What is the benefit of closing unused apps?
Closing unused apps can help your device provide more resources to the app you are currently using, to hopefully improve the app's performance.
How do I manually close apps?
The process for most devices is fairly similar, with slight variations depending on platform (iOS, Android, or Kindle) and device type. Below let's look at some general steps:
iOS device - No 'home' button
If you are using an iOS device without a 'home' button (the circular button often found near the bottom middle of a device's screen), try the following steps:
- Use one finger to Swipe up from the bottom of the screen, and hold your finger near the middle of the screen until all of your open apps appear.
- Each open app will appear as a small window (you can swipe left or right to view each open app). Swipe up from the middle of a window, to close the app.
- Repeat for each open app, swiping the window up off the screen
iOS - 'home' button
If your iOS device does have a circular 'home' button, try the following:
- Double-tap the home button
- Each open app will appear as a small window. Swipe up from the middle of a window, to close that app.
- Repeat for each open app, swiping the window up off the screen
Android
Steps for closing apps on Android devices vary more widely depending on your device model. Many devices without a physical button use the same steps listed above:
- Use one finger to Swipe up from the bottom of the screen, and hold your finger near the middle of the screen until all of your open apps appear.
- Each open app will appear as a small window. Swipe up from the middle of the window, to close the app.
Your device may have an icon or button showing parallel lines like - III - This may be used to open a list of all running apps, and then allow you to clear them in a similar way.
You may also see a Clear or Clear All or Close All option, which can be used to close running apps.
Amazon Kindle
Most Kindle devices use similar steps to close apps, but these may also vary depending on model:
- Open the Settings app (may appear as a 'gear' icon)
- Select Apps & Games (may appear as Apps & Notifications)
- Select Manage All Applications (may appear as Running Apps), then select the app you wish to manage.
- Select Force Stop
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Do the steps listed above not match what you see on your device? Contacting your device manufacturer may help you find specific steps for the exact device you're using.