How to force close an app on your phone

You're searching for online recipes on your smartphone when it happens: The browser freezes. Stuck mid-search, you try hitting the back button and entering a new web address. But nothing helps. Your only option is to force close the app.

Asurion Experts help you get the most from your favorite devices. Whether you're looking for hidden apps or need to adjust app permissions, count on us for a quick solution. Here's how to force close an app that stops working.

How to force close apps on iPhone

To force close an app on iPhone®, take these steps:

1. On iPhone X or later, swipe up from the bottom of the Home Screen. Stop swiping in the middle of the screen.
   • On earlier iPhone models, press the Home button twice to see your recent apps.
2. Swipe left or right to view open apps.
3. Swipe up when you see the app preview you want to close.

Force closing apps on the iPhone allows you to exit when there's a performance issue. Most apps save your relevant data until you force-close them. However, you may lose any data generated right before the app stops working.

How to force close apps on Android

There are two ways to force close an app on Android™. The first option is best for closing apps that crash. Follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps.
   • If you need to close a system app, tap More Options (the three-dot menu) > Show system apps. Otherwise, skip this step.
3. Tap the app you want to close.
4. Tap Stop or Force stop. 

You can also close apps from the Home screen. Here's how to do that.

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold, then let go.
2. Swipe up on the app preview to close it.
   • To close all apps, swipe from left to right. Tap Clear all. 

When you should (and shouldn't) force close an app

It may seem natural to close an app when you're finished using it. After all, that's what you do with laptops and computers—why wouldn't you do the same for your phone? 

But doing so can cause app performance issues and degrade your battery. With frequent closes, the app may freeze more often and noticeably lag. Instead, smartphone manufacturers recommend leaving apps open, even if you're not actively using them. In fact, Apple® tells its customers to only close unresponsive apps. 

Open apps stay hidden in the background and don't impact device performance. You can continue using your phone as you normally would and return to the app when you need it again.

Troubleshooting common force close questions

Can force-closing apps improve battery life?

When you force quit apps, it has little to no impact on your smartphone's battery life. The device's operating system manages app activity without draining the battery. In fact, force-closing apps can affect battery life over the long term.

If you're concerned about apps draining your battery, you can disable background refresh on your smartphone. This stops your phone from retrieving new content and updates in the background. To turn on the feature for your iPhone, take these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General > Background App Refresh.
3. Turn off Background Refresh for all apps or selected apps in the list. 

Android users can take these steps to disable background refresh:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps > See all apps.
3. Tap the app you want to adjust.
4. Turn off Allow background usage. 

How do I reopen an app after force-closing it?

To reopen an app you force closed, locate its icon on the Home screen of your iPhone or Android device. Tap it once to open. 

What should I do if an app keeps freezing after I force close it?

If the app continues to freeze after force-closing it, check if it has any available updates. To check for app updates on iPhone, take these steps:

1. Open the App Store®.
2. Tap My Account.
3. Review the list of available updates. Tap Update next to the problematic app. 

Android phone users can use these steps to manually install app updates:

1. Open the Google Play™ Store.
2. Tap your profile icon > Manage apps & device.
3. Locate Updates available. Tap See details.
4. Tap Update next to the problematic app.

If you continue to experience problems with the app after installing available updates, delete and reinstall the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.