Force closing an app on Apple TV stops it completely without restarting the whole device
When an app freezes, crashes, or runs slowly on Apple TV, you do not need to restart the entire device. You can force close just that app in seconds. The method depends on which Apple TV model you own — the newer tvOS-based models (4th generation and later) use a different process than older ones.
Force closing an app clears it from memory and stops any background processes it is running. This often fixes glitches without losing your place in other apps or interrupting what is playing elsewhere on your TV.
Key Takeaways
- On Apple TV 4th generation and newer, swipe up on the Siri Remote to open the app switcher, then swipe up again on the frozen app to close it.
- On older Apple TV models (2nd and 3rd generation), hold the Menu button until the app quits, or navigate to Settings and restart the device.
- Force closing an app does not delete it or sign you out — it straightforward stops the app from running.
- If an app continues to freeze after force closing, restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in.
Force close on Apple TV 4th generation and newer
On the current Apple TV models, the app switcher is your fastest route. Hold the Siri Remote in your hand and swipe up from the bottom of the touchpad. This opens a row of recently used apps at the bottom of your screen.
Find the app you want to close. Swipe left or right across the row until the frozen or misbehaving app is highlighted. Once it is selected, swipe up on the touchpad again — a quick upward flick. The app will disappear from the switcher and close completely. You can now open it again fresh, or switch to a different app.
If you cannot see the app in the switcher row, it may already be closed. Try opening it again to see if the problem persists.
Force close on Apple TV 2nd and 3rd generation
Older Apple TV models do not have a touchpad remote, so the process is different. Hold down the Menu button on your remote for about 6 seconds. The app will quit and return you to the home screen. This is the equivalent of force closing on newer models.
If holding Menu does not work, or if you want to clear the app completely from memory, you can restart the entire device. Go to Settings on the home screen, select System, then choose Restart. The device will shut down and start up again, which clears all running apps.
What happens after you force close an app
Force closing does not delete the app or erase any of your saved data inside it. The next time you open it, it will start fresh — you will not be signed out of accounts, and any progress you made before the freeze will still be there (unless the app crashed before saving).
The app will use a small amount of memory and processing power again once you reopen it. If the same app keeps freezing, the problem may be with the app itself rather than your Apple TV. Check the App Store to see if an update is available, or try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
When to restart your Apple TV instead
If force closing one app does not fix the problem, or if multiple apps are running slowly, restart the entire device. Unplug your Apple TV from the power outlet, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. This clears the memory of all running apps and often solves performance issues.
A full restart takes about 30 seconds. Your home screen will reappear, and you can open apps normally. You will not lose any settings, accounts, or downloaded apps — a restart only clears temporary data that apps store while they are running.
Prevent apps from freezing in the future
Keep your Apple TV and its apps up to date. Go to Settings, select System, then Software Updates. If an update is available, install it. App updates also matter — check the App Store regularly for updates to the apps you use most.
Close apps you are not using if your Apple TV is running slowly. Use the app switcher (swipe up from the bottom on newer models) to see what is running, and close anything you do not need. This frees up memory for the app you are actively watching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will force closing an app delete my saved data?
No. Force closing stops the app but does not erase anything stored inside it. Your login information, watch history, and saved settings will remain the next time you open the app. The only data that disappears is temporary information the app was holding in memory while it was running.
What is the difference between force closing and restarting Apple TV?
Force closing stops only one app and takes a few seconds. Restarting shuts down the entire device and clears all running apps, which takes about 30 seconds. Use force close for a single frozen app; use restart if multiple apps are slow or if force closing did not work.
Can I force close an app while watching it?
Yes. If an app freezes while you are using it, swipe up twice on the Siri Remote (on newer models) or hold Menu (on older models) to close it when ready. You will return to the home screen, and you can open a different app or reopen the same one.
Why does the same app keep freezing?
Repeated freezing usually means the app has a bug or is not compatible with your Apple TV model. Check the App Store for an update to the app. If no update is available, try uninstalling the app and reinstalling it. If it still freezes, contact the app developer or switch to a different app that does the same thing.