It’s not all that often that an Apple TV app freezes, locks up, or otherwise goes haywire, but it certainly happens. The best remedy for a buggy Apple TV app is to close it, but the process might not be all that obvious for new (or even experienced) users.
Luckily, closing a misbehaving Apple TV app is easy, and while we’re at it, we can also show you how to quickly switch between Apple TV apps. Here’s what you do.
- Time to complete: 5 minutes
- Tools required: Siri remote
- Materials required: Apple TV or Apple TV 4K
- Cost: $0
Double-click the TV button on the Siri (Apple TV) remote
Ben Patterson/Foundry
The first step is to summon the Apple TV’s app-switching view, which looks like a series of windows representing each of your open Apple TV apps.
To do so, just double-tap the TV button (the one with the TV screen icon) on the Siri remote (that’s the official name for the remote that came with your Apple TV).
Navigate to the Apple TV app you want to close or force quit
Ben Patterson/Foundry
Next, you need to navigate to the Apple TV app you want to close. Using the clickpad on the second-gen Siri remote (the one with the aluminum chassis pictured in the first step), just swipe from side to side until the window with the app you want to close is front and center.
If you’re using the original Siri remote (the black one), follow the same process using the touch surface at the top of the remote.
Swipe up to close the app (or click to switch to it)
Ben Patterson/Foundry
Now, close the app by swiping up on the Siri remote’s clickpad (for the second-gen Siri remote) or touch surface (on the original remote). When you do, the app window will fly up and disappear, essentially forcing the app to quit.
If you just want to switch to the app rather than close it, press the Siri remote’s clickpad or touch surface.
Close the app-switching screen
Ben Patterson/Foundry
Finally, tap the Back button (on the second-gen Siri remote, pictured above) or the Menu button (on the original Siri remote) to leave the app-switcher view and return to the standard Apple TV interface.
If the app you closed was buggy, try opening it again, and hopefully it will work normally.
Author: Ben Patterson, Senior Writer, TechHive
Ben has been writing about technology and consumer electronics for more than 20 years. A PCWorld contributor since 2014, Ben joined TechHive in 2019, where he has covered everything from smart speakers and soundbars to smart lights and security cameras. Ben's articles have also appeared in PC Magazine, TIME, Wired, CNET, Men's Fitness, Mobile Magazine, and more. Ben holds a master's degree in English literature.