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TechGuide

This is how you can force quit apps on your smartphone, tablet or computer

There will always be at least one app that will act up sooner or later.

SOMETIMES AN APP or program will stop responding or start acting up on you.

This will happen at one point or another but all devices, not just PCs, have a way that allows you to force quit any app when this occurs. Doing this will allow you to relaunch it fresh where it will (hopefully) work again.

PC/Windows

Usually, most people would go for the sure-fire method of Ctrl + Alt + Delete, but there is a faster way.

Instead, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to bring up Windows Task Manager and click on Applications/Processes (depending on the version you’re using). Alternatively, you could just right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager from the list.

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Mac

Similar to Windows, Mac OS X has its own shortcut for accessing the force quit screen. Press Command + Option + Esc to bring it up, or go into the Apple menu at the top left-hand corner and just select it there.

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iOS

Simply a matter of double-click the home button, and swiping up on the apps you want closed. This won’t help you save system resources if your phone is running slowly, but if an app is frozen, it can help fix it.

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Android

There are two ways you can go about this. The first and easiest way is to hit the recents button (the third button beside home and back) and swipe to get rid of apps.

The other method is to go into settings itself. Scroll down to apps and tap on the offending app. Here you can force stop an app or carry out other actions like manage notifications and internal storage.

Similar to iOS, this won’t help you save system resources but is useful if an app is frozen.

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Chrome OS

When you’re using Chrome, just press Shift + Esc to bring up the task manager. Here you will be able to see what tabs are taking up the most resources and close them if necessary.

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Read: Apple bans hundreds of iPhone apps that secretly spied on users >

Read: HTC’s new hope for its smartphone range looks virtually identical to its biggest rival >

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