The fastest way to close an app on your Samsung Galaxy tablet
To close an app on a Samsung Galaxy 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 will shut down when ready.
If you are using an older Samsung Galaxy tablet model, you may see a different gesture. On some tablets, you can also press and hold the app thumbnail until a close button appears, then tap it. Both methods work — the swipe-up gesture is straightforward faster once you get used to it.
You can also close apps through the Settings menu, though this takes longer. Go to Settings, tap Apps, select the app you want to close, and tap Force Stop. This method is useful when an app is frozen or not responding to the normal close gesture.
Key Takeaways
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold to open the recent apps view, then swipe the app upward to close it.
- Pressing and holding an app thumbnail in the recent apps screen will show a close button you can tap instead of swiping.
- If an app is frozen or stuck, go to Settings > Apps, select the app, and tap Force Stop to shut it down completely.
- Closing apps this way does not delete them — they remain installed on your tablet and can be opened again anytime.
- Some older Samsung Galaxy tablets use slightly different gestures, so try both the swipe method and the press-and-hold method if one does not work.
Using the recent apps screen to close multiple apps at once
If you want to close several apps quickly, the recent apps screen is the best place to do it. Swipe up from the bottom and hold until you see all your open apps displayed as cards or thumbnails. You can now swipe each one upward to close it, or tap the X button if your tablet shows one in the corner of each app card.
On some Samsung Galaxy tablets, you will see a "Close All" button at the bottom of the recent apps screen. Tapping this will shut down every open app at once. This is helpful if your tablet is running slowly or you want a fresh start, though you will need to reopen any apps you actually want to use.
Closing apps through the Settings menu
For apps that are not responding or will not close using the swipe method, the Settings menu gives you more control. Open Settings, then tap Apps or process Manager (the exact name depends on your tablet model and Android version). You will see a list of all installed apps.
Find the app you want to close and tap it. You will see a Force Stop button — tap it to shut the app down when ready. A warning may appear asking if you are sure; tap OK to confirm. Force Stop is stronger than a normal close and will stop the app even if it is frozen or stuck in a loop.
Do not confuse Force Stop with Uninstall. Force Stop only closes the app temporarily; it will still be on your tablet and will open normally the next time you tap it. Uninstall removes the app entirely, which you should only do if you no longer want it.
Why your Samsung Galaxy tablet might be slow to close apps
Sometimes an app takes a few seconds to close, or the swipe gesture does not work the first time. This usually happens when the app is using a lot of memory or processing power. If swiping does not close the app, try again — occasionally the tablet needs a moment to register the gesture.
If an app consistently refuses to close, it may have a bug or be outdated. Check the Google Play Store to see if an update is available. Open the Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, tap Manage Apps and Device, then tap the Updates Available tab. Find the app and tap Update. After updating, try closing it again using the normal swipe method.
If the app still will not close, use Force Stop through Settings as described above. If the problem continues after a restart, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the app, though this should be a last resort.
The difference between closing, pausing, and uninstalling apps
Closing an app stops it from running but leaves it installed on your tablet. The app is no longer using memory or battery, but all your data inside that app (saved games, login information, notes) stays on your device. You can open the app again anytime by tapping its icon.
Pausing an app is different — some tablets allow you to pause apps through Settings to prevent them from running in the background or sending notifications. This is useful for apps you want to keep but do not want to use right now. Paused apps still take up storage space but will not drain your battery.
Uninstalling removes the app completely from your tablet, freeing up storage space. However, you will lose any data stored in that app unless you backed it up first. If you think you might want the app again later, close it instead of uninstalling it.
Closing background apps to improve tablet performance
Apps running in the background use memory and battery even when you are not looking at them. If your tablet feels slow or the battery drains quickly, closing background apps can help. Open the recent apps screen by swiping up from the bottom and holding, then close any apps you are not actively using.
Some apps are designed to run in the background — messaging apps, email, and music players often need to stay open to work properly. Close only the apps you know you are not using. If you close an app that needs to run in the background, it will straightforward restart the next time you open it.
For a more permanent solution, you can disable notifications or background activity for specific apps through Settings. Go to Settings > Apps, select an app, tap Notifications, and toggle off Allow Notifications. This stops the app from bothering you without closing it entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does closing an app delete my data or saved progress?
No. Closing an app only stops it from running. All your data, saved games, login information, and settings stay on your tablet. The next time you open the app, everything will be exactly as you left it.
What is the difference between swiping an app away and Force Stop?
Swiping an app away closes it normally, and it may restart automatically if something triggers it. Force Stop is stronger — it stops the app completely and prevents it from restarting on its own. Use Force Stop only for apps that are frozen or misbehaving.
Will closing apps make my tablet faster?
Closing apps frees up memory, which can make your tablet feel more responsive if many apps were open. However, the effect is usually temporary — your tablet will slow down again as you open new apps. If your tablet is consistently slow, restarting it often helps more than closing individual apps.
Can I close the system apps that came with my Samsung Galaxy tablet?
You can close most system apps using the swipe method or Force Stop, but you cannot uninstall them. If a system app is misbehaving, Force Stop it through Settings, then restart your tablet. The app will return to normal when your tablet boots back up.
Why does an app keep reopening after I close it?
Some apps are set to start automatically when your tablet turns on or when certain conditions are met. If an app keeps reopening, go to Settings > Apps, select the app, and look for a Disable or Turn Off option. You can also check if the app has a startup setting within the app itself.