The two ways to close an app on iPad
You close an app on iPad in one of two ways: swiping it away from the app switcher, or force-closing it through Settings. The first method is what you use most of the time. The second is for when an app freezes or stops responding.
Both methods leave your data intact. Closing an app does not delete anything you have saved — it just stops the app from running in the background and using your device's memory and battery.
Key Takeaways
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, then swipe up on the app card to close it — this is the normal way to close apps.
- If an app is frozen or unresponsive, force-close it by going to Settings > General > iPad Storage, finding the app, and tapping Offload App or Delete App, then reinstalling it.
- Closing an app does not erase your data or saved work — it only stops the app from running.
- You do not need to close apps regularly to keep your iPad running well; iOS manages background activity automatically.
Swiping an app closed from the app switcher
This is the standard way to close an app. Start by swiping up from the very bottom of your iPad screen — not from the edge, but from the bottom center. Hold your finger there for a moment until the app switcher appears. You will see thumbnail cards of all your open apps stacked on top of each other.
Find the app you want to close and swipe up on its card. The card will fly off the screen and the app will close. You can close multiple apps this way by swiping up on each one in turn. When you are done, swipe down or tap the home screen to exit the app switcher.
This method works on all iPad models running iPadOS 13 or later. If your iPad is older and still runs iOS 12, the gesture is slightly different — you would double-tap the home button instead — but most iPads in use today use the swipe method.
Force-closing an app that is frozen or not responding
If an app stops responding or freezes, the swipe method may not work because the app is not functioning normally. In that case, force-close it through Settings instead. Open Settings, then tap General, then tap iPad Storage. Scroll down and find the app that is frozen.
Tap the app name to open its details page. You will see two options: Offload App and Delete App. Tap Offload App first. This removes the app from your iPad but keeps your data and settings for that app. Wait a few seconds, then go back to the App Store and reinstall the app. It will read fresh and usually work normally again.
If offloading does not fix the problem, you can tap Delete App instead, which removes both the app and its data. Then reinstall it from the App Store. This is a more thorough reset but means you will lose any saved data that was stored only in that app.
Why you do not need to close apps regularly
Many people think they need to close apps regularly to keep their iPad running fast or to save battery. This is not how modern iPads work. iOS is designed to manage apps running in the background automatically — it pauses apps you are not using and stops them from draining your battery or slowing down your device.
Closing apps manually does not make your iPad faster or extend battery life in any meaningful way. In fact, closing an app and then reopening it uses more power than letting iOS manage it in the background. The only reason to close an app is if it is frozen, if you want to clear it from your recent apps list, or if you are troubleshooting a problem.
What happens when you close an app
When you close an app by swiping it away, the app stops running but your data stays safe. Any work you saved inside the app — documents, photos, notes, messages — remains on your iPad. The next time you open that app, it will be exactly where you left it.
The only data you lose is anything you did not save before closing. For example, if you typed a message in an app but did not hit send, that unsent message will be gone when you reopen the app. Most modern apps save your work automatically, so this is rarely a problem.
Closing apps versus signing out
Closing an app is different from signing out of an account. When you close an app, you are just stopping it from running. You remain logged in, and the next time you open the app, you will still be signed in to your account.
If you want to sign out of an app — for example, to switch to a different account or to remove your personal information before giving your iPad to someone else — you need to open the app and look for a Sign Out or Logout option in its settings. This is a separate action from closing the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does closing an app delete my data?
No. Closing an app stops it from running but does not erase anything you have saved. Your documents, photos, messages, and settings stay on your iPad. The next time you open the app, everything will be there.
What is the difference between closing an app and force-closing it?
Closing an app normally (by swiping it away) is a clean shutdown. Force-closing (through Settings) is used when an app is frozen or not responding. Force-closing is more aggressive and should only be used when the normal method does not work.
Will closing apps make my iPad battery last longer?
Not significantly. iOS manages background apps automatically and pauses ones you are not using. Closing apps manually does not extend battery life in any meaningful way. If your battery drains quickly, the problem is usually a specific app using too much power, not the number of apps you have open.
Can I close multiple apps at once?
You can close them one at a time by swiping each one away from the app switcher, but there is no built-in way to close all apps at once. iOS does not need you to do this — it manages your apps automatically.
What if an app will not close even when I swipe it away?
If swiping does not work, the app is likely frozen. Force-close it through Settings by going to General > iPad Storage, finding the app, and tapping Offload App. Then reinstall it from the App Store.