A ​​frozen application, slow smartphone operation, or simply a desire to free up RAM are the reasons why users are looking for ways to close all apps at Android at the same time. Unlike iOSwhere the management of background processes is strictly regulated by the system, Android provides several options for mass termination of tasks from standard gestures to hidden engineering commands.

However, not all methods are equally effective. For example, manually closing each application through the multitasking menu takes time, and the use of killer tasks can, on the contrary, due to the constant restart of system processes. In this article we will analyze increase battery consumption by 15-20% due to constant restart of system processes. In this article we will look at 5 working ways —from the simplest to the most advanced—and also explain why some of them can harm the performance of your device.

1. Standard method: multitasking menu

The most obvious and safest method is to use the built-in task manager. It works on all devices, regardless of version Android (from 5.0 Lollipop to 14) and shells (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS etc.). Algorithm of actions:

  1. Open the multitasking menu:
    • 📱 On most smartphones - swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen with a delay in the middle.
    • 🖱️ On tablets or devices with a button Menu — press ☰ → Recent applications.
  • Close all applications:
    • 🧹 On Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo: tap on the icon ✕ Close all (usually at the bottom of the screen).
    • 🔄 On "clean" Android (for example Google Pixel): Swipe left/right on each application or tap Clear all.

      • ⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Huawei c EMUI), the mass close option may be hidden. In this case, you will have to close applications one by one or use alternative methods from the following sections.

      📊 How often do you close all applications on Android?
      Every day
      Once a week
      Only when the phone slows down
      Never

      2. Quickly close with gestures (for Android 10+)

      Starting with Android 10Google has introduced an improved gesture system that allows you to speed up multitasking. If your device supports gesture navigation (check in Settings → System → Gestures), use this method:

      1. Do quickly swipe up from the bottom edge and hold your finger for 0.5 seconds - the recent applications menu will open.
      2. Without releasing your finger pull left or right —this will close all applications at once (does not work on all shells).
      3. On some devices (for example, OnePlus) it is enough double tap on the application icon in the menu multitasking.

      🔍 Problem: Manufacturers often modify gestures to suit their shells. For example, on Xiaomi s MIUI 14 this method may not work - instead, the option Blocking the application (prohibition of closing) will appear.

      ☑️ Checking gesture support

      Done: 0 / 4

      3. Using the "Clear All" button in the developer settings

      For advanced users, there is a hidden option that allows Force close all background processes one click. However, to activate it you will need to enable Developer mode:

      1. Go to Settings → About phone → Build number and tap on it 7 timesuntil a notification appears You have become a developer!.
      2. Return to Settings → System → For developers.
      3. Find the option Do not save actions (Don’t keep activities) and enable it.
      4. Now when you press the button Home all applications will automatically close.

      ⚠️ Attention: This mode significantly increases battery consumption, since the system is forced to restart applications every time it is opened. Use it only for testing or in extreme cases!

      Method Speed Efficiency Risks
      Multitasking menu ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ No
      Gestures (Android 10+) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ Does not work on all shells
      Mode developer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐ High battery consumption
      ADB command ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Requires PC and debugging

      4. Forced closure via ADB (for experienced users)

      If standard methods do not help (for example, the application is frozen and does not respond to swipes), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires connecting your smartphone to a computer, but is guaranteed to work even on locked devices.

      Instructions:

      1. Download and install Platform Tools (included Android Studio).
      2. Enable on your phone USB debugging (Settings → System → For Developers).
      3. Connect the device to the PC and open Command Line (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder c adb.
      4. Run the command to close all user applications: 
        adb shell am kill-all

    💡 Tip: If you need to close a specific application (for example, Facebook), use: 

    adb shell am force-stop com.facebook.katana

    (replace com.facebook.katana with the identifier of the desired application).

    How to find the application identifier?

    Open the Play Market, find the application and copy the part of the URL after "id=" (for example, for Telegram it is com.telegram).

