I love watching shows on my Apple TV, but sometimes an app freezes or slows things down. When that happens, I need to close the app and start fresh. The first time it happened, I wasn’t sure what to do. I clicked buttons randomly, hoping something would work. It didn’t.
After some trial and error, I finally figured it out. Now, I can do it in seconds. If you’ve ever struggled with this, don’t worry. I’ll walk you through the easiest ways to close apps on your Apple TV, whether you have a remote, a phone, or nothing at all.
Table of Contents
Ever Wondered How to Close Apps on Your Apple TV? Here’s My Experience
I use my Apple TV every day, switching between apps like Netflix and YouTube. Sometimes, an app slows down or stops working. When that happens, I need to close it fast.
Closing Apps on Apple TV 4K: My Go-To Method
Apple TV 4K makes closing apps quick and easy. I do it in seconds without any hassle.
- Double-click the TV button on the remote.
- Swipe left or right to find the app.
- Swipe up to close it.
That’s it! My Apple TV runs smoother, and I’m back to watching in no time.
Using My iPhone to Close Apps on Apple TV
I don’t always have my remote nearby, but my iPhone saves the day. With just a few taps, I can close apps instantly.
- Open the Control Center on my iPhone.
- Tap the Apple TV Remote icon.
- Select my Apple TV from the list.
- Double-tap the TV button on the screen.
- Swipe to the app and swipe up to close it.
That’s it! It works just like the remote, and I don’t have to search for it.
No Remote? No Problem: Closing Apps Without It
Losing the remote happens more often than I’d like. Thankfully, my iPhone does the same job.
- Open the Apple TV Remote app on my iPhone or iPad.
- Follow the same steps as above to close the app.
It’s quick, simple, and means I never get stuck with a frozen app.
Handling Unresponsive Apps: My Quick Fixes
Sometimes an app just stops working, and I need to fix it fast. I don’t waste time waiting—I take action right away.
- Force quit the app using the steps I already covered.
- If that doesn’t work, restart Apple TV:
- Go to Settings > System > Restart.
That’s usually all it takes. My Apple TV runs like new again, and I’m back to streaming.
Managing Apps on Different Apple TV Generations
I’ve used different Apple TV models, and each one handles apps differently. Knowing what works saves me a lot of frustration.
- 1st & 2nd Generation: These models don’t support closing apps. I restart the device if something stops working.
- 3rd Generation: I press and hold the Menu and Down buttons until my Apple TV restarts. That’s the only way to close a stuck app.
Every model is different, but now I know exactly what to do.
Resetting an App on Apple TV: My Approach
Sometimes, closing an app isn’t enough. When an app keeps acting up, I reset it. This gives it a fresh start and fixes most issues.
- Go to the Home screen and find the app.
- Press and hold the touch surface on the remote until the app starts shaking.
- Press the Play/Pause button and select Delete.
- Open the App Store and reinstall the app.
After doing this, the app runs smoothly again. It’s a quick fix that saves me from dealing with endless glitches.