The basic way to close an app on iPad

To close an app on iPad, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, then swipe up on the app card you want to close. This works on any iPad running iPadOS 13 or later.

If your iPad has a home button (older models), double-tap the home button instead to open the app switcher, then swipe up on the app you want to close. The app will disappear from the switcher and close completely.

You can also press the home button once to return to your home screen, which closes the current app without opening the switcher. This is the simplest method if you just want to get out of an app quickly.

Key Takeaways

  • On newer iPads without a home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to see all open apps, then swipe up on the one you want to close.
  • On older iPads with a home button, double-tap the home button to see open apps, then swipe up on the app to close it.
  • Pressing the home button once closes the current app and takes you to your home screen without opening the switcher.
  • Closing an app completely stops it from running in the background, which can help if an app is frozen or behaving strangely.

Why you might want to close an app completely

Most of the time, you do not need to close apps on iPad. iPadOS manages background apps efficiently, and they use very little power or memory when you are not actively using them. However, there are situations where closing an app makes sense.

If an app is frozen or not responding, closing it completely and reopening it often fixes the problem. You might also close an app if it is draining your battery unusually fast or if you want to make sure it stops running in the background for privacy reasons. Some apps continue to access your location or camera even when you are not looking at them, so closing them stops that activity.

The difference between closing an app and deleting it

Closing an app stops it from running right now. Deleting an app removes it from your iPad entirely, and you would need to download it again from the App Store if you want it back. Closing is temporary; deleting is permanent.

You close an app using the app switcher. You delete an app by pressing and holding its icon on your home screen or in the App Library, then tapping "Remove App" and confirming. If you are just trying to stop an app from running, close it. If you want to remove it from your iPad completely, delete it.

What happens when you close an app

When you close an app, it stops running immediately. Any unsaved work in that app is usually lost, though many apps save your progress automatically as you use them. For example, if you are writing an email in Mail and close the app without sending it, the draft is typically saved and you can find it when you open Mail again.

The app does not disappear from your iPad — it remains on your home screen or in the App Library. You can open it again anytime by tapping its icon. Closing an app does not free up storage space; it only stops the app from using memory and processing power at that moment.

Closing multiple apps at once

If you want to close several apps quickly, open the app switcher and swipe up on each app card one by one. There is no way to close all open apps with a single gesture, so you will need to close them individually.

Some people close all their apps before shutting down their iPad for the day, though this is not necessary. iPadOS handles background apps well, and closing them does not significantly extend battery life. Close apps only if you have a specific reason, like an app that is misbehaving or one you want to stop accessing your location.

Troubleshooting when an app will not close

Occasionally an app may not close when you swipe up on it in the app switcher. If this happens, try swiping up again, making sure you swipe all the way to the top of the app card. If the app still will not close, force-close it instead.

To force-close an app, open Settings, go to General, then tap iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage on some models). Find the app in the list and tap it, then tap "Offload App" or "Delete App". If you chose "Offload App", the app closes and stops running, but your data stays on your iPad. You can reinstall it later without losing your progress. If you chose "Delete App", the app and all its data are removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does closing an app save battery on iPad?

Closing apps has minimal impact on battery life because iPadOS suspends apps running in the background and uses very little power to keep them there. You would only see a noticeable battery improvement if you close an app that is actively draining power, like one using GPS or video streaming. For most apps, leaving them open in the background does not meaningfully affect your battery.

Will I lose my work if I close an app?

Most modern apps save your work automatically as you type or make changes, so closing the app does not erase what you were doing. However, if an app does not have autosave and you close it without saving manually, your unsaved work will be lost. When in doubt, save before closing.

What is the difference between closing an app and swiping it away?

Closing an app and swiping it away in the app switcher are the same thing. Both actions stop the app from running. The terms are used interchangeably.

Can I close an app without using the app switcher?

Yes. Pressing the home button once closes the current app and takes you to your home screen. This is simpler than opening the app switcher if you just want to exit an app quickly, though it does not let you see or manage other open apps.