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How to Properly Close Open Apps on Your iPhone: A Definitive Guide

So, you’re wondering how to close open apps on your iPhone? It’s a common question, and frankly, the answer isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. Here’s the no-nonsense approach:

For iPhones with Face ID (iPhone X and later, including iPad Pro models without a Home button): Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and pause in the middle. This brings up the App Switcher. Then, swipe left or right to find the app you want to close, and swipe up on the app’s preview card to close it.
For iPhones with a Home button (iPhone 8 and earlier): Double-press the Home button to open the App Switcher. Again, swipe left or right to locate the app you wish to close, and then swipe up on its preview card.

That’s the core mechanic. But understanding why and when to close apps is equally important. Let’s dive deeper.

Understanding the iOS App Management System

Before we get bogged down in the how-to, let’s talk about iOS app management. Apple designed its operating system to be remarkably efficient. Apps you’ve used recently aren’t actually running in the background in the traditional sense. Instead, they’re often in a suspended state. This means they’re frozen in their last known state, ready to be quickly resumed when you need them again. This significantly conserves battery life and processing power compared to keeping apps actively running.

The Myth of Closing Apps for Battery Life

Let’s address the elephant in the room: the widely held belief that closing apps improves battery life. In most cases, it doesn’t. In fact, constantly force-closing and re-launching apps can actually decrease battery life. Why? Because re-launching an app from scratch consumes more resources than waking a suspended app.

However, there are specific situations where closing an app is beneficial. We’ll explore those in the FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Closing iPhone Apps

Let’s tackle some common questions and misconceptions surrounding closing apps on your iPhone.

1. When Should I Actually Close an App?

While closing apps frequently isn’t recommended, there are instances where it’s the best course of action:

If an app is frozen or unresponsive: This is the most common and valid reason to close an app. Force-closing it effectively restarts the app, potentially resolving the issue.
If an app is excessively draining battery in the background: While iOS is usually good at managing this, occasionally, an app might malfunction and consume excessive power. Monitor your battery usage (Settings > Battery) to identify culprit apps.
If an app is using excessive data in the background: Similar to battery drain, check your data usage (Settings > Cellular/Mobile Data) to see if any apps are behaving abnormally.
For security reasons: If you’ve used an app that requires sensitive information and you won’t be using it for a while, closing it can add an extra layer of security, although iOS is generally secure in this regard.

2. Does Closing Apps Free Up RAM?

Yes, closing an app does release the RAM (Random Access Memory) it was using. However, iOS is designed to manage RAM effectively. Manually freeing RAM is rarely necessary and often doesn’t provide any noticeable performance improvement. The OS will automatically allocate and deallocate RAM as needed.

3. How Do I Close All Open Apps at Once?

Unfortunately, iOS doesn’t offer a built-in way to close all apps simultaneously. You have to close them individually. While some jailbreak tweaks might offer this functionality, jailbreaking comes with its own risks and isn’t recommended for most users.

4. What’s the Difference Between Closing an App and Just Swiping Back to the Home Screen?

Swiping back to the Home Screen or switching to another app doesn’t close the previous app. It simply puts it into a suspended state, as mentioned earlier. The app remains in memory, ready to be quickly resumed. Closing an app, as described in the initial instructions, completely removes it from memory.

5. Will Closing an App Delete My Data Within That App?

No, closing an app will not delete your data. Unless the app is specifically designed to delete data upon closing (which is extremely rare), your progress and information will be preserved. The next time you open the app, it will typically restore to its last known state, as if you never closed it.

6. I Closed an App, But It Still Appears in the App Switcher. Why?

Sometimes, an app might appear in the App Switcher even after you’ve swiped it away. This is usually a visual glitch. Try restarting your iPhone. This will clear the App Switcher and ensure that only truly “open” or suspended apps are displayed.

7. How Does iOS Decide Which Apps to Keep in Memory?

iOS uses a sophisticated algorithm to determine which apps to keep in memory. It prioritizes apps you use frequently, apps that are actively performing background tasks (like playing music or downloading files), and apps that have recently been used. The system dynamically adjusts this allocation based on available resources and user behavior.

8. Are There Any Apps That Should Never Be Closed?

While there aren’t any hard and fast rules, it’s generally a good idea to avoid closing apps that perform essential background tasks, such as:

Music streaming apps: Closing these will stop playback.
Navigation apps: Closing these will interrupt your directions.
Apps syncing data in the background: Closing these may delay the synchronization process.

9. My iPhone is Still Running Slow Even After Closing Apps. What Else Can I Do?

If you’re experiencing persistent performance issues, closing apps is likely not the sole solution. Consider these other troubleshooting steps:

Update to the latest version of iOS: Software updates often include performance enhancements and bug fixes.
Free up storage space: A full storage can significantly impact performance. Delete unnecessary photos, videos, and apps.
Restart your iPhone: A simple restart can often resolve minor software glitches.
Reset all settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings): This will revert your settings to their defaults without deleting your data.
Consider a factory reset (as a last resort): This will erase all data from your iPhone, so back up your data beforehand.

10. Does Force-Closing an App Cause Any Harm?

In general, force-closing an app occasionally won’t cause any long-term harm to your iPhone or the app itself. However, repeatedly force-closing apps that are functioning normally can be unnecessary and, as previously mentioned, can potentially reduce battery life.

11. How Do I Know If an App is Draining My Battery in the Background?

iOS provides detailed battery usage statistics. Go to Settings > Battery and scroll down to “Battery Usage by App.” This will show you which apps are consuming the most battery, both on-screen and in the background. If you notice an app consuming an unusually high amount of battery in the background, it might be a good candidate for closing.

12. Is There an Easier Way to Access the App Switcher?

While the standard swipe-up or double-press method is the primary way to access the App Switcher, some assistive touch options can be configured to quickly bring up the App Switcher. Explore the accessibility settings for alternative input methods, but the standard methods are usually the most efficient.

Conclusion: Closing Thoughts on Closing Apps

Mastering the art of closing apps on your iPhone isn’t about blindly following old wives’ tales. It’s about understanding how iOS manages apps and making informed decisions based on your specific needs and circumstances. Remember, in most cases, letting iOS handle app management is the most efficient approach. Only intervene when an app is misbehaving or excessively draining resources. Now, go forth and manage your apps with confidence!