    5. Third-party applications: killer tasks and optimizers

    In Google Play hundreds of utilities that promise to “speed up your phone in one click.” However, the majority of them either useless (since Android it manages memory itself), or harmful (they constantly kill processes, forcing the system to waste resources on restarting them). However, there are several proven tools:

    • 🛡️ Greenify - does not kill applications, but “freezes” them, saving battery. Works without root.
    • ⚡ SD Maid — clears the cache and stops background processes (required root for full functionality).
    • 🔧 Developer Options Shortcut — quick access to developer settings for force closing.

    ⚠️ Attention: Applications like Clean Master or DU Speed Booster often contain adware and may slow down device. Before installing, check reviews and ratings.

    💡

    If after using the killer task the phone begins to run slower, return to the standard methods of closing applications and reboot device.

    6. Rebooting the device as a last resort

    If none of the methods helped, but the smartphone stuck or very slowremains the classic method - reboot. This will not only close all applications, but also clear system cachewhich often solves performance problems.

    How to restart the device correctly:

    • 🔄 Soft reboot: Hold the button Power → select Reboot.
    • 🔋 Forced reboot (if the screen does not respond): Hold Power + Reduce volume for 10-15 seconds.
    • 📱 For devices with a non-removable battery: If the screen is black, connect the charger - sometimes this helps to “wake up” the phone.

    📌 Important: Frequent forced reboots can lead to damage to the file system. Use this method only in extreme cases.

    💡

    Rebooting is the most reliable way to close all applications, but you should not abuse it: this is an emergency measure, not a daily procedure.

    Common mistakes and how to avoid them

    Many users make typical errorstrying to close applications on Android. Here are the most common of them and ways to solve them:

    • 🚫 Closing system processes: Some utilities (for example, Task Manager) allow you to kill system services (for example, com.android.systemui). This can lead to interface crash or data loss.
    • 🔄 Permanently closing background applications: Android optimized for multitasking. Forcibly closing applications (for example WhatsApp or Gmail) will force them restarting more oftenwhich will increase battery consumption.
    • 📱 Using killer tasks on new devices: On smartphones with 6+ GB RAM (for example, Samsung Galaxy S23 or Google Pixel 7) manual memory management not required —the system itself optimizes resources.

    🔧 Recommendation: Instead of constantly closing applications disable autorun unnecessary apps. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → ☰ → Autorun and disable background work for little-used utilities.

    ❓ Do you need to close all applications on Android every day?

    No, it is not necessary. Modern versions Android (starting from 8.0 Oreo) automatically manage memory and “freeze” unused applications. Manual closing is only necessary if:

    • Application frozen and does not respond to presses.
    • Phone severely slow due to lack of RAM (relevant for devices with 2–3 GB of memory).
    • You use confidential data (for example, banking applications) and want to close them.
    ❓ Why do they open again after closing applications?

    This happens because:

    • Autostart —many applications (for example, Facebook or TikTok) are configured for automatic restart.
    • Push notifications —some apps restart when a notification is received.
    • System optimization — Android can restore frequently used applications to speed up work.

      • 🔧 Solution: Disable autorun in the application settings or use Greenify.

    ❓ Is it possible to close all applications using the voice assistant (Google Assistant)?

    There is no direct command for this, but you can create routine:

    1. Open Google Assistant and say: "Open routine settings".
    2. Create a new routine with the command "Close all applications".
    3. As an action, select "Open the multitasking menu" (this will open a list of applications, but will not close them automatically).

    📌 Unfortunately, full automation without rootrights or ADB it is impossible to achieve.

    ❓ Is it harmful to constantly close applications for battery?

    Yes, regular forced closing can:

    • Increase battery consumption by 10–20% due to constant restarts.
    • Slow down the phone (the system wastes resources on re-downloading data).
    • Lead to loss of unsaved data (for example, in instant messengers or editors).

    ⚠️ Exception: If the application obviously consumes a lot of resources (for example Pokémon GO in the background), you can close it manually.

    ❓ Do these methods work on Android tablets?

    Yes, all described methods suitable for tablets (for example, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Lenovo Tab or Xiaomi Pad). However, please note:

    • On tablets with Android 12L/13 gestures may differ (for example, swipe from the side instead of from the bottom).
    • Some manufacturers (for example, Huawei) block mass closing on tablets due to a larger number of simultaneously open windows.