instead. Go to Settings, tap Apps (or Application Manager), find the app, and tap Force Stop. This is stronger than closing and stops all background processes immediately. Use force-stop when an app is misbehaving, not for routine closing.

Closing apps on Windows

On a Windows computer, close an app by clicking the X button in the top right corner of the window. This works for almost every program. If you want to close the active window without using the mouse, press Alt+F4 on your keyboard.

If a program is frozen and won't close normally, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc, find the program in the list, click it, and click End Task. This force-closes the program. After you force-close something, you may need to restart the program to use it again, and any unsaved work will be lost.

Closing apps on Mac

On a Mac, close an app by clicking the red circle button in the top left corner of the window. This closes the window but may not close the app entirely — the app can still be running in the background. To fully close an app, use the keyboard shortcut Command+Q, or click the app name in the menu bar and select Quit.

If an app is not responding, press Command+Option+Esc to open the Force Quit window, select the frozen app, and click Force Quit. Like Windows, this stops the app immediately and any unsaved work will be lost. After force-quitting, restart the app to use it again.

The difference between closing and force-stopping

Closing an app (using the normal close button or swipe) tells the app to shut down gracefully. The app has a moment to save any open work and stop running. Force-stopping or force-quitting skips that step and stops the app immediately, which is why unsaved work is lost.

For everyday use, closing an app normally is fine. Use force-stop or force-quit only when an app is frozen, not responding, or draining your battery. Force-stopping is more aggressive and can sometimes cause problems if the app was in the middle of an important task, so it's a troubleshooting step, not a routine one.

Background app refresh and what happens after you close

On phones, closing an app from the recent apps list does not always stop it completely. Many apps have permission to run in the background even after you close them. This is called background app refresh, and it lets apps check for messages, update content, or track location without you actively using them.

If you want to prevent an app from running in the background, you can turn off background app refresh for that specific app. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap General, then Background App Refresh, and toggle off the apps you want to restrict. On Android, go to Settings, tap Apps, select an app, tap Battery, and choose Restricted or Don't Allow Background Activity (the exact wording varies by phone). This stops the app from using battery and data when you're not using it, but it may also delay notifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does closing an app free up memory right away?

Yes, closing an app frees up the memory it was using. However, on modern phones and computers, memory management is automatic — the device will free up memory for new tasks even if old apps are still in the recent list. Closing apps manually makes a noticeable difference only on older or slower devices.

Will I lose my work if I close an app normally?

Not if the app has already saved your work. Most apps save automatically or prompt you to save before closing. If you force-stop or force-quit an app, you will lose any unsaved work. Close normally unless the app is frozen.

Why does an app keep running after I close it?

The app likely has background app refresh turned on. Even after you close it, the app can still run in the background to check for messages, update content, or perform other tasks. You can turn off background refresh for specific apps in your device settings if you want to stop this.

What's the difference between closing an app and deleting it?

Closing an app stops it from running but keeps it on your device. Deleting an app removes it entirely from your phone or computer. You can close and reopen an app as many times as you want, but if you delete it, you'll need to reinstall it from your app store to use it again.

Can I close multiple apps at once?

On most phones, you can swipe up on multiple app cards in the recent apps list one after another to close them quickly, but there's no single button to close all apps at once. On computers, you can close multiple windows by clicking the X on each one, or use Alt+F4 repeatedly on Windows or Command+Q on each app on Mac.