The fastest way to close a tab or app on Apple TV

To close an app or tab on Apple TV, swipe up on the Siri Remote touchpad while the app is open, then select "Close" from the menu that appears. This works on tvOS 13 and later. On older Apple TV models with the aluminum remote, press and hold the Menu button instead, then choose "Close App" from the options shown.

The swipe-up gesture is the standard method across all current Apple TV devices. You do not need to go into settings or navigate through multiple menus — the close option appears when ready after the gesture. If you are using an older remote or the gesture does not work, the Menu button method will accomplish the same result.

Key Takeaways

  • Swipe up on the Siri Remote touchpad to open the app menu, then select "Close" to shut down the current app.
  • On aluminum remotes (pre-2015 models), press and hold the Menu button instead of swiping to access the close option.
  • Closing an app completely removes it from memory and can help if an app is frozen or running slowly.
  • Switching between apps by pressing the TV/Home button does not close the previous app — it stays running in the background.

Why you might need to close an app on Apple TV

Apps on Apple TV run in the background even after you stop using them. If an app is frozen, crashing, or responding slowly, closing it completely and reopening it often fixes the problem. This is different from straightforward switching to another app, which leaves the first one still active.

Closing apps can also free up memory if your Apple TV is running multiple apps at once. While Apple TV manages background apps fairly well, closing ones you are not using can improve performance, especially on older models or if you have many apps installed.

Step-by-step: closing an app with the Siri Remote

Step 1: Make sure the app you want to close is currently open and visible on your screen.

Step 2: Swipe upward on the Siri Remote touchpad (the flat, clickable surface at the top of the remote). You should see a menu appear at the top of the screen showing options like "Close", "Settings", and others depending on the app.

Step 3: Click on "Close" from the menu. The app will shut down when ready and return you to the home screen or the app you were in before.

If the menu does not appear after swiping up, try swiping more deliberately or from a different part of the touchpad. Some users find that swiping from the bottom edge of the touchpad works better than swiping from the center.

Closing apps on older Apple TV models with the aluminum remote

If you have an Apple TV from 2015 or earlier, your remote is the aluminum model without a touchpad. To close an app on these devices, press and hold the Menu button (the one with three horizontal lines) for about one second. A menu will appear with options including "Close App".

Once the menu appears, use the arrow buttons to highlight "Close App" and press the center Select button to confirm. The app will close and you will return to the home screen. This method is slower than the Siri Remote gesture, but it works reliably on all older models.

What happens when you close an app versus switching away from it

When you press the TV/Home button to return to the home screen or switch to another app, the previous app does not close — it stays running in the background. This is why you might notice an app is still in the same state (same video paused, same page loaded) when you return to it later.

Closing an app completely stops it from running. The next time you open it, it will start fresh. For most apps this does not matter, but for apps that are frozen, using too much power, or showing errors, closing and reopening them is often the fastest fix.

Troubleshooting if the close option does not appear

If you swipe up and do not see a menu, the app may not support the close gesture. Some built-in apps like TV and Music have limited menu options. Try swiping again from a different part of the touchpad, or try pressing the Menu button instead if you have a Siri Remote.

If the app is completely frozen and will not respond to any input, restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. Once it restarts, the frozen app will be closed automatically. You can then open it again to see if the problem is resolved.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Apple TV is plugged into power, so battery is not a concern. Closing apps is useful only if an app is frozen, running slowly, or using too much processing power. Otherwise, leaving apps running in the background does not harm your device.

Will closing an app delete my saved progress or login information?

No. Closing an app stops it from running but does not erase any data stored on your Apple TV. Your login information, saved games, and preferences will remain the next time you open the app.

Can I close multiple apps at once?

No. You must close apps one at a time. Open each app, swipe up, select "Close", and repeat for the next app. There is no option to close all apps at once from the home screen.

What if my Siri Remote touchpad is not responding?

Try restarting the remote by holding down the Menu and TV buttons together for about five seconds until the light on the remote flashes. If that does not work, try replacing the batteries. If the touchpad still does not respond, use the Menu button method instead, or consider replacing the remote.