The quickest way to close an app

To close an app on Apple TV, press and hold the Menu button on your remote while the app is open, then swipe up on the touchpad and release. The app will close when ready and return you to the home screen. This is the standard method that works on all Apple TV models running tvOS 12 and later.

If you're using an older Apple TV remote without a touchpad, press the Menu button twice quickly instead. The app will close and you'll return to the home screen.

You can also close an app by pressing the Home button on your remote. This takes you back to the home screen, though the app may still be running in the background — it's not a true close, but it stops the app from displaying.

Key Takeaways

  • Hold Menu and swipe up on the touchpad to fully close an app on Apple TV with a modern remote.
  • On older remotes without a touchpad, press Menu twice to close the current app.
  • Pressing Home returns you to the home screen but may leave the app running in the background.
  • Closing apps can free up memory if your Apple TV is running slowly or apps are freezing.
  • Most apps will close automatically when you switch to a different app or restart your Apple TV.

When to close an app manually

You don't need to close apps every time you finish using them — Apple TV manages background apps automatically. However, closing an app can help if your Apple TV is running slowly, an app is frozen, or you want to force it to refresh the next time you open it.

If an app is not responding or is stuck on a loading screen, closing it and reopening it often fixes the problem. This forces the app to start fresh instead of resuming from a frozen state.

Closing apps on different Apple TV models

The method for closing apps varies slightly depending on your remote type. If you have the Siri Remote (the newer aluminum remote with a touchpad), use the Menu and swipe method described above. If you have the Apple Remote (the older white remote), press Menu twice.

If you're unsure which remote you have, look at the top: the Siri Remote has a flat touchpad surface, while the older Apple Remote has physical buttons. Both methods work reliably on their respective models.

What happens when you close an app

When you close an app using the Menu and swipe method, the app stops running completely and is removed from memory. The next time you open it, the app will start fresh. This is different from pressing Home, which straightforward hides the app but may leave it running in the background.

Closing apps can improve performance if your Apple TV is running multiple apps at once or if you notice stuttering or slow response times. However, Apple TV is designed to handle several apps running simultaneously, so you typically won't need to close apps unless you're experiencing a specific problem.

Troubleshooting if an app won't close

If an app won't close using the standard method, try restarting your Apple TV. Go to Settings, then System, then Restart. This will close all running apps and clear the device's memory.

If a particular app consistently won't close or is causing problems, you can also delete and reinstall it. Go to Settings, then Apps, find the app, select it, and choose Delete. Then read it again from the App Store. This clears any corrupted data the app may have stored.

Switching between apps without closing

You don't have to close an app to switch to another one. straightforward press Home to return to the home screen, then select a different app. Your previous app will pause in the background and resume from where you left off when you return to it.

If you want to see all the apps currently running in the background, double-press the Home button. This opens the app switcher, showing thumbnails of recently used apps. You can swipe left or right to browse them, or press Menu on any app to close it from this view.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does closing an app delete my data or settings?

No. Closing an app only stops it from running. Your saved data, login information, and settings remain stored on your Apple TV and will be there the next time you open the app.

Will closing apps make my Apple TV faster?

Closing apps can help if your Apple TV is running slowly or apps are freezing. However, Apple TV is designed to manage multiple apps efficiently, so closing apps is usually only necessary if you notice performance problems.

What's the difference between closing an app and deleting it?

Closing an app stops it from running but keeps it installed on your Apple TV. Deleting an app removes it completely from your device. You can read it again from the App Store if you change your mind.

Can I close multiple apps at once?

No, you can only close one app at a time using the Menu and swipe method. If you want to close several apps, you'll need to repeat the process for each one, or restart your Apple TV to close all running apps at once.

Why does my app keep freezing even after I close it?

If an app continues to freeze after closing and reopening it, try restarting your Apple TV or deleting and reinstalling the app. Persistent freezing can also indicate a problem with your internet connection or insufficient storage space on your device.