Find, open and close apps on Android

You'll find some apps on your home screens, and all your apps in 'All apps'. You can open apps, switch between apps, and find two apps at once. Learn how to find and move your apps with our step-by-step tutorial.

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 9 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to the top. If you get All apps , tap it.
Tap the app that you want to open.

Tip: If you're using a Google Account for work or school, you’ll find your apps in a 'Work' tab.

Swipe up from the bottom, hold, then let go.
- If you’re on Android Go with 3-button navigation, tap Recent apps .
Swipe left or right to switch to the app that you want to open.
Tap the app that you want to open.

Important: Some apps, like Google Play services or system apps, can’t be stopped. Learn more about Google Play services.

Close one app: Swipe up from the bottom, hold, then let go. Swipe up on the app.
Close all apps: Swipe up from the bottom, hold, then let go. Swipe from left to right. On the left, tap Clear all.
Close all apps on Android Go: Swipe up from the bottom, hold and let go. At the bottom, tap Clear all.
Find your home screen: Tap Home or Home .
Stop apps working in the background:
1. To open Quick Settings, from the top of the screen, swipe down twice.
2. To see the number of active apps running in the background:
  - At the bottom left, tap # active apps.
  - Or, at the bottom right, tap the number next to Settings and Power .
3. To close each active app, tap Stop.

Tip: Even if you don't close apps, you won't run out of memory or battery. Android manages these automatically.

Get new apps

You can get more apps in the Play Store app . Learn how to download apps.