The fastest way to force close an app on Apple TV
To force close an app on Apple TV, hold down the Menu button on your Siri Remote for about three seconds until the app preview shrinks and a row of icons appears at the top of the screen. Then press the Menu button again. The app will close when ready.
This method works on Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models running tvOS 12 or later. If you have an older Apple TV or a different remote, the process is slightly different — see the section below for your specific model.
Force closing is useful when an app freezes, stops responding to remote commands, or drains battery power. It does not delete the app or your data inside it; it straightforward stops the app from running in the background.
Key Takeaways
- Hold the Menu button on your Siri Remote for three seconds, then press Menu again to force close any app.
- Force closing stops an unresponsive app without deleting it or your saved data.
- Older Apple TV models and non-Siri remotes use a different method: navigate to the app and hold the Select button instead.
- If an app repeatedly freezes or crashes, restart your Apple TV by holding Menu and Home together for about ten seconds.
- You can also remove an app from the home screen by highlighting it, holding Select, and choosing "Remove" — this does not delete your account or progress in that app.
Force closing on Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD with a Siri Remote
The Siri Remote (the aluminum remote with a clickpad) is the standard remote for newer Apple TV models. To force close an app, start by pressing the Menu button once to go back to the home screen or app switcher. Then hold down the Menu button for about three seconds. You will see the app preview shrink and a row of icons appear at the top of the screen.
Once those icons appear, press the Menu button one more time. The app will close when ready and you will return to the home screen. This works for any app — built-in apps like TV and Music, streaming services like Netflix or Disney+, or games.
If the app does not close after the second Menu press, try holding Menu for a full five seconds before pressing it again. Some apps take longer to respond to the force close command.
Force closing on older Apple TV models and non-Siri remotes
If you have an Apple TV (3rd generation) or earlier, or if your remote does not have a clickpad, use this method instead. Navigate to the app you want to close using the arrow buttons on your remote. Highlight the app icon on the home screen.
Hold down the Select button (the center button) for about three seconds. A menu will appear with options including "Remove". Do not choose "Remove" unless you want to delete the app from your home screen. Instead, straightforward release the Select button and press the Menu button to exit. The app will close in the background.
On very old Apple TV models, you may need to restart the device instead. Hold down the Menu button and the Home button together for about ten seconds until the Apple TV logo appears on screen.
What happens when you force close an app
Force closing stops an app from running but does not erase it from your Apple TV or delete any data stored in that app. Your login information, saved games, watch history, and preferences remain intact. The next time you open the app, it will start fresh as if you had just launched it normally.
Force closing is different from removing an app from the home screen. When you remove an app, it stays installed on your Apple TV but disappears from view. When you force close an app, it remains on your home screen exactly where it was.
If an app repeatedly crashes or freezes after you force close it, the problem may be with the app itself or with your Apple TV's storage or memory. Restarting your Apple TV (by holding Menu and Home for ten seconds) often fixes recurring crashes.
When to force close versus when to restart your Apple TV
Force close a single app when only that app is misbehaving — it freezes, stops responding to remote input, or plays audio but no video. This solves the problem in seconds without affecting other apps or your Apple TV settings.
Restart your entire Apple TV when multiple apps are slow or unresponsive, when the home screen itself lags, or when you see the same app crash repeatedly even after force closing it. To restart, hold the Menu button and Home button together for about ten seconds until the screen goes black and the Apple TV logo appears. Wait about 30 seconds for the device to fully restart.
Restarting clears your Apple TV's temporary memory and can fix issues that force closing alone cannot solve. It does not delete any apps, accounts, or settings.
Removing an app from your home screen versus force closing
If you want an app off your home screen but do not want to delete it entirely, you can remove it without force closing. Highlight the app, hold the Select button for three seconds, and choose "Remove from Home Screen" (the exact wording varies by tvOS version). The app stays installed and you can add it back later by going to the App Store and searching for it.
If you want to delete an app completely from your Apple TV, highlight it, hold Select, and choose "Delete" or "Remove App". You will be asked to confirm. Deleting removes the app and all its data — if you reinstall it later, you will start from scratch with no saved progress or login information.
Force closing is temporary and does not change your home screen or delete anything. It is the quickest fix for an app that is not responding right now.
Troubleshooting if force close does not work
If you hold Menu for three seconds and the app preview does not shrink, your remote may not be paired correctly with your Apple TV. Try holding the Menu button for a full five seconds instead of three. If that does not work, move closer to your Apple TV — interference or distance can prevent the remote signal from reaching the device.
If the app preview shrinks but pressing Menu again does not close the app, restart your Apple TV by holding Menu and Home together for ten seconds. This forces the device to shut down and restart, which will close all running apps.
If the same app crashes repeatedly even after restarting your Apple TV, the app itself may have a bug or may not be compatible with your tvOS version. Check the App Store to see if an update is available. If no update exists, try deleting and reinstalling the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does force closing an app delete my saved data or login information?
No. Force closing stops the app from running but does not erase anything. Your login information, saved games, watch history, and preferences stay on your Apple TV. The next time you open the app, everything will be exactly as you left it.
Can I force close multiple apps at once?
No. You must force close apps one at a time. If many apps are slow or crashing, restart your entire Apple TV instead by holding Menu and Home together for ten seconds.
What is the difference between force closing and removing an app from the home screen?
Force closing stops an app from running right now but leaves it on your home screen. Removing an app from the home screen hides it but keeps it installed. Deleting an app removes it completely and erases all its data. Force closing is temporary; the app stays where it is.
Why does my app keep crashing even after I force close it?
Repeated crashes usually mean the app has a bug, your Apple TV is low on storage, or the app is not compatible with your tvOS version. Try restarting your Apple TV, checking the App Store for an update to the app, or deleting and reinstalling it. If the problem continues, the app itself may need to be fixed by its developer.
How long does it take to force close an app?
Force closing takes about five seconds total — three seconds to hold Menu, then one more press to close. The app stops when ready after that second Menu press.