The fastest 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. Then swipe up on the app you want to close, or tap the X button if one appears. The app will disappear from the list and close.

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: open the recent apps view and swipe or tap to remove the one you want closed.

You do not need to close apps regularly to keep your tablet running well. Android manages background apps automatically, and closing them does not save battery the way it does on older devices. Close an app only when it is misbehaving, draining battery noticeably, or you straightforward want it out of your recent list.

Key Takeaways

  • Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold to open the recent apps view, then swipe up on any app to close it.
  • You can also press and hold the app icon in the recent apps view and select a close or remove option if the swipe does not work.
  • Closing apps is not necessary for performance on modern Samsung tablets, since Android handles background processes automatically.
  • If an app is frozen or unresponsive, force-closing it through Settings is more effective than closing it from the recent apps view.
  • Some apps may reopen automatically if they are set to run at startup; you can disable this in the app's settings or in your tablet's startup apps list.

Using the recent apps view on different Samsung models

Samsung tablets use slightly different gestures depending on the model and Android version. On most current models, swiping up from the bottom and holding opens the recent apps view. On older models or those with a home button, you may need to tap the recent apps button (usually a square icon) at the bottom of the screen instead.

Once the recent apps view is open, you will see thumbnails of apps you have used recently. Swipe up on any thumbnail to close that app. If swiping does not work, try pressing and holding the app thumbnail until a menu appears, then tap "Close" or "Remove from list."

If you do not see a recent apps view at all, check your tablet's navigation settings. Go to Settings, then System, then Gestures or Navigation, and make sure gesture navigation is turned on. This is the default on newer Samsung tablets.

Force-closing an app that is frozen or not responding

If an app is frozen, stuck, or will not close using the recent apps view, you can force it to close through your tablet's settings. Go to Settings, then Apps, and find the app in the list. Tap the app name, then look for a "Force Stop" button near the top of the screen. Tap it to shut down the app when ready.

Force-closing an app clears it from memory and stops any background processes it was running. This is more aggressive than closing it normally, and you should only do it when an app is genuinely misbehaving. After force-closing, you can open the app again fresh, which often fixes problems like freezing or crashing.

Be aware that force-closing some apps may interrupt what they were doing. For example, force-closing a messaging app might stop a file upload or prevent a notification from being sent. Use this method only when the app is not responding to normal closing.

Clearing the recent apps list entirely

If you want to close all open apps at once, open the recent apps view by swiping up from the bottom and holding. Look for a "Clear All" button, usually at the bottom or top of the screen. Tap it to close every app in the list at once.

Clearing all apps is useful if your tablet feels sluggish or you want a fresh start, but it is not necessary for performance. Android will manage memory on its own, and closing apps does not improve battery life on modern tablets the way it did on phones from ten years ago.

Preventing apps from reopening automatically

Some apps are set to reopen automatically when you restart your tablet or turn it on. If you close an app but it keeps coming back, you can disable this behavior. Go to Settings, then Apps, find the app, and look for an option called "Launch by Default" or "Open on Startup." Turn this off.

Alternatively, go to Settings, then System, then Startup Apps (the name varies by model). You will see a list of apps that run when your tablet starts up. Find the app you want to prevent from reopening and toggle it off.

Some system apps cannot be disabled this way, which is normal. If you see an app you do not recognize in the startup list, you can search for it online to learn what it does before deciding whether to disable it.

What happens when you close an app

When you close an app, it stops running and is removed from your tablet's active memory. Any unsaved work in that app is lost, so make sure to save before closing if you have been working on something. Most apps will ask you to save before closing if there is unsaved work.

Closing an app does not delete it from your tablet. The app remains installed and you can open it again anytime by tapping its icon on your home screen or in the Apps menu. Closing just stops it from running in the background.

If you want to remove an app entirely, you need to uninstall it. That is a different process: go to Settings, then Apps, find the app, and tap "Uninstall." This removes the app from your tablet completely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to close apps to save battery on my Samsung tablet?

No. Modern Android tablets manage background apps automatically and close them when memory is needed. Manually closing apps does not meaningfully extend battery life. If your battery is draining quickly, the problem is usually a specific app using too much power, not the number of open apps.

What is the difference between closing an app and force-closing it?

Closing an app through the recent apps view is the normal way to stop it. Force-closing through Settings is more aggressive and should only be used when an app is frozen or not responding. Force-closing can interrupt what the app was doing, so use it only when necessary.

Why does an app keep reopening after I close it?

The app is likely set to run at startup. Go to Settings, then System, then Startup Apps, find the app, and toggle it off. Some apps may also reopen if they have notifications pending or if another app is trying to use them.

Can I close multiple apps at once?

Yes. Open the recent apps view, look for a "Clear All" button, and tap it to close every app in the list. You can also swipe up on individual apps one at a time if you want to close only some of them.

Will closing an app delete my data or files?

No. Closing an app stops it from running but does not delete any data stored in the app. Your files, photos, messages, and other data remain on your tablet. If you want to delete data, you must do that within the app itself or uninstall the app.