Closing an app on iPad means swiping it away, not just leaving it running
When you close a window or app on your iPad, you are telling the device to stop running that program in the background. This is different from straightforward switching to another app — the closed app is no longer using your iPad's memory or battery. Most people close apps by swiping them up from the bottom of the screen or using the app switcher, which shows all your open apps at once.
Your iPad keeps apps running in the background even after you stop looking at them. Closing an app completely removes it from memory, which can help your iPad run faster if you have many apps open. You do not have to close apps constantly — iPads manage memory well — but closing apps you are done with is a quick way to free up resources.
Key Takeaways
- Swipe up from the bottom of your iPad screen to close the app you are currently using.
- Open the app switcher by swiping up from the bottom and pausing, then swipe up on any app card to close it without opening that app first.
- Closing an app removes it from your iPad's memory but does not delete it from your device.
- You can close multiple apps at once by swiping up on several app cards in the app switcher.
Closing the app you are currently viewing
The fastest way to close an app is to swipe up from the very bottom of your iPad screen. Place your finger at the bottom edge and swipe upward in one smooth motion. The app will slide off the top of the screen and close when ready.
This method works on all modern iPads with Face ID (iPad Pro models from 2018 onward, iPad Air 3 and newer, and iPad 7th generation and later). If your iPad has a home button, you can also double-tap the home button to see open apps, then swipe up on the app you want to close.
Using the app switcher to close multiple apps
The app switcher shows all your open apps as cards stacked on top of each other. Open it by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and pausing for a moment — do not swipe all the way up to the home screen. You will see your current app and the apps behind it displayed as overlapping cards.
Once the app switcher is open, swipe up on any app card to close it. You can close one app at a time, or swipe up on several cards in quick succession to close multiple apps. The app switcher stays open until you tap an app or swipe down to return to your current app.
The difference between closing and deleting an app
Closing an app stops it from running but leaves it on your iPad. You can open it again anytime by tapping its icon on your home screen or in the App Library. Deleting an app removes it from your device entirely — you would need to read it again from the App Store if you want it back.
If you want to delete an app instead of just closing it, press and hold the app icon on your home screen, tap "Remove App," then choose "Remove from Home Screen" to hide it or "Delete App" to remove it completely. Closing is temporary; deleting is permanent.
When closing apps actually helps your iPad run better
Modern iPads are designed to manage many open apps without slowing down. Closing apps is most useful when you have opened dozens of apps and notice your iPad feeling sluggish, or when a specific app is misbehaving and you want to force it to restart. Closing an app and reopening it can fix freezing, crashes, or apps that stop responding.
If your iPad is running slowly overall, closing a few apps may help temporarily, but the real solution is usually to restart your iPad. Shut it down completely by holding the power button and volume button together, then swipe to power off. Wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. This clears your iPad's memory more thoroughly than closing individual apps.
Apps that keep running even after you close them
Some apps continue running in the background even after you close them. Music apps, navigation apps, and fitness trackers are designed to keep working so they can play music, give you directions, or track your movement. You can see which apps are running in the background by going to Settings, then Battery, and looking at Battery Usage.
If an app is using too much battery or data in the background, you can stop it from running without deleting it. Go to Settings, tap the app's name, then turn off "Background App Refresh." The app will only run when you open it directly. This is useful for apps you want to keep but do not want running constantly.
Troubleshooting when an app will not close
If swiping up does not close an app, your iPad may not have registered the gesture. Try again with a slower, more deliberate swipe starting from the very bottom edge of the screen. Make sure you are swiping upward, not sideways.
If an app still will not close, force-close it by holding the power button and volume button together until the power-off slider appears, then release. Wait a few seconds and turn your iPad back on. This forces all apps to close and restart, which fixes most problems. You can also try closing other apps first to free up memory, then attempt to close the problem app again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does closing apps on iPad save battery?
Closing apps saves a small amount of battery, but the effect is usually minor unless you have dozens of apps open. Restarting your iPad or lowering screen brightness saves more battery than closing individual apps. Apps that are not actively running use very little power.
Can I close all my apps at once?
You can close multiple apps quickly by opening the app switcher and swiping up on several app cards in succession, but there is no button to close all apps at once. Restarting your iPad closes all apps and clears memory more effectively than closing them one by one.
What happens to my data when I close an app?
Closing an app does not delete your data. Any documents, photos, or settings saved within the app remain on your iPad. When you reopen the app, your data is still there. Only deleting the app removes its data permanently.
Why does my app keep closing on its own?
Apps that close unexpectedly usually have a bug or are running out of memory. Try restarting your iPad, updating the app through the App Store, or deleting and reinstalling it. If the problem continues, contact the app developer for support.