Cannot exit app on Samsung phone or tablet

Apps can be pinned to prevent other apps and notifications from interrupting their use. You won't be able to accidentally exit an app if it is pinned. Pinning can also be used when letting people use your phone. If you cannot exit an app, it was probably pinned by mistake.

A person holding a Galaxy Note20 with an app open while trying to exit the app.

Cannot exit app on Samsung phone or tablet

Checkpoint

Exit or unpin the app on your phone or tablet

Note

A pinned app will display unpinning instructions when Back or Recent is touched. If you use gesture navigation, swipe up and hold on the middle gesture bar to unpin a running app. You will see a notification that the app is unpinned.

Ways to exit an app with the navigation buttons

There are two ways you can exit an app with the navigation button on your Galaxy device:

Use the Back button: Press the Back button repeatedly until you exit the app.
Use the Recent Apps button: Press and hold the Recents button (usually located at the bottom right of the screen) and swipe on the app’s window to close it.

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Unpin with navigation buttons

If you are unable to exit an app, touch and hold the Recents and Back buttons while the app is running to unpin it.

Read less

Unpin with gesture navigation

Swipe up and hold on the middle gesture bar to unpin a running app. You will see a notification that the app is unpinned.

Read less

Unpin with a security feature

You can add an extra step for unpinning your apps by using a pattern, PIN, or password. This is helpful if you lend someone your phone and don't want them to exit the pinned app.

To set this up, navigate to Settings, and then tap Security and privacy. Swipe to and tap Other security settings, and then tap Pin windows. If needed, tap the switch to turn the feature on.

Next, tap the switch next to Use screen lock type to unpin and then select your preferred unlock type. Unpin the app the regular way, and then you'll be prompted to enter your chosen unlock type.

Read less

Disable the Pin windows function

Navigate to Settings and then tap Security and privacy. Swipe to and tap Other security settings, and then tap Pin windows. Tap the switch to turn it off.

Read less

Did this resolve your issue?

If this didn’t resolve your issue, please click on “No” for more help.

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We’re happy to hear that your problem has been resolved.

Force a reboot on the phone or tablet

Make sure your device has enough battery.

Make sure your battery is charged to at least 5%. If your battery is below 5%, the phone may not turn on after the reboot.

If the battery is completely drained, it should be charged for a minimum of 15 minutes using an appropriate Samsung charger.

Reboot the device.

Rebooting will be a little different depending on what model you have.

Devices with a Power button: Press and hold the Volume down and Power buttons simultaneously for approximately 10 seconds.
Devices with a Side button: Press and hold the Volume down and Side buttons simultaneously for approximately 10 seconds.

The Power menu may appear; just continue pressing the buttons until the Samsung logo appears.

Select Normal Boot.

The device should boot up normally. However, if the Maintenance mode screen appears, use the Volume buttons to cycle through the options. Then, press the Power button or Side button to select Normal Boot.

Did this resolve your issue?

If this didn’t resolve your issue, please click on “No” for more help.

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We’re happy to hear that your problem has been resolved.

Check for software and app updates on your phone or tablet

Note

Available screens and settings may vary by wireless service provider, software version, and model.

Check for software updates.

Software update menu highlighted in the Settings on a Galaxy phone.

Navigate to and open the device's Settings, and then swipe to and tap Software update or System updates. Next, tap Download and install, Check for system updates, or Check for software updates, depending on your carrier. If an update is available it should begin downloading automatically although you may need to tap Download now on some devices.

Check for app updates.

Updates icon selected in the Galaxy Store on a Galaxy phone.

Galaxy Store: Open the Galaxy Store, and then tap Menu (the three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Tap Updates, and then tap Update app to install all available updates.
Play Store: Open the Play Store, tap your profile picture, and then tap Manage apps & device. Tap Updates available, and then tap Update all to install all available updates.

Test your device.

Try using your phone or tablet normally and see if the issue has been resolved.

Did this resolve your issue?

If this didn’t resolve your issue, please click on “No” for more help.

Yes No

We’re happy to hear that your problem has been resolved.

Checkpoint

Exit or unpin the app on your phone or tablet

Note

Ways to exit an app with the navigation buttons

There are two ways you can exit an app with the navigation button on your Galaxy device:

Use the Back button: Press the Back button repeatedly until you exit the app.
Use the Recent Apps button: Press and hold the Recents button (usually located at the bottom right of the screen) and swipe on the app’s window to close it.

Read less

Unpin with navigation buttons

If you are unable to exit an app, touch and hold the Recents and Back buttons while the app is running to unpin it.

Read less

Unpin with gesture navigation

Swipe up and hold on the middle gesture bar to unpin a running app. You will see a notification that the app is unpinned.

Read less

Unpin with a security feature

You can add an extra step for unpinning your apps by using a pattern, PIN, or password. This is helpful if you lend someone your phone and don't want them to exit the pinned app.

