The fastest way to restart an app on Apple TV

To restart an app on Apple TV, press and hold the Select button on your remote while the app is open or highlighted on the home screen. After about three seconds, a menu will appear. Swipe down to "Close" and press Select. The app will shut down completely. Then open it again by clicking on its icon.

This method works on all Apple TV models running tvOS 11 and later. The app will reload from scratch, which clears temporary files and resets its memory. Most playback issues, freezing, and crashes resolve after a full close and restart.

If you are watching something inside the app when it freezes or crashes, you can force-close it the same way — press and hold Select, choose Close, and reopen it. Your place in a video or game may not be saved, depending on the app.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold the Select button on your remote for three seconds to bring up the close menu for any app.
  • Swipe down to "Close" and press Select to shut the app down completely before reopening it.
  • A full restart clears the app's temporary files and memory, which fixes most freezing and playback problems.
  • You can force-close an app even if it is frozen or unresponsive using the same Select button method.
  • Some apps may not save your progress or playback position after a force close, so check before restarting during active use.

When to restart an app instead of restarting your Apple TV

Restarting a single app is faster and safer than restarting your entire Apple TV device. Use this method when only one app is misbehaving — freezing, crashing, or playing video with audio out of sync. If you restart just the app, you keep everything else running and do not lose any other open connections.

Restart your whole Apple TV only if multiple apps are acting up, if the home screen itself is slow, or if an app restart does not fix the problem. A full device restart takes longer but clears more system memory and can resolve deeper issues.

Restarting apps that are frozen or not responding

If an app is frozen and will not respond to remote clicks, the Select button method still works. Press and hold Select for three seconds even if nothing appears to happen on screen. The close menu should appear after a few seconds of holding the button.

If the menu does not appear after holding Select for five seconds, let go and try again. If the app still will not close, restart your entire Apple TV by going to Settings > System > Restart. This is a last resort and takes about a minute, but it will force all apps to close.

Restarting apps on different Apple TV models

The Select button method works the same way on Apple TV 4K (all generations), Apple TV HD, and Apple TV (3rd generation). The remote button layout is identical across these models, so the instructions do not change.

If you are using an older Apple TV (2nd generation or earlier), you may not have the ability to close individual apps. These older models do not run tvOS and do not support app management in the same way. Check your device's manual or contact Apple Support if you are unsure which model you own.

What happens when you restart an app

When you close and reopen an app, it clears the app's cache — temporary files and data stored in memory. This includes login sessions, partially loaded videos, and game progress that was not saved to the cloud. The app will start fresh as if you had just installed it.

Most apps will remember your account login and settings because those are stored on Apple's servers or in the app's permanent storage, not in the cache. However, if you were in the middle of watching a video or playing a game, you may have to start from the beginning or from your last saved checkpoint.

Restarting apps versus updating them

Restarting an app is different from updating it. A restart closes and reopens the app you already have. An update installs a newer version of the app from the App Store, which may include bug fixes and new features.

If an app is crashing or freezing, try restarting it first — it is faster and often solves the problem. If restarting does not work, check the App Store to see if an update is available. Go to App Store > Updates and look for the app in the list. If an update is pending, install it and then restart the app again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will restarting an app delete my saved games or watch history?

No. Saved games, watch history, and account information are stored on the app's servers or in permanent storage on your Apple TV, not in the temporary cache that gets cleared. Your progress and history will be there when you reopen the app, as long as you are logged into the same account.

What if the Select button does not work on my remote?

Try clicking the center of the touchpad on your Siri Remote (the flat circular area in the middle). This is the Select button. If it still does not respond, the remote may need new batteries or a repair. You can also use the Apple TV Remote app on your iPhone or iPad as a backup remote.

Can I restart multiple apps at once?

No. You have to close and reopen each app individually. There is no bulk close option in tvOS. If many apps are acting up, restarting your entire Apple TV is faster than closing them one by one.

How long does it take to restart an app?

Most apps close and reopen in five to ten seconds. Larger apps like streaming services may take up to 20 seconds to fully load. If an app takes longer than 30 seconds to reopen, it may be having deeper problems — try restarting your Apple TV device instead.

Does restarting an app use internet data?

Closing an app does not use data. When you reopen it, the app will reconnect to the internet and may read fresh content or refresh its display, which uses a small amount of data. This is normal and should not affect your monthly data limit unless you are on a very restricted plan.