How Do I Close Apps on iPhone? Mastering iOS App Management
Closing apps on your iPhone might seem straightforward, but there are nuances depending on what you're trying to achieve: Are you aiming to free up RAM, improve battery life, or simply declutter your screen? This guide clarifies the best methods and debunks common myths.
Method 1: The App Switcher (For Recently Used Apps)
This is the most common and often the best approach for quickly closing apps you've recently used. It doesn't necessarily kill the app completely, but it suspends it in the background, freeing up resources.
-
Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause slightly. This reveals the App Switcher. (On iPhone X and later, swipe up from the bottom and hold.)
-
Preview your recently used apps. You'll see a horizontal stack of app previews.
-
Swipe up on an app's preview to close it. You'll see the app's preview slide upward and disappear.
Important Note: While this method closes the app from the App Switcher, it doesn't necessarily mean the app is completely shut down and all its processes ended. iOS intelligently manages background processes, so simply closing an app from the App Switcher may not significantly impact performance or battery life in most cases.
Do I Need to Close Apps on My iPhone Regularly?
This is a common question, and the short answer is: generally, no. iOS's intelligent background process management usually handles app activity efficiently. Force-quitting apps frequently isn't usually necessary and can even be counterproductive. iOS will suspend apps when needed to manage resources and resume them quickly when you open them again. Constantly closing apps can actually increase battery drain as the phone has to restart the processes next time you need them.
When Should I Close Apps?
There are certain scenarios where closing apps can be beneficial:
- An app is malfunctioning or freezing: Force-quitting is the best way to resolve issues when an app becomes unresponsive.
- You suspect a specific app is draining your battery excessively: If you notice unusually high battery usage by a single app, closing it may temporarily improve battery life.
- You are experiencing noticeable performance issues (lag, slowdowns): Closing resource-intensive apps can help improve general device responsiveness. However, before resorting to closing apps, try restarting your iPhone as this is often more effective in clearing up system-wide issues.
Method 2: Force Quitting (For Unresponsive Apps)
Force-quitting is different from simply closing an app from the App Switcher. This method is used when an app becomes unresponsive or frozen.
-
Double-click the side button (or Home button on older models). This opens the App Switcher.
-
Find the unresponsive app.
-
Swipe up and hold on the app's preview. The app preview will start to jiggle slightly.
-
Tap the red minus (-) button that appears in the top-left corner of the app's preview.
-
Tap "Force Quit".
This process ensures the app and all its associated processes are fully terminated.
How Does Closing Apps Affect Battery Life?
Contrary to popular belief, constantly closing apps generally doesn't improve battery life significantly. iOS is designed to manage background processes efficiently. Focus on identifying and addressing battery-hogging apps through your iPhone's battery usage settings instead of repeatedly closing apps.
Will Closing Apps Free Up Storage Space?
No, closing apps does not free up storage space on your iPhone. Storage space is used by the app itself, its data, and other system files. Closing an app only affects its currently running processes, not the storage it occupies. To free up storage space, you need to delete apps or files.
By understanding the difference between closing apps from the App Switcher and force-quitting, you can manage your iPhone's apps effectively without unnecessary actions that might even negatively impact performance. Remember, iOS is designed to handle background processes intelligently; only intervene when necessary.
