The fastest way to close an app on Apple TV

To close an app on Apple TV, swipe up on the Siri Remote touchpad while the app is open. This brings up the app switcher — a row of recently used apps at the top of the screen. Swipe up again or press the Menu button to return to the home screen. The app closes in the background.

On older Apple TV models with the aluminum remote, hold down the Menu button for a few seconds until the app closes. The behavior depends on which Apple TV model and tvOS version you have, so if swiping up does not work, try holding Menu instead.

Closing apps this way removes them from active memory, which can help if an app is frozen, draining battery, or slowing down your device. Most apps do not need to be manually closed — Apple TV manages them automatically — but force-closing is useful when something stops responding.

Key Takeaways

  • Swipe up on the Siri Remote touchpad to open the app switcher, then swipe up again or press Menu to close the current app.
  • On aluminum remotes, hold the Menu button for several seconds to force-close an unresponsive app.
  • Closing apps frees memory and can fix freezing or slow performance, though Apple TV handles most app management automatically.
  • Apps closed from the switcher do not uninstall — they remain on your device and can be reopened from the home screen.

Using the app switcher to close multiple apps at once

The app switcher shows your most recently opened apps in a horizontal row. Swipe up from the home screen or from within an app to reveal it. Once the switcher is visible, you can navigate left and right to see other apps you have used recently.

To close a specific app from the switcher, highlight it and press the Menu button. The app closes and the switcher remains open so you can close others. This is faster than closing one app, returning to the home screen, and opening the next one.

The app switcher does not show every app on your device — only the ones you have opened in the current session. If you want to close an app that is not in the switcher, open it first, then close it using the same method.

Force-closing a frozen or unresponsive app

If an app stops responding, hangs, or crashes repeatedly, force-closing it usually fixes the problem. Swipe up to the app switcher, highlight the frozen app, and press Menu. If the app does not close, hold Menu for three to five seconds until it disappears.

After force-closing, wait a few seconds before reopening the app. This gives your Apple TV time to clear the app's memory and reset its processes. If the app crashes again when ready, restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.

Persistent crashes can mean the app needs an update. Check the App Store on your Apple TV to see if a newer version is available. Outdated apps sometimes conflict with newer tvOS versions and cause instability.

The difference between closing and uninstalling an app

Closing an app removes it from active memory but leaves it installed on your device. You can reopen it anytime from the home screen. Uninstalling removes the app entirely — you would need to read it again from the App Store if you want it back.

Most users only need to close apps, not uninstall them. Closing is temporary and reversible. Uninstalling is useful if you want to free up storage space or remove an app you no longer use. To uninstall, press and hold the app icon on the home screen, then select Delete.

When you should and should not close apps

Close an app if it is frozen, crashing, or draining your device's performance. You may also close apps you are done using if you want to free memory for other tasks. However, Apple TV is designed to manage apps automatically — closing them is not necessary for normal operation.

Do not close apps repeatedly as a troubleshooting step unless they are actually misbehaving. Constant closing and reopening can sometimes cause more problems than it solves. If an app crashes multiple times, restart your Apple TV instead of just closing the app.

Background app refresh and app notifications are separate from closing. If you want to prevent an app from running in the background or sending notifications, go to Settings > Apps and adjust those permissions individually. Closing the app does not change those settings.

Restarting your Apple TV when closing apps does not help

If closing an app does not fix freezing or slow performance, restart your Apple TV. Unplug the power cable from the back of the device, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. The device will boot up and reload tvOS, which clears temporary files and resets all running processes.

A full restart is more thorough than closing a single app. It stops all apps at once, clears the system cache, and gives your Apple TV a fresh start. Most performance problems resolve after a restart.

If your Apple TV still runs slowly after a restart, check Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit to see how much storage is available. Low storage can slow down the entire system. Delete apps or content you no longer use to free up space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does closing an app delete my saved data or progress?

No. Closing an app does not erase saved data, login information, or progress in games or shows. Your data stays on the device and in the cloud if the app syncs with a server. When you reopen the app, everything is exactly as you left it.

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

Repeated crashes usually mean the app needs an update or your Apple TV needs a restart. Check the App Store for a newer version of the app. If no update is available, restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If the app still crashes, uninstall and reinstall it from the App Store.

Can I close all apps at once?

There is no button to close all apps simultaneously. You can close them one at a time using the app switcher, or restart your Apple TV to stop all apps at once. A restart is faster if you want to clear everything.

Will closing apps make my Apple TV faster?

Closing apps frees memory, which can help if your device is sluggish. However, Apple TV manages memory automatically, so closing apps is usually not necessary. If performance is slow, restart your Apple TV or check how much storage is available in Settings.