Next, tap the switch next to Use screen lock type to unpin and then select your preferred unlock type. Unpin the app the regular way, and then you'll be prompted to enter your chosen unlock type.

Read less

Disable the Pin windows function

Navigate to Settings and then tap Security and privacy. Swipe to and tap Other security settings, and then tap Pin windows. Tap the switch to turn it off.

Read less

Did this resolve your issue?

If this didn’t resolve your issue, please click on “No” for more help.

Yes No

We’re happy to hear that your problem has been resolved.

Force a reboot on the phone or tablet

Make sure your device has enough battery.

Make sure your battery is charged to at least 5%. If your battery is below 5%, the phone may not turn on after the reboot.

If the battery is completely drained, it should be charged for a minimum of 15 minutes using an appropriate Samsung charger.

Reboot the device.

Rebooting will be a little different depending on what model you have.

Devices with a Power button: Press and hold the Volume down and Power buttons simultaneously for approximately 10 seconds.
Devices with a Side button: Press and hold the Volume down and Side buttons simultaneously for approximately 10 seconds.

The Power menu may appear; just continue pressing the buttons until the Samsung logo appears.

Select Normal Boot.

Did this resolve your issue?

If this didn’t resolve your issue, please click on “No” for more help.

Yes No

We’re happy to hear that your problem has been resolved.

Check for software and app updates on your phone or tablet

Note

Available screens and settings may vary by wireless service provider, software version, and model.

Check for software updates.

Check for app updates.

Galaxy Store: Open the Galaxy Store, and then tap Menu (the three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Tap Updates, and then tap Update app to install all available updates.
Play Store: Open the Play Store, tap your profile picture, and then tap Manage apps & device. Tap Updates available, and then tap Update all to install all available updates.

Test your device.

Try using your phone or tablet normally and see if the issue has been resolved.

Did this resolve your issue?

If this didn’t resolve your issue, please click on “No” for more help.

Yes No

We’re happy to hear that your problem has been resolved.

Checkpoint

Exit or unpin the app on your phone or tablet

Note

Ways to exit an app with the navigation buttons

There are two ways you can exit an app with the navigation button on your Galaxy device:

Use the Back button: Press the Back button repeatedly until you exit the app.
Use the Recent Apps button: Press and hold the Recents button (usually located at the bottom right of the screen) and swipe on the app’s window to close it.

Read less

Unpin with navigation buttons

If you are unable to exit an app, touch and hold the Recents and Back buttons while the app is running to unpin it.

Read less

Unpin with gesture navigation

Swipe up and hold on the middle gesture bar to unpin a running app. You will see a notification that the app is unpinned.

Read less

Unpin with a security feature

You can add an extra step for unpinning your apps by using a pattern, PIN, or password. This is helpful if you lend someone your phone and don't want them to exit the pinned app.

Next, tap the switch next to Use screen lock type to unpin and then select your preferred unlock type. Unpin the app the regular way, and then you'll be prompted to enter your chosen unlock type.

Read less

Disable the Pin windows function

Navigate to Settings and then tap Security and privacy. Swipe to and tap Other security settings, and then tap Pin windows. Tap the switch to turn it off.

Read less

Did this resolve your issue?

If this didn’t resolve your issue, please click on “No” for more help.

Yes No

We’re happy to hear that your problem has been resolved.

Force a reboot on the phone or tablet

Make sure your device has enough battery.

Make sure your battery is charged to at least 5%. If your battery is below 5%, the phone may not turn on after the reboot.

If the battery is completely drained, it should be charged for a minimum of 15 minutes using an appropriate Samsung charger.

Reboot the device.

Rebooting will be a little different depending on what model you have.

Devices with a Power button: Press and hold the Volume down and Power buttons simultaneously for approximately 10 seconds.
Devices with a Side button: Press and hold the Volume down and Side buttons simultaneously for approximately 10 seconds.

The Power menu may appear; just continue pressing the buttons until the Samsung logo appears.

Select Normal Boot.

Did this resolve your issue?

If this didn’t resolve your issue, please click on “No” for more help.

Yes No

We’re happy to hear that your problem has been resolved.

Check for software and app updates on your phone or tablet

Note

Available screens and settings may vary by wireless service provider, software version, and model.

Check for software updates.

Check for app updates.

Galaxy Store: Open the Galaxy Store, and then tap Menu (the three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Tap Updates, and then tap Update app to install all available updates.
Play Store: Open the Play Store, tap your profile picture, and then tap Manage apps & device. Tap Updates available, and then tap Update all to install all available updates.

Test your device.

Try using your phone or tablet normally and see if the issue has been resolved.

Did this resolve your issue?

If this didn’t resolve your issue, please click on “No” for more help.

Yes No

We’re happy to hear that your problem has been resolved.

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Cannot exit app on Samsung phone or tablet