How to Stop Waze and Close the App

Understanding Waze and When You Might Want to Stop Using It

Waze is a navigation application owned by Google that provides real-time traffic information, turn-by-turn directions, and route planning for drivers. The app uses data from millions of users to show current traffic conditions, accidents, road hazards, and police speed traps. Since its founding in 2007 and acquisition by Google in 2013, Waze has grown to over 140 million monthly active users worldwide. Many people use it as their primary navigation tool for commuting, road trips, and daily errands.

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There are various reasons why someone might want to stop using Waze. Some users find that the app consumes significant battery power on their phones, as GPS navigation is one of the most battery-intensive activities. Others may be concerned about privacy, since Waze collects location data continuously while running. Battery drainage can be particularly problematic during long drives or when you don't have access to a charger. Some users also report that Waze sometimes suggests unusual routes or gets stuck trying to reroute around minor traffic congestion, which can be frustrating on familiar routes.

Additional reasons to stop using Waze include switching to alternative navigation apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps, reducing data usage on cellular plans, or simply preferring a different navigation experience. Some drivers find that alternative mapping applications suit their needs better or have features they prefer. Understanding your reasons for stopping helps you decide whether you want to temporarily pause the app, delete it entirely, or make other changes to how you use it.

Practical Takeaway: Before stopping Waze, consider what specifically bothers you about it. This helps you decide whether you need to completely remove it or just adjust how you use the app.

How to Pause and Stop Navigation in Waze

When you're actively using Waze for navigation, you don't need to close the entire app to stop routing. Waze provides straightforward controls to end your current trip without removing the application from your phone. Understanding these controls helps you manage navigation without unnecessary steps.

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To stop active navigation in Waze, look for the red X button or stop icon that typically appears on the navigation screen. On most versions of Waze, this button is located in the upper left or upper right corner of the screen during active navigation. Tapping this button will immediately stop turn-by-turn directions and close the navigation view. The app will return to the main map screen showing your current location without active route guidance.

If you're using Waze on Android, you may also pause navigation by pressing the back button on your device, though this varies depending on your phone model and Android version. On iPhone, swiping from the left edge of the screen or using the back navigation gesture may close the navigation screen. Some users find it helpful to pull down the notification shade while navigating and tap the X on the Waze notification to stop routing.

After stopping navigation, Waze remains open on your phone but is no longer providing active directions. The app will still display your location on the map and show traffic information, but it won't guide you turn-by-turn. You can resume navigation by entering a new destination, or simply leave the app open if you want to refer to it occasionally without active routing.

Practical Takeaway: Stopping active navigation in Waze is simpler than closing the app entirely—just tap the X or stop button on the navigation screen to end your current trip.

Closing Waze on Android Devices

Closing Waze on Android phones involves a few different methods depending on your device and preferences. Android operating systems allow you to close apps in multiple ways, giving you flexibility in how you manage running applications. Understanding these methods helps you fully close Waze rather than just stopping navigation.

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The most common method to close Waze on Android is through the Recent Apps menu. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen (on newer Android versions) or press the Recent Apps button, which is typically located in the lower right corner of your device. This opens a list of recently used applications. Find Waze in this list and swipe it upward or to the side to close it completely. This method works on most Android phones running Android 5.0 and newer.

An alternative method involves using the Settings menu. Open your Android Settings app, navigate to "Apps" or "Application Manager," find Waze in the list of installed applications, and select it. You'll see options including "Force Stop." Tapping this button will immediately close Waze if it's currently running. This method is particularly useful if Waze is not responding properly or if you want to ensure the app closes completely.

You can also close Waze by pressing and holding the Home button on older Android devices, which opens the Recent Apps interface, then swiping Waze away. On some Samsung devices, the Recent Apps button may be in a different location, but the swiping action to close apps remains the same. After using any of these methods, Waze will stop running in the background, which can help preserve battery life and free up device memory.

Practical Takeaway: The easiest way to close Waze on Android is to open Recent Apps and swipe the Waze card away from the screen.

Closing Waze on iPhone and iOS Devices

Closing Waze on iPhones and other iOS devices differs slightly from Android methods due to Apple's different operating system design. iPhones provide specific gestures and controls for closing applications, and knowing these techniques helps you fully close Waze when you're done using it.

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For iPhones with Face ID or newer models without a Home button, close Waze by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. This action brings up the App Switcher, which shows all your recently used applications as cards. Find the Waze card in this view, swipe it upward to close the app completely. This gesture works on iPhone X and all newer models including the iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 series.

For older iPhone models that have a physical Home button, double-press the Home button to open the App Switcher. This displays your recent apps as cards or thumbnails. Swipe up on the Waze card to close it. After swiping, Waze will be removed from active memory and will stop running in the background.

If Waze is completely frozen or not responding to normal closing methods, you can force close it through Settings. Open the Settings app on your iPhone, navigate to "General," then select "iPhone Storage" or "App Storage." Find Waze in the list of installed apps, tap it, and select "Offload App." This removes the app from active memory while keeping your settings and data. Alternatively, you can toggle Waze off in the Background App Refresh settings to prevent it from running when you're not actively using it.

Another option for iPhones is to enable Low Power Mode through Settings, which reduces background app activity for all applications including Waze. This doesn't fully close the app but significantly reduces its battery consumption and background activity.

Practical Takeaway: On iPhones, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and then swipe up on the Waze card to close the app completely.

Uninstalling Waze Completely From Your Phone

If you want to completely remove Waze from your device rather than just closing it, you can uninstall the application entirely. This removes all the app files from your phone's storage and prevents Waze from running in the background. Uninstalling is appropriate if you've decided to use a different navigation app or no longer need turn-by-turn directions.

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On Android devices, open your Settings app and navigate to "Apps" or "Application Manager." Find Waze in the list of installed applications and tap it. You'll see an "Uninstall" button at the top of the screen. Tap this button and confirm when prompted. Android will remove Waze from your device, freeing up the storage space the app was using. The amount of space freed depends on your usage—Waze typically uses between 100 to 500 megabytes depending on how much map data you've cached.

On iPhones, locate the Waze app on your home screen or in the App Library. Press and hold the Waze icon until a menu appears with options. Select "Remove App," then