How to Close Apps on Apple TV Using Your iPhone or iPad

You can close Apple TV apps from your phone using the Control Center or the Apple TV Remote app

The fastest way to close an app on Apple TV from your iPhone or iPad is through Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your phone's screen, tap the Apple TV icon, then select the app you want to close and swipe up on it. This works on any iPhone or iPad running iOS 16.1 or later that is signed into the same iCloud account as your Apple TV.

If Control Center does not show your Apple TV, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your phone and Apple TV are signed into the same Apple ID. You can also close apps using the Apple TV Remote app, which gives you more control over what is running on your TV.

Key Takeaways

Control Center on your iPhone or iPad is the quickest way to close Apple TV apps — swipe down from the top-right corner and tap the Apple TV icon.
Both your phone and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network and signed into the same iCloud account for Control Center to work.
The Apple TV Remote app lets you see all running apps and close them individually without using Control Center.
If an app is frozen or unresponsive, force-closing it from your phone will restart it the next time you open it.
You can also close apps directly on the Apple TV using the remote by holding the touch surface and swiping up.

Using Control Center to close apps

Control Center is built into your iPhone or iPad and connects to your Apple TV without any extra setup. Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen (on iPhone X and later) or swiping up from the bottom (on older models). Look for the Apple TV icon — it looks like a small TV screen.

Tap the Apple TV icon to see a list of your Apple TV devices. Select the one you want to control. You will then see all the apps currently running on that Apple TV. To close an app, swipe up on it. The app will close when ready, and you will return to the Apple TV home screen or whatever was running before.

If the Apple TV icon does not appear in Control Center, your phone and Apple TV are not on the same network or are not signed into the same iCloud account. Check your Wi-Fi connection and Apple ID settings on both devices, then try again.

Using the Apple TV Remote app

The Apple TV Remote app is a free read from the App Store that turns your iPhone or iPad into a full remote control for your Apple TV. It shows you everything running on your TV and lets you close apps one at a time. Open the app and tap the Apple TV device you want to control from the list.

Once connected, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom of the screen. This opens a panel showing all open apps. Swipe left on any app to reveal a close button, then tap it. The app will close when ready. You can also use the Apple TV Remote app to navigate menus, play and pause content, and adjust volume — all from your phone.

The Remote app requires the same Wi-Fi connection and iCloud account as Control Center. If you use the Remote app regularly, you may find it easier than Control Center because you can see all running apps at once without switching between screens.

What happens when you close an app

Closing an app on Apple TV stops it from running but does not delete it. The app remains installed on your TV and will open normally the next time you select it. Your place in the app — like where you were watching a show or what page you were on — will not be saved; the app will restart fresh when you open it again.

Closing apps can free up memory on your Apple TV if it is running slowly or if an app has frozen. If an app is not responding to commands, closing it and reopening it often fixes the problem. You do not need to restart your entire Apple TV to close a single app.

Troubleshooting when Control Center does not work

If Control Center does not show your Apple TV, start by checking that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Your phone and Apple TV cannot communicate across different networks. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad, go to Wi-Fi, and confirm you are connected to the same network name as your Apple TV.

Next, verify that both devices are signed into the same iCloud account. On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings and tap your name at the top. On your Apple TV, go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, then select iCloud. If the accounts do not match, sign out of one device and sign in with the correct account.

If both devices are on the same network and account but Control Center still does not show the Apple TV icon, restart both devices. Turn off your phone and Apple TV completely, wait 10 seconds, then turn them back on. This often restores the connection. If the problem continues, try using the Apple TV Remote app instead, which sometimes works when Control Center does not.

Closing apps directly on the Apple TV remote

You do not need your phone to close apps on Apple TV. You can close them using the physical Apple TV remote as well. While an app is open, hold down the touch surface (the flat area at the top of the remote) for a few seconds. A menu will appear showing the app and options to close it.

Swipe up on the touch surface to close the app. This method works the same way as closing from your phone — the app stops running but remains installed. If you prefer not to use your phone, this is the quickest way to close an app without leaving what you are watching.

When to force-close an app versus closing normally

Closing an app from your phone or remote is the normal way to stop an app. Force-closing is different — it means stopping an app that is frozen or not responding. On Apple TV, you cannot force-close an app the way you can on an iPhone; closing an app is the only option available from your phone or remote.

If an app is completely frozen and will not respond to any commands, closing it from your phone using Control Center or the Remote app will still work. The app will close even if it is not responding. After closing it, wait a few seconds before opening it again to let your Apple TV reset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to close apps on Apple TV to save battery?

No. Apple TV is plugged into power and does not run on battery. Closing apps does not save electricity or extend the life of your TV. Close apps only if they are frozen, if you want to free up memory, or if you straightforward prefer a clean home screen.

Will closing an app delete my saved progress or settings?

No. Closing an app stops it from running but does not erase any data. Your login information, saved games, watch history, and preferences will remain the next time you open the app. The app will straightforward restart from its home screen.

Can I close multiple apps at once from my phone?

Control Center and the Remote app both let you close apps one at a time. There is no option to close all running apps at once from your phone. If you want to close many apps quickly, you can close them in succession by swiping up on each one in Control Center.

What if my phone and Apple TV are on different Wi-Fi networks?

Control Center and the Remote app will not work if your devices are on different networks. They must be on the same Wi-Fi network to communicate. Connect both to the same network, then try again. If you have a guest network, make sure both devices are on the main network, not the guest one.

Can I close apps on someone else's Apple TV from my phone?

No. You can only control an Apple TV that is signed into your iCloud account. If you are visiting someone else's home, you would need to use their physical remote to close apps, or they would need to add your iCloud account to their Apple TV first.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.