Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. Guides

How to force close apps in Android

Michael Archambault
Paula Beaton
By and

Have you ever noticed that after the first time you open an app on your Android smartphone, it loads quicker? Tapping the home button on your device or swiping up to return to the home screen doesn’t close out an app — it leaves it running in the background. Similar to minimizing a window when working on a PC, merely returning to your home screen keeps applications running in the background to be resumed faster in the future.

However, when problems arise or your smartphone begins to slow down, you may wish to close a few applications. First, let’s look at how to close an application from the multitasking interface. Then, if all else fails, we’ll show you how to force close apps in Android.

Recommended Videos

Closing an Android background app

If you wish to close an application, your best bet is to swipe it away within Android’s multitasking interface. Depending upon your version of Android and your smartphone manufacturer, this process can differ slightly. Follow the instructions below to close applications with ease.

Related

Step 1: Access your multitasking interface using one of the following options:

  • If your smartphone has three icons at the bottom of the screen, tap either the three vertical lines button (Samsung Galaxy devices) or the square button (most other Android devices).
  • If your smartphone has a single horizontal line and uses a swipe-gesture system to navigate, swipe up from the bottom to the middle of the screen, hold for a moment, then release.

Step 2: Place your finger on the app you wish to close, then swipe it up and away.

Note: Due to the vast array of smartphone manufacturers, some older Android devices may handle accessing multitasking differently. Visit your manufacturer’s support page for more information on using multitasking with Android.

Force close an Android app

There may be instances when an application refuses to close in a usual manner or leaves other services running in the background. You may choose to force close the application in these situations, using the Android Settings app to halt the app completely. On most Android devices, force closing an app can be handled in the following manner:

Step 1: Open the Settings apps.

Step 2: Select the Apps or Apps & Notifications option.

Step 3: You may need to select See all apps to view all opened applications.

Step 4: Tap the application you wish to force close.

Step 5: Choose the Force Stop option.

Step 6: Confirm your decision by selecting OK.

Close all Android background apps

Another option that may allow you to work more efficiently with your smartphone is to close all Android background apps with a single button press; this can be useful when you want to free up your smartphone’s memory to help run other applications. Follow the steps below to close all Android background apps with a single tap.

Step 1: Access your multitasking interface using one of the following options:

  • If your smartphone has three icons at the bottom of the screen, tap either the three vertical lines button (Samsung Galaxy devices) or the square button (most other Android devices).
  • If your smartphone has a single horizontal line and uses a swipe-gesture system to navigate, swipe up from the bottom to the middle of the screen, hold for a moment, then release.

Step 2: Continue swiping to the right in the multitasking interface until you reach the list’s end. On some phones, like the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, you can skip this step.

Step 3: A Clear All or Close All button should now be visible; tap it to close all open applications.

Note: As noted previously, due to the vast array of smartphone manufacturers, some older Android devices may handle accessing multitasking differently. You can visit your manufacturer’s support page for more information on using multitasking with Android.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Michael Archambault
Michael Archambault
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Michael Archambault is a technology writer and digital marketer located in Long Island, New York. For the past decade…
The best grocery list apps for iPhone and Android in 2023
Walmart Grocery 2

As we've started moving away from paper in favor of jotting down notes on our phones, grocery lists have begun to migrate from small handheld notebooks and scraps of paper to become permanent residents of our phones' home screens. Staying properly organized, however, can be a little trickier than simply asking Siri or Alexa to make a list of the things that are on the top of your head. That's where the best grocery list apps come into play.

There are plenty of apps that can help you stay on top of your grocery list-making while also providing plenty of other great features like budgeting assistance, list organization, and coupon gathering. Here are the best grocery list apps to use for iPhone and Android for making lists to help you with your shopping. If you're looking for more productivity apps, check out our list of the best iPad Pro productivity apps, too.
Apple Notes

Read more
The best QR code scanning apps for iPhone and Android in 2023
Best apps for scanning QR codes

While they may not be the all-in-one solution some had envisioned, QR codes are still very popular. It's easy to understand why, too -- just point your camera or scanner at a QR code, and you're transported to a link without needing to painstakingly transcribe the whole address into your browser. As such, it's a great way for brands to easily send you content, terms and conditions, or even competitions. And scanning QR codes is at its best when you're using the best QR code scanning apps.

Scanning a QR code is easy, these days. Most of the time, QR code scanning is built-in to camera apps on iPhone and Android phones, so learning how to scan a QR code is simply a case of pointing your phone's camera at your chosen code. However, those only offer basic features, and if you want more protection from potentially harmful links, or the ability to create QR codes yourself, then you can get that from a third-party app. Here are some of the best QR code scanning apps for iPhone and Android in 2023.
QR Code Reader + QR Scanner

Read more
The best dating apps for 2023
Tinder Dating App

Dating apps have quickly become one of the most popular ways for people to meet new romantic partners. With the sheer volume of apps available, however, it can be a little difficult to know which ones to pick if you're looking for something new. While the likes of Tinder and Bumble have been on the scene for years, there are plenty of great, new apps popping up all the time that take slightly different approaches to helping people looking for love, or even just something quick and casual.

Luckily, regardless of whether you're just getting into the dating scene or simply looking to try a new dating app after spending some time on one that doesn't quite work for you, we've compiled a list of the best iOS apps and Android apps that will help you find what you're looking for. Remember that it can take some time for you to really find your stride with a dating app, but if you pick one and find that it isn't working in terms of your interests or desires, you can always delete it and try again with another one from this list.
Getting started with dating apps
If you're totally new to the world of online dating, where do you start? That depends on a few factors, like your age and what you're looking for from online dating.

Read more