The quickest way to close an app on your Samsung tablet

To close an app on a Samsung tablet, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold for a moment until you see all your open apps displayed. Then swipe up on the app card you want to close, or tap the X button if one appears in the corner. The app will close when ready and stop running in the background.

This method works on most Samsung tablets running Android 9 and newer. If your tablet is older, you may see a different screen layout, but the principle is the same — you're looking for a way to view all running apps and then remove the one you want to stop.

Some Samsung tablets also let you close apps by swiping left or right across an app card instead of swiping up. Try both motions to see which one works smoothly on your device.

Key Takeaways

  • Swipe up from the bottom of your screen and hold to see all open apps displayed as cards.
  • Swipe up on any app card to close it, or look for an X button in the top corner of the card.
  • Closing an app from the recent apps screen stops it from running in the background and using battery power.
  • You can also close apps by going to Settings, then Apps, selecting an app, and tapping Force Stop.

Using the Recent Apps screen on Samsung tablets

The Recent Apps screen is the easiest place to close multiple apps at once. Swipe up from the bottom and hold until the screen shows thumbnail images of all the apps you've used recently. Each app appears as a card that you can interact with.

Once you see the cards, look at the top right corner of each one. Many Samsung tablets show a small X or close button there. Tap it to close that app when ready. If there's no visible button, swipe up on the card itself — this motion tells your tablet to close it.

If you want to close all open apps at once, look for a "Close all" button, usually at the bottom of the screen. Tapping it will shut down every app shown on the recent apps list.

Closing apps through the Settings menu

If swiping doesn't work or you want more control, you can close apps using the Settings menu. Open Settings, then scroll down and tap Apps or process Manager (the name varies by Samsung model). You'll see a list of every app installed on your tablet.

Find the app you want to close and tap it. On the next screen, look for a button labeled Force Stop. Tap it, and the app will close when ready. A confirmation message may appear asking if you're sure — tap OK to confirm.

Force Stop is stronger than a regular close. It stops the app completely and clears it from your tablet's memory. Use this method if an app is frozen, running slowly, or using too much battery power.

The difference between closing and uninstalling an app

Closing an app and uninstalling an app are two different actions. When you close an app, it stops running but remains on your tablet — you can open it again whenever you want. When you uninstall an app, you remove it completely from your device.

Closing is temporary. It frees up memory and battery power right now, but the app is still there tomorrow. Uninstalling is permanent — the app and all its data are deleted from your tablet.

Most of the time, you only need to close an app. Uninstall only if you no longer want the app on your tablet at all.

Why you might want to close apps regularly

Closing apps that you're not using can make your Samsung tablet run faster and use less battery power. Even when an app is not on your screen, it may still be running in the background, checking for updates, sending notifications, or using your internet connection.

If your tablet feels slow or the battery drains quickly, closing unused apps is one of the first things to try. You don't need to close every app — just the ones you're not actively using.

Some apps, like messaging or email, are designed to run in the background so they can notify you of new messages. Closing these apps means you won't see notifications until you open them again. Close only the apps you're sure you won't need for a while.

What to do if an app won't close

Occasionally an app becomes stuck or frozen and won't close using the normal swipe method. If this happens, go to Settings, then Apps, find the frozen app, and tap Force Stop. This is a more aggressive way to shut down an app and usually works when regular closing fails.

After you force stop an app, wait a few seconds before opening it again. This gives your tablet time to clear the app from memory. When you reopen it, the app should start fresh.

If the same app keeps freezing, consider uninstalling it and reinstalling it from the Google Play Store. A fresh installation often fixes problems that Force Stop alone cannot solve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does closing an app delete my data or settings?

No. Closing an app does not delete any of your data, messages, photos, or settings within that app. Everything you saved stays on your tablet. When you open the app again, it will be exactly as you left it.

Will closing apps make my tablet battery last longer?

Yes, closing unused apps can extend battery life, especially if those apps were running in the background and using power. The effect is usually small for each individual app, but closing several apps at once can add up to noticeable battery savings.

What's the difference between closing an app and putting it to sleep?

Closing an app stops it completely. Putting an app to sleep (or using battery optimization features) slows it down but may let it run limited background tasks. Closing is more thorough and saves more battery power.

Can I close the Samsung home screen or launcher?

No. The home screen and launcher are core parts of your tablet's operating system and cannot be closed. If you try to close them, your tablet will straightforward return to the home screen instead.

Do I need to close apps before turning off my tablet?

No. When you turn off your tablet, all running apps close automatically. You don't need to close them first. However, closing apps before shutdown can help your tablet shut down more smoothly.