How to Close Google Chrome

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Learn how to correctly exit Chrome browser tabs and windows
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This wikiHow guide will teach you how to close individual tabs or windows on Google Chrome, as well as how to force quit the Chrome app when necessary.

Shutting Off Google Chrome Correctly

  • To close Google Chrome on iOS or Android, tap the square in the bottom toolbar. Tap the X in the corner of the tab.
  • You can also tap Close All to close all open tabs.
  • To close the Chrome app on iOS, swipe up (or double-press the Home button) and swipe up on Chrome.
Method 1
Method 1 of 7:

Closing Tabs on Android and iOS

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  1. This button is a number (reflecting the number of tabs you have open) inside of a square and is located in the upper right corner between the search bar and the menu button.
    • The mobile Chrome app does not support multiple windows, only tabs.
    • Tablets will display tabs similarly to the desktop interface and will not use the tab display button.
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  3. Alternately, you can open the Settings menu (vertical ellipses) after opening tab display and select “Close All Tabs” from the list.
  4. If you turn off the screen (power button) with an incognito tab open, you will see a “Close Incognito Tabs” notification when turning the screen back on. Double tap this notification and you will be returned to the home screen with all incognito tabs closed.
    • Incognito tabs can also be closed using the same methods as regular tabs.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 7:

Closing the Chrome App on Android

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  1. This button is typically located on the bottom right of the screen and will look like a square or overlapping squares depending on your phone/tablet. Tapping this will display a list of recently used apps.
  3. This will close the app and stop it from running in the background.
    • Alternately, tap the ‘x’ button. This button may appear in the upper right corner of the app window in the ‘recent app view’ if you are running Android 6 or later.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 7:

Force Quitting Chrome on Android

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  1. This is represented by the gear icon and will open a list of phone settings.
  2. This button is listed under the “Device” section in the settings menu and will take you to a list of apps on your device.
  3. The apps are listed in alphabetical order.
  4. This will terminate the Chrome process running on your device.
    • This should mainly be used if the app has frozen or if you are experiencing difficulties with the app process.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 7:

Closing Chrome on iOS

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  1. This will bring up a list of recently used apps.
  3. This will stop Chrome from actively running in the background.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 7:

Force Quitting Chrome on iOS

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  1. If Chrome has frozen or become responsive, then Chrome is probably already currently in use.
  2. After a couple seconds, the “Slide to power off” switch will appear.
  3. This will force quit whichever app is currently in use and return you to the home screen. [1]
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Method 6
Method 6 of 7:

Closing Chrome Tabs, Windows, and Processes on Desktop

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  1. This icon is located on the right side of each tab and will close only that tab.
    • To close the currently selected tab using keyboard shortcuts, press Ctrl + W for Windows and Linux, and ⌘ Cmd + W for Mac.
    • You can close all tabs at once in the selected window with Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + W / ⌘ Cmd + ⇧ Shift + W
  2. On Windows the ‘x’ is located in the upper right and will close the program unless there is a second window open. On Mac the ‘x’ is located in the upper left and will close the window but leave the process running.
    • Multiple windows can be opened by pressing Ctrl + N / ⌘ Cmd + N or by clicking a dragging a tab out of the tab bar. Each window supports multiple tabs.
  3. This button icon located on the upper right of the window. This will close all windows and tabs and end the process.
    • Windows keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + Q or Alt + F4 + Q will also work.
    • Mac keyboard shortcut ⌘ Cmd + Q will also work.
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Method 7
Method 7 of 7:

Force Quitting Google Chrome on Desktop

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  1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del (Windows) or ⌘ Cmd + ⌥ Option + Esc (Mac). [2] If the browser is not responding, you can use this keyboard shortcut to access all processes running on your computer.
  3. Press “End Task” (Windows) or “Force Quit” (Mac). This button is located in the lower right corner of the task manager window
    • Terminating a process can cause you to lose unsaved work or progress and should only be used if the application is unresponsive and cannot be closed normally.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Why won't Google Chrome shut down properly after my Windows update?
    Community Answer
    Try opening your Windows search bar. Type "Task Manager," click on it, find Chrome, right click on it, and then press "End Task."
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      Tips

      • Wait a minute before force quitting Chrome, sometimes the application will automatically recover from a page hang. You can also try reloading a hung webpage. [3]
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.imore.com/how-kill-or-force-quit-apps-iphone-ipad
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201276
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95669?hl=en&ref_topic=3097302

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