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 multitasking view, or using the app switcher. The method you choose depends on which iPad model you have and which version of iPadOS is running. Both methods fully close the app and clear it from memory, which can help if an app is frozen, draining battery, or behaving strangely.

Most of the time you do not need to close apps manually — iPadOS manages memory on its own. But closing an app is useful when something is not working right, or when you want to make sure an app is not running in the background.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPad with Face ID, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause to open the app switcher, then swipe up on the app card to close it.
  • On iPad with a Home button, double-press the Home button to open the app switcher, then swipe up on the app card to close it.
  • Closing an app removes it from memory and stops it from running in the background, which can fix freezing or battery drain.
  • You do not need to close apps regularly — iPadOS closes them automatically when it needs the memory for something else.

Closing an app on iPad with Face ID

If your iPad has Face ID (iPad Pro 11-inch or larger, or iPad Air 4th generation and newer), use the gesture method. Start at the very bottom of the screen and swipe upward with one finger. Do not swipe from the edge — swipe from the center of the bottom edge. Hold your finger on the screen as you swipe, and keep going until you see the app switcher appear.

Once the app switcher is open, you will see cards representing each open app. Find the app you want to close. Press and hold on its card until a menu appears above it, or straightforward swipe upward on the card itself. Either action closes the app. The card will disappear, and the app is now fully closed.

If you swipe too quickly, you may just go to the home screen instead of opening the app switcher. The motion needs to be deliberate and smooth. Practice the gesture a few times if it does not work the first time.

Closing an app on iPad with a Home button

If your iPad has a physical Home button (iPad Air 3rd generation and earlier, iPad 5th generation and earlier, or iPad mini 4th generation and earlier), use the Home button method. Press the Home button twice quickly — not a long press, just two quick taps. The app switcher will open and show you cards for each open app.

Find the app you want to close and swipe upward on its card. The card will disappear and the app closes. You can close multiple apps this way by swiping up on each one in turn. When you are done, press the Home button once to return to the home screen.

What happens when you close an app

Closing an app stops it from running in the background and removes it from iPad memory. Any unsaved work in that app is lost, so make sure to save before closing if you have made changes. The next time you open the app, it will start fresh.

Some apps, like Mail or Messages, may continue to receive notifications even after you close them — that is because iPadOS allows certain apps to check for new messages in the background. Closing the app does not stop these background tasks entirely, but it does stop the app from actively using your screen and processor.

When to close an app manually

You should close an app if it is frozen and not responding to taps. Closing it and reopening it often fixes the problem. Close an app if you notice your iPad is running slowly or the battery is draining faster than usual — a misbehaving app in the background can cause both issues.

You might also close an app before putting your iPad away for a long time, especially if it is one that uses location services or Bluetooth. This ensures nothing is running unnecessarily while the iPad is in your bag or on a shelf.

In most other situations, you do not need to close apps. iPadOS automatically closes apps and frees up memory when it needs space for something else. Closing apps constantly will not make your iPad faster or extend battery life in any meaningful way.

Troubleshooting if an app will not close

If you swipe up on an app card and it does not close, try again with a slower, more deliberate motion. Make sure you are swiping upward on the card itself, not on the background. If the app switcher is not opening at all, restart your iPad and try again.

If a single app repeatedly will not close or keeps freezing, try force-closing it. On iPad with Face ID, open Settings, find the app in the list, and tap it — you will see an option to force-close it. On iPad with a Home button, go to Settings, General, iPad Storage, find the app, and tap Offload App, then Offload. This removes the app from memory completely and you can reinstall it from the App Store if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to close apps every day to keep my iPad running well?

No. iPadOS manages app memory automatically and closes apps when it needs the space. Closing apps constantly will not improve performance or battery life. Close an app only if it is frozen, draining battery noticeably, or misbehaving.

Will closing an app delete my data?

Closing an app does not delete any saved data — photos, documents, settings, and account information stay on your iPad. Any unsaved work in the app at the moment you close it will be lost, but your app data itself is safe.

What is the difference between closing an app and deleting it?

Closing an app stops it from running but keeps it installed on your iPad. Deleting an app removes it completely from your iPad. You can reinstall a deleted app from the App Store. Closing is temporary; deleting is permanent.

Can I close multiple apps at once?

You can close apps one at a time using the app switcher, but there is no gesture to close all apps at once. Open the app switcher and swipe up on each app card individually. It takes only a few seconds to close several apps this way.

Why does my app keep opening again after I close it?

Some apps are set to launch automatically when you restart your iPad, or they may reopen if you have Handoff enabled in Settings. If an app keeps reopening and you do not want it to, go to Settings, General, Background App Refresh and turn it off for that app.