The fastest way to close an app depends on your device
On most phones and computers, you close an app by swiping it away or clicking a close button — but where that button is and what happens when you close it varies by device. On iPhone, you swipe up from the bottom of the screen. On Android, you swipe up from the bottom or use the back button. On Windows, you click the X in the top right corner. On Mac, you click the red circle in the top left or press Command+Q. The app then stops running, though it may still be stored in your device's memory so it opens faster next time.
Some apps stay partially active even after you close them — they may check for messages, update information, or run background tasks. This is different from fully closing the app. If you want to stop an app from running in the background entirely, you need to go into your device's settings and disable background activity for that specific app, which we cover below.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to close an app; on Android, swipe up from the bottom or press the back button repeatedly.
- On Windows, click the X button in the top right corner of the window; on Mac, click the red circle in the top left or press Command+Q.
- Closing an app stops it from displaying on your screen but does not always stop it from running background tasks like checking for messages.
- To prevent an app from running in the background at all, you must turn off background activity in your device's settings for that app.
- Force-closing an app (holding the button or using settings) should only be used if an app is frozen or not responding normally.
Closing apps on iPhone
On iPhone, the standard way to close an app is to swipe up from the bottom of the screen while the app is open. Start your swipe near the very bottom edge and drag upward — the app will slide off the screen and close. You can also swipe up from the bottom and pause in the middle of the screen to see all your open apps at once, then swipe up on the one you want to close.
If an app is frozen or not responding, you can force-close it by going to Settings, then General, then iPhone Storage. Find the app in the list, tap it, and tap "Offload App" or "Delete App." This removes it from your phone entirely. To force-close without deleting, you can also go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn off the toggle for that specific app, which stops it from running in the background but keeps it installed.
Closing apps on Android
On Android phones, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open your recent apps view, then swipe up on the app you want to close. Alternatively, press the back button at the bottom of your screen repeatedly until the app closes. Some Android phones also have a dedicated "Recent Apps" button (usually a square icon) that you can tap to see all open apps, then swipe up on the one you want to remove.
To stop an app from running in the background, go to Settings, then Apps (or Application Manager, depending on your phone), find the app, and tap "Force Stop." This closes the app completely and prevents it from running background tasks. You can also go to Settings > Battery or Settings > Battery and Device Care, find the app, and toggle off "Allow background activity" to let it run but limit what it does when you are not using it.
Closing apps on Windows
On Windows, click the X button in the top right corner of any app window to close it. If the X button is not visible, the app may be in full-screen mode — press the Escape key or Alt+Tab to exit full-screen, then click the X. You can also right-click the app's icon in the taskbar at the bottom and select "Close window" or "Close all windows."
If an app is frozen and will not close, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc, find the app in the list, click it, and click "End Task" at the bottom right. This force-closes the app. To prevent an app from running in the background after you close it, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Background Apps and toggle off the switch next to the app you want to stop.
Closing apps on Mac
On Mac, click the red circle button in the top left corner of any app window to close it. You can also press Command+W to close the current window or Command+Q to quit the entire app. If you have multiple windows open in the same app, Command+W closes one window at a time, while Command+Q closes all of them and fully exits the app.
If an app is not responding, press Command+Option+Esc to open the Force Quit window, select the app, and click "Force Quit." To prevent an app from running in the background, go to System Settings > General > Login Items, find the app, and click the minus button to remove it. You can also go to System Settings > General > Background App Refresh and toggle off the switch for specific apps.
What happens when you close an app
When you close an app, it stops displaying on your screen and stops using your device's processor actively. However, the app's data is often still stored in your device's memory (called RAM), which is why the app opens faster the next time you use it. The app does not delete any of your files or settings — closing is not the same as uninstalling.
Many apps continue to run background tasks even after you close them. For example, a messaging app might check for new messages, a weather app might update the forecast, or a fitness app might track your steps. These background tasks use battery and data. If you want to stop an app from doing this, you must disable background activity in your device's settings, not just close the app.
When to force-close an app
Force-closing should only be used when an app is frozen, crashing, or not responding to normal close commands. On any device, force-closing stops the app immediately and clears it from memory, which can free up space and fix problems caused by the app using too many resources. However, force-closing can also cause you to lose unsaved work in that app.
If an app crashes repeatedly, force-close it, then restart your device. If the problem continues, uninstall the app and reinstall it from your device's app store. If you force-close an app regularly, it may indicate the app has a bug or is not compatible with your device's current software version — check the app store to see if an update is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does closing an app delete my data or settings?
No. Closing an app does not delete anything. Your files, messages, photos, and settings stay on your device. The app simply stops running and displaying on your screen. When you open the app again, everything will be exactly as you left it.
Will closing apps make my phone faster?
Closing apps can free up memory and battery, but the effect is usually small unless you have many apps open at once. Restarting your device is more effective at speeding things up. Disabling background activity for apps you do not use often has a bigger impact on battery life than closing them.
What is the difference between closing an app and force-closing it?
Closing an app is the normal way to stop using it — you swipe it away or click the X button. Force-closing bypasses the normal close process and stops the app immediately, which is useful if the app is frozen. Force-closing can cause you to lose unsaved work, so only use it when the app is not responding.
Can I close multiple apps at once?
On most phones, you can swipe up on multiple apps in your recent apps view one after another to close them quickly. On Windows and Mac, you can use Alt+Tab or Command+Tab to switch between open apps and close each one individually, or use Task Manager or Force Quit to close several at once.
Why does an app keep running after I close it?
The app is likely running background tasks, which many apps do by default to check for messages, update information, or track activity. To stop this, go to your device's settings and disable background activity for that app. On iPhone, use Settings > General > Background App Refresh. On Android, use Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Force Stop or toggle off background activity.