The quickest way to restart an app on Apple TV

To restart an app on Apple TV, open the app switcher by swiping up from the bottom of the Siri Remote touchpad, find the app you want to restart, and swipe up on it to close it. Then return to the home screen and open the app again. This forces the app to reload from scratch rather than resume where it left off.

This method works on all Apple TV models running tvOS 11 or later. The app closes completely and clears its temporary data, which often fixes freezing, crashes, or playback problems without restarting the entire device.

Key Takeaways

  • Swiping up on an app in the app switcher closes it completely, which is the fastest way to restart a single app.
  • The app switcher appears when you swipe up from the bottom of your Siri Remote touchpad while an app is open.
  • Restarting an app clears its temporary files and often fixes playback stuttering, freezing, or login problems without affecting other apps.
  • If restarting the app does not work, you can restart your entire Apple TV through Settings > System > Restart.

Step-by-step: closing and reopening an app

Start with the app you want to restart already open on your screen. On the Siri Remote, locate the touchpad at the top of the remote — it is the flat, clickable surface where you swipe to navigate.

Swipe upward from the bottom edge of the touchpad in one smooth motion. The app switcher will appear, showing a row of recently used apps as cards. Find the app you want to close in this row. Swipe up on that app card to dismiss it — the card will slide off the top of the screen and the app will close.

Press the TV button on the Siri Remote to return to the home screen, or swipe down to go back. Open the app again by clicking on it. The app will now launch fresh, with no cached data or background processes from the previous session.

When to restart an app instead of your whole Apple TV

Restart a single app when you notice problems only in that app — buffering in a streaming service, a login screen that will not load, or an app that freezes mid-use. Restarting just the app is faster and does not interrupt anything else running on your device.

Restart your entire Apple TV only if the problem affects multiple apps, if the remote stops responding, or if restarting the app does not fix the issue. A full restart takes longer but clears the device's memory and resets system processes, which solves problems that a single app restart cannot.

Common reasons apps need restarting

Apps accumulate temporary files and cache data while they run. Over time, this data can become corrupted or outdated, causing the app to stutter, freeze, or fail to load new content. Restarting clears this temporary storage and forces the app to fetch fresh data from the server.

Login sessions also expire or become unstable. If you see a login screen that will not accept your password, or if the app keeps signing you out, closing and reopening the app will refresh your session. Streaming apps in particular benefit from this — restarting often fixes buffering or playback errors that appear mid-show.

Restarting your entire Apple TV if one app does not fix it

If restarting the app does not solve the problem, restart your Apple TV itself. On the Siri Remote, press and hold the TV and Menu buttons at the same time for about three seconds. A menu will appear with options including Restart — select it and confirm.

Alternatively, go to Settings > System > Restart from the home screen. A full restart takes about 30 seconds and clears the device's RAM, closes all running apps, and resets system processes. This solves problems that affect multiple apps or the entire interface.

Uninstalling and reinstalling an app as a last step

If restarting both the app and the device does not work, the app itself may be corrupted or outdated. Uninstall it by pressing and holding the app icon on the home screen until a menu appears, then select Delete. Confirm the deletion.

Go to the App Store, search for the app by name, and read it again. This installs a fresh copy with no corrupted files. After installation completes, open the app and sign in if needed. Most apps will remember your account information even after reinstalling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does restarting an app delete my login information?

No. Restarting an app closes it and clears temporary files, but your saved login information, preferences, and account data remain stored on the device. When you open the app again, you will usually stay logged in without having to enter your password.

What is the difference between closing an app and restarting it?

Closing an app removes it from memory and stops it from running. Restarting means closing it and then opening it again so it launches fresh. The terms are often used interchangeably, but restarting specifically means you are opening it again after closing.

Can I restart multiple apps at once?

You can close multiple apps one at a time using the app switcher, but you must close each one individually by swiping up on it. There is no option to close all apps at once, though restarting your entire Apple TV will close everything and clear the system.

Will restarting an app fix streaming problems?

Often yes. Streaming apps cache video data and connection information that can become outdated or corrupted. Restarting the app clears this cache and forces it to reconnect to the server, which fixes many buffering and playback errors. If the problem persists, check your internet connection or restart your Apple TV.