Swipe up from the bottom of the remote to close any app

To close an app on Apple TV, hold your finger on the Siri Remote's trackpad and swipe upward. This gesture brings up the app switcher—a row of recently used apps displayed at the bottom of your screen. Once the switcher appears, you can swipe left or right to highlight the app you want to close, then swipe up again to remove it from memory.

This method works on Apple TV 4K (all generations) and Apple TV HD. The gesture is the same whether you're closing a streaming app like Netflix, a game, or any other installed process. The app closes when ready and returns you to whatever you were viewing before you opened the switcher.

Key Takeaways

  • Swipe upward on the Siri Remote trackpad to open the app switcher at the bottom of the screen.
  • Use left and right swipes to navigate between recently used apps in the switcher row.
  • Swipe upward again on the app you want to close, and it will shut down completely.
  • Closing apps can help free up memory if Apple TV is running slowly or an app has frozen.
  • You can also press and hold the Menu button as an alternative way to access the app switcher on some Apple TV models.

Step-by-step: closing an app with the swipe method

Start by making sure you're on the home screen or inside any app. Place your finger on the center of the Siri Remote's trackpad—the flat, circular surface at the top of the remote. Press down gently and hold your finger in place.

While holding your finger down, drag it upward toward the top of the trackpad in one smooth motion. You should see the app switcher appear at the bottom of your TV screen within a second or two. The switcher shows a horizontal row of apps you've used recently, with the current app highlighted.

If the app you want to close is already highlighted, swipe upward again on the trackpad to close it. If you need to close a different app, swipe left or right on the trackpad to move the highlight to that app, then swipe upward to close it. The app will shut down when ready.

What to do if the swipe gesture isn't working

If swiping upward doesn't bring up the app switcher, make sure you're pressing and holding on the trackpad before you swipe. Many users swipe too quickly without the initial press-and-hold, which prevents the switcher from appearing. Try again: press down on the trackpad, keep your finger in contact with it, and then drag upward slowly.

If the trackpad itself is unresponsive, the remote may need new batteries. Replace the batteries in your Siri Remote and try again. You can also try restarting the remote by unplugging your Apple TV for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully boot up.

On older Apple TV models, you may need to press and hold the Menu button instead of using the swipe gesture. Check your Apple TV's generation—if you have an Apple TV 3rd generation or earlier, the swipe method won't work, and you'll need to use the Menu button approach or straightforward navigate away from the app.

When you should close apps on Apple TV

You don't need to close apps every time you finish using them. Apple TV manages memory automatically, and apps in the background use very little power. However, closing an app can help if your Apple TV is running slowly, if an app has frozen and won't respond, or if you notice stuttering or lag during playback.

If a streaming app is buffering constantly or a game is crashing, close it using the swipe method and reopen it fresh. This clears the app's temporary memory and often fixes performance problems. You should also close apps if you're troubleshooting a connection issue or if you want to may support an app starts completely fresh the next time you open it.

The difference between closing an app and deleting it

Closing an app using the swipe method removes it from active memory but does not delete it from your Apple TV. The app remains installed and available on your home screen. When you close an app this way, you're straightforward stopping it from running in the background.

Deleting an app is a separate action that removes it from your Apple TV entirely. To delete an app, navigate to it on the home screen, press and hold the trackpad, and select "Delete" from the menu. Closing and deleting serve different purposes: close an app when you want to stop it temporarily, delete it when you no longer want it installed.

Troubleshooting a frozen app

If an app is frozen and won't respond to remote input, the swipe method may not work because the app isn't accepting commands. In this case, press the Menu button on your Siri Remote to exit the app and return to the home screen. Once you're back at home, use the swipe method to close the frozen app from the app switcher.

If the entire Apple TV is unresponsive and you can't navigate at all, unplug the device from power for 30 seconds. Plug it back in and wait for it to restart completely. This forces all apps to close and gives the system a fresh start. After restart, you can reopen the app that was causing problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does closing apps on Apple TV save battery or power?

Closing apps saves very little power because Apple TV is plugged into an outlet and apps in the background use minimal resources. Close apps mainly to fix performance problems, not to save energy. If you want to reduce power use, put your Apple TV to sleep or turn it off completely.

Will closing an app delete my saved progress or settings?

No. Closing an app does not delete your saved data, login information, or progress in games or shows. Your data stays on the Apple TV and in the app's cloud storage. When you reopen the app, everything will be exactly as you left it.

Can I close multiple apps at once?

The swipe method closes one app at a time. If you want to close several apps, use the app switcher to close them one by one. There is no built-in way to close all apps simultaneously, but restarting your Apple TV will close everything at once.

What if my Siri Remote trackpad is broken?

If the trackpad doesn't respond, you can use a third-party remote or pair an alternative Bluetooth remote to your Apple TV. You can also use the Apple TV Remote app on your iPhone or iPad to control your Apple TV and close apps. Navigate to the app switcher using the app and swipe to close.

Is there a faster way to close apps than using the swipe method?

The swipe method is the standard way to close apps on Apple TV. There is no faster built-in shortcut. If you want to close an app quickly, the swipe gesture is your most direct option—it takes only a second or two once you're familiar with it.