The fastest way to close an app on Apple TV
To close an app on Apple TV, press and hold the Menu button on your remote while the app is open, then swipe down on the touchpad and select "Close App" from the menu that appears. This is the standard method that works on all Apple TV models running tvOS 12 and later.
If you do not see a "Close App" option, the app may have closed automatically when you switched away from it. Some apps stay running in the background, but pressing Menu and closing them manually ensures they are fully shut down.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold the Menu button on your remote while inside an app, then swipe down and select "Close App" to shut it down completely.
- Closing an app manually can help if the app is frozen, running slowly, or using too much power.
- Switching to a different app does not always close the previous one — it may keep running in the background.
- If the Menu button method does not work, restart your Apple TV by going to Settings > System > Restart.
When you need to close an app manually
Most of the time, you can simply switch to another app and leave the previous one behind. Apple TV manages background apps automatically, so you do not have to close everything you open. However, there are situations where closing an app manually makes a real difference.
Close an app if it is frozen and not responding to remote commands, if it is running slowly or stuttering, or if you notice your Apple TV getting hot or the fan running loudly. Closing a misbehaving app and reopening it often fixes these problems without restarting your entire device. You should also close apps if you are not using them and want to free up memory.
Step-by-step: Using the Menu button method
Step 1: While the app you want to close is open and visible on your screen, press and hold the Menu button on your Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote. Do not just tap it — hold it down for about one second until a menu appears at the bottom of the screen.
Step 2: On the menu that appears, you will see options including "Close App". Swipe down on the touchpad to highlight "Close App", then click the touchpad to select it. The app will close immediately and you will return to the Apple TV home screen.
Step 3: If you do not see "Close App" as an option, try pressing Menu again or restarting the app. Some older apps or system apps may not have a close option and will simply pause when you switch away.
What happens when you close an app
When you close an app, it stops running completely and is removed from your device's active memory. Any unsaved work in that app is lost, so if you were in the middle of watching a video or typing something, make sure to save or finish before closing.
Closing an app does not delete it from your Apple TV — the app remains installed and you can open it again at any time. It also does not sign you out of the app, so when you reopen it, you will usually be logged in to the same account you were using before.
Restarting your Apple TV if closing an app does not work
If an app will not close using the Menu button method, or if multiple apps are running slowly, restart your Apple TV. Go to Settings on your home screen, select System, then select Restart. Your Apple TV will shut down and turn back on, which clears the memory and stops all running apps.
A restart takes about one to two minutes. You do not lose any apps, settings, or account information — it is just a way to clear out temporary problems. If an app continues to freeze or crash after a restart, the app itself may have a bug and you may want to delete and reinstall it.
Checking which apps are running in the background
Apple TV does not show you a list of currently running apps the way an iPhone does. However, you can see which apps you have used recently by looking at your home screen — the apps you opened most recently appear in the top row or in your recently used section.
If you want to make sure an app is not running, the safest method is to close it manually using the Menu button. You can also restart your Apple TV to close everything at once. There is no harm in leaving apps running in the background — Apple TV is designed to manage them automatically and shut them down when memory is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does closing an app on Apple TV save my progress?
Closing an app does not automatically save your progress. If you were watching a video, reading, or doing something else in the app, you may lose your place. Most streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube remember where you stopped, but other apps may not. Save your work before closing if the app has a save option.
Will closing an app make my Apple TV faster?
Closing a single app usually does not make a noticeable difference unless that app was using a lot of power or memory. If your Apple TV is running slowly overall, restart the entire device instead. A restart clears all apps and temporary files, which often solves speed problems.
Can I close multiple apps at once?
No, you have to close apps one at a time using the Menu button method. There is no way to close all apps at once except by restarting your Apple TV. If you want to stop all apps quickly, go to Settings > System > Restart instead.
What if the Menu button is not working?
If your remote's Menu button is broken or not responding, restart your Apple TV using the Settings menu. Go to Settings > System > Restart. You can also try unpairing and repairing your remote by going to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth, then holding the Menu and Down buttons together for several seconds.
Does closing an app sign me out?
Closing an app does not sign you out. When you reopen the app, you will still be logged in to the same account. If you want to sign out of an app, look for a Sign Out or Logout option in the app's settings menu before closing it.