Why closing an app matters for your device
Closing an app means stopping it completely, not just hiding it. When you swipe an app away or press the back button, the app usually keeps running in the background — using your battery, your data, and your device's memory. A truly closed app stops doing all of that. Knowing how to close apps fully matters because apps left running can drain your battery in hours, slow down your other programs, and sometimes keep collecting location or personal data even when you are not using them.
The steps to close an app differ between iPhones, Android phones, Windows computers, and Macs. Each system handles background processes differently, so what works on one device will not work on another. This guide covers the actual steps for each type of device.
Key Takeaways
- Swiping an app away on iPhone or Android does not close it — it only removes it from your recent apps list, and the app keeps running in the background.
- On iPhone, you force-close an app by swiping up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, then swiping the app card upward.
- On Android, you force-close an app by opening Settings, selecting Apps, finding the app, and tapping Force Stop.
- On Windows, closing the window usually closes the app, but you can check the system tray at the bottom right to see if it is still running.
- On Mac, closing the window does not close the app — you must press Command+Q or go to the app menu and select Quit.
How to close an app on iPhone
On iPhone, swiping an app away from the recent apps list does not actually close it. The app continues running in the background. To fully close an app, you need to force-close it through the app switcher.
Swipe up from the bottom of your screen and pause for a moment — do not swipe all the way to the home screen. You will see cards showing all your open apps. Find the app you want to close, then swipe that card upward. The app will close completely and stop running in the background. If you have an older iPhone with a home button, double-press the home button instead to open the app switcher, then swipe the app card upward.
You can also close an app by going to Settings, selecting General, then App Library. Find the app and swipe left on it, then tap Remove. This removes the app from your home screen but does not uninstall it — you can still find it in the App Library later.
How to close an app on Android
On Android phones, the method depends on whether you want to close the app once or prevent it from running in the background permanently. Swiping an app away from the recent apps screen (usually by swiping up from the bottom) removes it from your recent list but does not stop it from running.
To force-close an app on Android, open Settings and tap Apps or process Manager — the exact name varies by phone brand. Find the app you want to close in the list. Tap the app name, then look for a button labeled Force Stop. Tap it. The app will close when ready and stop using your battery and data.
If you want an app to stop running in the background permanently, you can disable notifications or restrict its background activity. In the same Settings menu, find the app, tap Battery or Battery Usage, and select Restrict or Don't Allow Background Activity. Some phones also let you tap Storage and tap Clear Cache to remove temporary files the app has stored.
How to close an app on Windows
On Windows, closing the app window usually closes the app completely. Click the X button in the top right corner of the app window. The app will shut down and stop running.
Some apps keep running even after you close the window — they hide in the system tray, the small area at the bottom right of your screen next to the clock. Look at the system tray to see if the app is still there. If it is, right-click the app icon in the system tray and select Close, Exit, or Quit. The exact wording depends on the app.
If an app is frozen and will not close, you can force-close it using Task Manager. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, find the app in the list, click it, then click End Task at the bottom right. The app will close when ready.
How to close an app on Mac
On Mac, closing the window does not close the app — it only hides it. The app keeps running in the background and using your battery. To fully close an app on Mac, you must quit it.
The easiest way is to press Command+Q while the app is open. You can also click the app name in the menu bar at the top of the screen, then select Quit [App Name]. If the app is frozen and will not quit, press Command+Option+Esc to open the Force Quit window, select the app, and click Force Quit.
You can also quit an app by right-clicking its icon in the Dock (the row of apps at the bottom of your screen) and selecting Quit. If you only want to hide the app without closing it, press Command+H instead of Command+Q.
When to force-close an app versus uninstalling it
Force-closing an app stops it temporarily but does not remove it from your device. The app will still be there the next time you open it. Uninstalling an app removes it completely from your device, freeing up storage space and preventing it from running at all.
Force-close an app if it is frozen, using too much battery, or running when you do not want it to. Uninstall an app if you no longer use it, if it is asking for permissions you are not comfortable with, or if you need storage space. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Apps, find the app, and tap Remove App, then Delete App. On Android, open Settings, tap Apps, find the app, and tap Uninstall. On Windows, go to Settings, select Apps, find the app, and click Uninstall. On Mac, open Applications in Finder, find the app, and drag it to the Trash.
What happens when you close an app
When you force-close an app, it stops using your device's memory, battery, and data when ready. Any unsaved work in that app will be lost — if you were typing something in the app and had not saved it, that text will disappear. The app will not send or receive any information until you open it again.
Closing an app does not delete your account or your data stored in the app. If you log into the app again later, your account and saved information will still be there. The app itself remains on your device and can be opened at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does closing an app delete my data?
No. Closing an app stops it from running but does not delete your account or saved information. When you open the app again, your data will still be there. Only uninstalling the app removes it from your device, and even then, your account data usually remains on the company's servers.
Will closing an app stop it from tracking my location?
Yes. When an app is fully closed, it cannot access your location, camera, microphone, or contacts. However, some apps request permission to track your location even when closed. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Privacy, select Location Services, find the app, and change it to Never. On Android, open Settings, tap Apps, find the app, tap Permissions, and turn off Location.
Is it bad to force-close apps all the time?
Force-closing an app occasionally is safe and normal. Doing it constantly can sometimes cause problems — for example, if you force-close an app while it is saving a file, the file may not save correctly. Close apps when they are frozen, using too much battery, or running when you do not need them, but let them close normally when possible.
Why does my app keep running after I close it?
Some apps are designed to run in the background so they can send you notifications, sync data, or play music. If an app keeps running and you do not want it to, use Force Stop on Android or force-close it on iPhone. You can also turn off background activity in your device settings for that specific app.
Can I close multiple apps at once?
On iPhone, you can swipe up multiple app cards in the app switcher one after another. On Android, open Settings, tap Apps, and tap Force Stop for each app individually — there is no way to force-close multiple apps at once. On Windows and Mac, you can close multiple windows by closing them one at a time or using keyboard shortcuts like Alt+F4 on Windows.