This article explains how to close applications running on an Android device (smartphone or tablet). Closing an application will prevent it from continuing to run in the background thereby improving the use of the device's hardware resources, such as battery, RAM and CPU. If you are still having trouble after stopping an app from running, you can try to force it to stop or close certain background services.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use the Recently Used App List
Step 1. Open the list of recently used applications on your Android device
If you are using OS 10 or later, slide your finger up the screen from the bottom of the Home screen, keep your finger pressed on the screen, and then lift it. Depending on the model of Android device you are using, you may need to select an icon instead of performing the described gestures. The icon under consideration should depict three parallel vertical lines and should be placed in the lower right or left corner of the screen. Other models use an icon depicting a square or series of triangles in succession.
Step 2. Scroll through the list of apps
Swipe the screen left or right (or up or down depending on your device model) until you find the application you want to close.
Step 3. Slide the relevant app window out of view of the screen
Where you need to drag the application window varies by device. If you have examined the list of recent apps by sliding it vertically, then you will need to drag the window of the app you want to close to the right or left side of the screen. If, on the other hand, you have consulted the list of recent apps by sliding it horizontally, you will have to drag the window of the app you want to close towards the top or bottom of the screen. In this way the application in question will be closed.
- In some cases, you can close an app by tapping the icon with a small one X located in the upper right or left of the program window, rather than having to slide it out of the field of view of the screen.
- If you need to close all recently used apps at the same time, you can press the button Close them all or Remove everything.
Method 2 of 3: Force Shut Down an App
Step 1. Launch the Device Settings app by tapping the icon
It has a gray gear and is displayed within the "Applications" panel.
- Alternatively, slide your finger down on the screen starting from the top (in some cases you may need to use two fingers), then select the small icon depicting a gear located in the upper right corner of the box that appeared.
- Use this method if you have already closed all recently used apps, but the problem you have encountered (malfunction of a program or a decrease in device performance) is still present.
Step 2. Scroll down the menu and choose the App item or Apps and notifications.
Depending on the brand of the device and the version of Android installed, you will find one of the options indicated in the "Settings" menu. This will display the complete list of all installed apps.
Step 3. Choose the option to view the list of all apps
Depending on your device model, the list may not include all installed apps. If there is a button depicted with three dots in the upper right corner of the screen, press it and select the item Show system applications or Show all apps to view the complete list.
Step 4. Select the app you want to close
A new screen will appear which will list all the information of the chosen program.
Step 5. Press the Stop button or Forced shutdown.
A confirmation window will appear asking you to confirm that you want to close the app in question.
The warning message that appeared could also inform you that by closing the app in this way you run the risk of losing data or obtaining an unexpected result since forcibly closing a running program could prevent it from completing the operations it is performing or save the data it is using
Step 6. Press the Force Stop button or OK to confirm.
This will close the selected app completely, including all related and background processes.
Method 3 of 3: Stop a Running Service
Step 1. Launch the Device Settings app by tapping the icon
It features a gray gear. On some occasions, closing an application does not also cause all related processes to stop, leaving them running in the background and wasting resources. Normally, to solve the problem it is sufficient to simply close the services related to the app in question.
A service is a background program that lacks a user interface like that used by normal applications. It is very rare for a user other than the app developer to need to close a process and that is why this feature is included in the "Developer Options" menu which is not normally visible in the "Settings" menu
Step 2. Scroll down the menu to be able to select the About phone option or Info about the tablet.
One of the options shown is displayed at the bottom of the "Settings" menu.
Depending on your Android device model, you may need to access the tab first System in the menu to find the option Info.
Step 3. Scroll down the new menu to the "Build number" or "Build version" section
It should appear at the bottom of the menu.
Step 4. Tap "Build number" or "Build version" a number of times between 7 and 10
When you have tapped the indicated option enough times, you will see a warning message similar to the following "You are now a developer" appear on the screen.
Step 5. Press the "Back" button and select Developer Options
This is a new menu that appeared below the section About the phone or Info about the tablet in the "Settings" menu.
Step 6. Select the Developer Options menu
It is located at the bottom of the "settings" menu.
Step 7. Find and select the Running Services item
It should appear at the top of the "Developer Options" menu, but the precise location may vary by device model.
On some Android devices, the name of the item in question may be Processes or Process statistics.
Step 8. Tap the name of the service you want to close
The list of active services is sorted according to RAM memory consumption.
Remember that many services are critical to the proper functioning of the Android operating system, so closing the wrong process could cause your device to freeze or restart. In general, avoid closing services that include the keywords "Google" or "Android" in their name
Step 9. Press the Stop button
The selected process and all related apps will be closed.
- To confirm this step, you may need to press the button OK or Stop.
- The service could start automatically if you have to start the app it is associated with again or if you have to restart the device.
Advice
- As you explore the "Developer Options" menu, you may find some very useful features.
- Some apps, such as those you downloaded and installed from sources outside the Google Play Store, may not stop completely using the button to access recently used apps or the Settings menu.
