What restarting an application actually does
Restarting an application closes it completely and opens it fresh. This clears the app's temporary memory, stops any stuck processes, and reloads all its settings from scratch. Most app problems — freezing, crashing, slow response, or features that won't load — resolve after a restart because the app starts with a clean state instead of carrying forward whatever went wrong.
The restart is different from just closing the app and reopening it immediately. A true restart waits long enough for the system to fully release the app's resources, then starts it again. On most devices, waiting five to ten seconds between closing and reopening is enough.
Key Takeaways
- A restart closes the app completely and clears its temporary memory, which fixes most freezing, crashing, and loading problems.
- On Android, swipe the app up from the recent apps menu or force-stop it in Settings; on iPhone, swipe up from the bottom or use the app switcher.
- Wait five to ten seconds after closing before reopening to let the system fully release the app's resources.
- If restarting the app does not fix the problem, clearing the app's cache or reinstalling it are the next steps to try.
How to restart on Android
The fastest way is through the recent apps menu. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen and hold, or swipe up from the bottom edge depending on your Android version. Find the app you want to restart, then swipe it up or to the side to close it. Wait about ten seconds, then tap the app again to reopen it.
If that does not work or the app is not in your recent apps, go to Settings > Apps (or Application Manager on older phones). Find the app in the list, tap it, then tap Force Stop. This closes the app immediately even if it is frozen. Wait ten seconds, then open the app normally from your home screen or app drawer.
How to restart on iPhone
Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, or on newer iPhones with Face ID, swipe down from the top-right corner. Find the app you want to restart and swipe it up to close it. Wait about ten seconds, then tap the app icon on your home screen to reopen it.
If the app switcher method does not work, you can also restart by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, finding the app in the list, tapping it, and tapping Offload App. This removes the app but keeps your data. Then reinstall it from the App Store. This is a heavier restart than closing and reopening, but it works when a simple close does not.
How to restart on Windows
Right-click the app in your taskbar at the bottom of the screen and select Close window or Close all windows. Wait ten seconds, then open the app again by clicking its icon or searching for it in the Start menu.
If the app is frozen and will not close, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, select Task Manager, find the app in the list, click it, and click End Task. This forces the app to close. Wait ten seconds, then open it again normally.
How to restart on Mac
Click the app name in the menu bar at the top of the screen, then select Quit. If the app does not have a menu bar or will not quit, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select Force Quit, find the app in the list, and click Force Quit again. Wait ten seconds, then open the app from your Applications folder or Dock.
You can also use Command + Q as a keyboard shortcut to quit most apps. If that does not work, Command + Option + Esc opens the Force Quit menu.
When restarting does not fix the problem
If the app still freezes, crashes, or behaves oddly after a restart, the next step is to clear the app's cache. This removes temporary files the app stores on your device without deleting your account or saved data. On Android, go to Settings > Apps, find the app, tap Storage, and tap Clear Cache. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find the app, and tap Offload App (which clears cache along with the app).
If clearing the cache does not work, uninstall the app completely and reinstall it from the app store. This gives you a completely fresh copy. Before you uninstall, check whether the app has a sign-out option so you can sign back in after reinstalling — this ensures you do not lose access to your account.
Why the wait between closing and reopening matters
When you close an app, your device needs a moment to fully release the memory and resources the app was using. If you reopen it immediately, the app may start with some of those resources still tied up, which means the problem that caused the freeze or crash can happen again. Waiting five to ten seconds gives the system time to clean up completely.
This is especially important if the app was frozen or crashed. A force-stop or force-quit takes effect immediately, but the system still needs a few seconds to fully release everything before the app can start fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will restarting an app delete my data or sign me out?
No. Restarting closes and reopens the app, but your account, saved files, and settings stay in place. You will stay signed in unless the app specifically signs you out during the restart process, which is rare.
What is the difference between restarting an app and restarting my phone?
Restarting an app closes only that one program. Restarting your phone shuts down your entire device and starts it fresh, which clears memory and resources for all apps at once. Restart the app first; if that does not work, then restart your phone.
Why does my app keep crashing even after I restart it?
Repeated crashes usually mean the app needs an update, your device is low on storage or memory, or there is a conflict with another app or your device settings. Check your app store for updates first. If updates do not help, try clearing the app's cache or reinstalling it completely.
Do I need to wait the full ten seconds, or can I reopen the app faster?
Five to ten seconds is the safe range. Faster than that and your device may not fully release the app's resources. Waiting longer does not hurt, but it is usually not necessary.