Why you should close background apps
Background apps are programs running on your device even when you are not actively using them. They consume battery, slow down your device, and sometimes use data without your knowledge. Closing them frees up memory and processing power, which makes your phone or computer noticeably faster.
Not every app needs to close — some, like email and messaging, are designed to run in the background so you do not miss notifications. But apps you opened once and forgot about, or apps that drain battery quickly, should be closed when you are done with them.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and swipe up on each app card to close it; on Android, open Recent Apps and swipe each one away.
- On Windows, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc, click the app name, and click End Task at the bottom right.
- On Mac, open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities, select the app, and click the X button in the top left.
- Some apps will restart automatically if they are set to launch at startup — check your settings if an app keeps reappearing.
- Closing background apps is different from uninstalling them; the app remains on your device and you can open it again later.
Closing apps on iPhone
On iPhone, background apps appear as cards in the App Switcher. Swipe up from the very bottom of the screen with one finger and hold for a moment until the cards appear. You will see thumbnails of every app you have opened recently.
Swipe up on each app card you want to close. The card will disappear from the list. You can close multiple apps this way — just keep swiping up on each one. When you are done, press the Home button or swipe down to return to your home screen.
If you have an iPhone with a home button (iPhone 8 or earlier), double-press the Home button instead to open the App Switcher, then swipe up on the apps you want to close.
Closing apps on Android
Android devices show recent apps in different ways depending on the manufacturer. Most Android phones have a Recent Apps button — usually a square icon at the bottom of the screen. Tap it to see all apps you have opened recently.
Swipe each app to the left or right to close it. Some Android phones instead show a list of apps with an X button on each one — tap the X to close. If your phone has gesture navigation (no visible buttons), swipe up from the bottom and hold to see recent apps, then swipe each one away.
If you cannot find the Recent Apps button, try swiping up from the bottom of the screen. This opens the app switcher on most newer Android devices.
Closing apps on Windows
On Windows, the fastest way to close background apps is through Task Manager. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc on your keyboard to open it when ready. If that does not work, right-click the taskbar at the bottom of your screen and select Task Manager from the menu.
Look through the list for the app you want to close. Click on it once to select it, then click the End Task button in the bottom right corner. The app will close when ready. You can close multiple apps by selecting each one and clicking End Task.
If you want to prevent an app from starting in the background every time you turn on your computer, click the Startup tab at the top of Task Manager. Right-click any app listed there and select Disable. That app will no longer launch automatically.
Closing apps on Mac
On Mac, open Activity Monitor to see and close background apps. Click the Finder icon in your dock, then click Applications in the sidebar. Open the Utilities folder and double-click Activity Monitor.
You will see a list of every process running on your Mac. Look for the app you want to close — the list is alphabetical. Click on it once to select it, then click the X button in the top left corner of the Activity Monitor window. A dialog will ask whether you want to force quit. Click Force Quit to close the app when ready.
If an app keeps restarting after you close it, it may be set to launch at login. Go to System Settings > General > Login Items and remove the app from the list.
Apps that should stay running
Some apps are designed to run in the background and should not be closed. Email apps, messaging apps, calendar apps, and weather apps all need to run in the background to send you notifications and keep information current. Closing these apps means you will miss messages and alerts.
Security software, antivirus programs, and system utilities also need to stay running to protect your device. If you close them, your device becomes vulnerable. Check the app's settings or documentation if you are unsure whether it should run in the background.
What happens when you close an app
Closing a background app stops it from using battery and memory right away. The app is not deleted from your device — it remains installed and you can open it again whenever you want by tapping or clicking its icon.
If you close an app that was in the middle of something, you may lose unsaved work. For example, if you close a note-taking app without saving, the note will be lost. Most modern apps save automatically, but it is worth checking if you have made changes you want to keep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing background apps make my device faster?
Yes, closing apps frees up memory and processing power, which makes your device noticeably faster. The effect is most noticeable on older devices or phones with limited memory. On newer devices with plenty of RAM, the difference may be small.
Do I need to close apps every day?
You only need to close apps if your device is running slowly or your battery is draining quickly. If your device works fine, you do not need to close apps regularly. Modern phones and computers manage background apps automatically.
What if an app keeps restarting after I close it?
Some apps are set to launch automatically when you start your device. On Windows, disable it in Task Manager's Startup tab. On Mac, remove it from System Settings > General > Login Items. On iPhone and Android, check the app's settings for an option to disable background refresh.
Can I close multiple apps at once?
On iPhone and Android, you can swipe up or away on multiple app cards in quick succession. On Windows and Mac, you can select multiple apps in Task Manager or Activity Monitor by holding Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and clicking each one, then clicking End Task or Force Quit once.
Is it bad to close apps frequently?
No, closing apps is safe and does not damage your device. However, closing apps you use frequently may be annoying because they take longer to open the next time. Close only the apps you are not using or that drain battery quickly.