How to Close Apps on Your Samsung TV

The quickest way to close an app on Samsung TV

To close an app on a Samsung TV, press the back button on your remote — the arrow pointing left. This takes you out of the app and back to the home screen. If the back button does not work, press the exit button instead, usually marked with an X or a door symbol. Most apps close when ready when you press either button.

If you want to fully remove the app from memory so it stops running in the background, you can also force-close it through the TV's settings. This is useful if an app is frozen, running slowly, or using battery power on a TV with a battery backup feature. The method depends on which Samsung TV model you own, but the steps are similar across most recent models.

Key Takeaways

The back button on your remote closes most apps when ready and returns you to the home screen.
If back does not work, try the exit button, which is usually marked with an X symbol.
Force-closing an app through settings removes it from memory and can fix apps that are frozen or running slowly.
You do not need to uninstall an app to stop it — closing it is temporary and the app remains on your TV.
Restarting your TV clears all running apps at once if multiple apps are causing problems.

Using the back button to exit an app

The back button is the fastest way to close almost any app on a Samsung TV. Look for the arrow pointing left on your remote — it is usually near the top or in the middle of the remote. Press it once while you are inside the app, and you will return to the home screen or the previous menu.

If you are several screens deep inside an app, you may need to press back multiple times to reach the home screen. Each press moves you back one level. This is normal behavior and not a sign that something is wrong. Once you see the home screen with your app tiles, the app has closed.

Using the exit button when back does not work

Some Samsung TV remotes have an exit button instead of or in addition to the back button. This button is usually marked with an X, a door, or the word "Exit". Press it once to close the current app and return to the home screen when ready, without needing to press multiple times.

If your remote has both a back button and an exit button, try the back button first — it is the standard method. Use exit only if back does not respond. On some older Samsung models, the exit button may be labeled differently or located in a different spot on the remote, so check your remote's label or the manual that came with your TV.

Force-closing an app through settings

If an app is frozen, not responding, or running slowly, you can force-close it through your TV's settings menu. This removes the app from memory completely and can fix problems that the back button alone will not solve. Start by pressing the home button on your remote to reach the home screen, then look for a settings icon — usually a gear or wrench symbol.

Once you are in settings, look for an option called Apps, Applications, or Manage Apps. The exact name varies by model year. Select this option, and you will see a list of all apps currently installed on your TV. Find the app you want to close, select it, and look for a button that says Force Stop or Close. Press it, and the app will shut down completely.

After force-closing, the app will not run again until you open it manually. This does not uninstall the app or delete any of your settings within it — it straightforward stops it from running. You can open the app again at any time by selecting it from your home screen or app menu.

Clearing the cache if an app keeps crashing

If an app crashes repeatedly even after you close and reopen it, clearing its cache may help. The cache is temporary data the app stores to load faster next time. Over time, corrupted cache files can cause apps to freeze or crash. To clear the cache, go to settings, find the app in the Apps menu, and look for an option called Storage or Cache.

Select Clear Cache if that option appears. This removes the temporary files without deleting your account information or saved settings. If the app continues to crash after clearing the cache, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling it, though this is rarely necessary. Most app problems are fixed by closing and reopening, or by restarting your TV.

Restarting your TV to close all apps at once

If multiple apps are running slowly or freezing, the fastest fix is to restart your TV. This closes every app running in the background and clears the TV's memory. Press the power button on your remote or the TV itself to turn it off completely. Wait 10 to 15 seconds, then press power again to turn it back on.

During the restart, your TV will load its operating system fresh and close all background apps. This usually takes one to two minutes. Once the home screen appears, your TV is ready to use again. Restarting is safe to do as often as you need — it does not damage the TV or erase any of your apps or settings.

What happens when you close an app versus uninstalling it

Closing an app and uninstalling an app are two different things. When you close an app using the back button or force-stop, the app stops running but remains installed on your TV. You can open it again whenever you want. Uninstalling removes the app from your TV entirely, and you would need to reinstall it from the app store if you want it back.

For most situations, closing is all you need. You only uninstall an app if you no longer want it on your TV or if you are trying to free up storage space. Closing an app does not free up permanent storage — it only stops the app from using your TV's active memory. If your TV is running out of storage, you can check how much space each app uses in the settings menu under storage or apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my app close when I press the back button but then reopen automatically?

Some apps are set to launch automatically when you turn on your TV. This is a setting within the app itself or in your TV's startup apps menu. To stop this, go to settings, find the app in the Apps menu, and look for an option like Auto-launch or Start on boot. Turn this setting off, and the app will no longer reopen on its own.

Can I close multiple apps at once on a Samsung TV?

The fastest way to close all running apps at once is to restart your TV by turning it off and back on. If you want to close specific apps without restarting, you must close them one at a time using the back button or force-stop method. There is no built-in option to close multiple apps simultaneously from the home screen.

What if the back button and exit button do not work?

If neither button responds, the app may be completely frozen. Try restarting your TV by pressing the power button. If the TV does not respond to the power button either, unplug it from the wall outlet for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. This performs a hard reset and will close all apps.

Does closing an app save my progress or settings?

Most apps save your progress and settings automatically, even when you close them. However, this depends on the app itself. Games and streaming apps usually save your place, but some apps may not. If you are concerned about losing progress, look for a save option within the app before closing it.

Is it bad to force-close apps regularly?

Force-closing an app occasionally is safe and will not damage your TV. However, if you find yourself force-closing the same app repeatedly, it may have a problem. Try uninstalling and reinstalling it, or contact the app developer for support. Regular force-closing is a symptom, not a solution.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.