The quickest way to close an app on Samsung tablets
To close an app on a Samsung tablet, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold for a moment until the recent apps screen appears. Find the app you want to close, then swipe it up and off the top of the screen. The app closes when ready.
This method works on most Samsung tablets running Android 9 and newer. If you have an older model, you may see a different layout — the process is similar, but the button locations vary slightly.
You can also close an app by pressing the back button repeatedly until you exit the app entirely, or by opening Settings, navigating to Apps, selecting the app, and tapping "Force Stop." The swipe method is fastest for everyday use.
Key Takeaways
- Swipe up from the bottom and hold to open recent apps, then swipe the app upward to close it.
- The back button (usually a left arrow) closes the current screen; press it repeatedly to exit an app completely.
- Force Stop in Settings stops an app that is frozen or misbehaving, but it may cause data loss if the app was in the middle of saving.
- Closing apps does not free up much storage space — uninstalling them does.
Using the recent apps screen
The recent apps screen shows all the apps you have opened recently. To reach it, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause for about half a second. A row of app thumbnails appears at the bottom, or sometimes a full-screen grid depending on your tablet model and Android version.
Once the recent apps screen is open, find the app you want to close. Swipe it upward with one finger, or swipe it to the left or right — the direction varies by model, but the app will disappear when you do. You can close multiple apps this way by swiping them one after another.
If you do not see the recent apps screen, try swiping from the very bottom edge of the tablet, not from the middle of the screen. Some Samsung tablets require the swipe to start closer to the corner.
Closing apps with the back button
The back button is usually a left-pointing arrow in the bottom left corner of the screen (on tablets with on-screen buttons) or a physical button on the side or bottom of the device. Pressing it closes the current screen and takes you back one step in the app.
If you press the back button repeatedly, you will eventually exit the app and return to the home screen. This method is slower than swiping, but it works on all Samsung tablets and gives you a chance to save your work if the app prompts you before closing.
Some apps do not respond to the back button the way you expect — they may open a menu or a dialog box instead of closing. If that happens, try the swipe method or use Force Stop.
Force Stop for frozen or stuck apps
If an app is frozen, not responding, or behaving strangely, you can force it to close through Settings. Open Settings, tap Apps (or process Manager on older models), find the app in the list, and tap it. Then tap "Force Stop."
Force Stop closes the app when ready without saving any unsaved work. Use it only when an app is truly stuck, because closing an app this way can cause data loss if the app was in the middle of saving a file or updating information.
After you force stop an app, you can open it again normally. If the app continues to freeze or crash, try uninstalling and reinstalling it, or check the Google Play Store to see if an update is available.
The difference between closing and uninstalling
Closing an app stops it from running but leaves it installed on your tablet. The app still takes up storage space and will still appear in your app list. Uninstalling removes the app entirely from your device.
If you want to free up storage space, you need to uninstall apps, not just close them. To uninstall, open Settings, go to Apps, select the app, and tap "Uninstall." You can also press and hold an app icon on the home screen and select "Uninstall" from the menu that appears.
Closing apps is useful for stopping them from running in the background or clearing them from your recent apps list. Uninstalling is what you do when you no longer want the app on your tablet at all.
Why closing apps does not speed up your tablet
Many people close apps thinking it will make their tablet faster. In reality, closing apps has little effect on performance. Android is designed to manage apps running in the background automatically — it pauses them when you are not using them and closes them when the tablet needs memory for something else.
If your tablet is slow, the problem is usually not too many open apps. It is more likely a lack of storage space, too many background processes, or an app that is misbehaving. Closing apps will not fix these issues.
The one exception is if a specific app is using a lot of battery or data. In that case, closing or uninstalling that app will help. You can check which apps are using the most battery in Settings under Battery or Device Care.
Closing apps on Samsung tablets with home buttons
Some older Samsung tablets have a physical home button at the bottom. On these models, you can still use the swipe-up method to open recent apps, but the gesture may feel different because the button is in the way.
If the swipe method does not work, try pressing the home button and then swiping up from the bottom, or use the back button method instead. You can also access recent apps by pressing and holding the home button for a moment — this opens a different view on some older models.
If you are unsure which method works on your specific tablet, try the swipe method first, then the back button, then Settings and Force Stop. One of these will always work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does closing apps save battery?
Closing apps saves very little battery because Android pauses apps you are not using. If you want to save battery, turn off Bluetooth and location services, lower screen brightness, or enable Battery Saver mode. Uninstalling a specific app that drains battery will help more than closing apps in general.
What happens if I force stop an app I use every day?
Nothing permanent. Force Stop closes the app, but you can open it again whenever you want. The app will work normally the next time you launch it. Force Stop is safe to use on any app — it just stops it from running right now.
Can I close multiple apps at once?
Yes. Open the recent apps screen by swiping up from the bottom, then swipe multiple apps upward one after another. Some Samsung tablets also have a "Close All" button at the bottom of the recent apps screen — tap it to close every recent app at once.
Why does my app keep opening even after I close it?
The app may be set to start automatically when you turn on your tablet, or another app may be launching it. Go to Settings, Apps, find the app, and look for a "Launch by Default" or "Autostart" option. Turn it off if you do not want the app to open on its own.
Is it bad to leave apps running in the background?
No. Android is built to handle background apps. Leaving them open does not damage your tablet or significantly slow it down. Close apps only if they are misbehaving, using too much battery, or if you straightforward want a cleaner recent apps list.