📱 How to Close Open Apps on iPad (Complete 2025 Guide)
Like the iPhone, your iPad keeps apps running in the background for quick switching.
But sometimes, apps freeze, slow down, or drain battery — which means you may need to close them manually.
Whether you have the latest iPad Pro or an older iPad with a Home button, this guide shows every method step-by-step.
✅ How to Close Apps on iPad With Gesture Navigation (No Home Button)
This applies to:
- iPad Pro (all models)
- iPad Air (newer models)
- iPad Mini (newer models)
- iPad 10th gen and later
✅ Steps:
1️⃣ Swipe up from the bottom of the screen
2️⃣ Hold your finger in the middle until the App Switcher appears
3️⃣ Swipe left or right to browse open apps
4️⃣ Swipe up on the app preview to close it
✅ Repeat for other apps you want to close.
✅ How to Close Apps on iPad With Home Button
This works on:
- iPad 9th gen
- iPad 6, 7, 8
- Older iPad Air / Mini models with Home button
Steps:
1️⃣ Double-press the Home button
2️⃣ The App Switcher opens
3️⃣ Swipe left or right to find your open apps
4️⃣ Swipe up on each app to close it
How to Force Close a Frozen App on iPad
If an app is stuck, not responding, or lags:
1️⃣ Open the App Switcher
2️⃣ Find the frozen app
3️⃣ Swipe up to force close it
After closing, reopen the app to refresh the session.
✅ This fixes most app crash or freeze issues without restarting the iPad.
How to See What Apps Are Running in Background
Open the App Switcher:
- Swipe up & hold (gesture iPads)
- Double-press Home (Home button iPads)
All open apps will appear — swipe through to manage them.
Should You Close Apps on iPad?
Apple says you don’t need to close apps regularly, because iPadOS automatically pauses them when not in use.
BUT, closing apps can help when:
✔ App is frozen
✔ App using battery or data
✔ iPad feels slow
✔ Streaming app stuck buffering
Difference Between Closing Apps vs Minimizing
- Minimizing = go to Home Screen, app is still paused in background
- Closing = swipe up in App Switcher so the app stops completely
If an app misbehaves, closing is better than just minimizing.
Battery Tip: Check Which Apps Use the Most Power
1️⃣ Open Settings
2️⃣ Tap Battery
3️⃣ See which apps consumed highest usage
4️⃣ Close or uninstall heavy apps
This improves performance on older iPads.
How to Restart iPad if App Won’t Close
If the screen freezes completely:
🔹 For gesture iPads
Press Volume Up → Volume Down → Hold Power button
🔹 For Home button iPads
Hold Home + Power button until Apple logo appears
This fixes system-wide freezing
- Apple Support – Force Close Apps: https://support.apple.com
- Apple iPad Restart Guide: https://support.apple.com/ipad-restart
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FAQs
1. How do I close an app running in the background on my iPad?
Open App Switcher by swiping up and holding (gesture iPads) or double-pressing Home (older models).
Swipe up on the app preview to close.
2. Does closing apps help speed up my iPad?
Yes, if an app is frozen or using resources.
But for normal use, iPadOS manages memory automatically, so constant closing is not required.
3. How do I force close a frozen app on iPad?
Open the App Switcher, locate the frozen app, and swipe it up to force close.
If the screen is fully stuck, restart the iPad using hardware buttons.
4. Can I close all apps on iPad at once?
There is no “close all” button.
However, you can use two or three fingers to swipe multiple apps up quickly.
5. Why is my iPad so slow even after closing apps?
Try:
- Restarting the iPad
- Checking storage
- Updating apps or iPadOS
- Removing heavy apps
If still slow, it may be a storage or software issue.
Conclusion
Closing apps on an iPad is simple and helps when apps misbehave, freeze, or drain battery.
Whether you use gesture controls or a Home button device, the App Switcher makes it easy to view and close any open application.
For serious freezing, force closing or restarting the iPad solves most problems.
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