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How to Close a Screen on an iPad: A Definitive Guide

Closing a screen on an iPad isn’t about hitting a traditional “close” button like on a desktop. It’s about mastering gestures and understanding the iPad’s multitasking system. In essence, to “close” an app screen, you send it to the background or completely quit it. This is primarily achieved through swiping up from the bottom edge of the screen (on models without a Home button) or double-pressing the Home button (on models with a Home button) to access the App Switcher, then swiping the app preview upwards.

Understanding iPad Multitasking

The iPad is a marvel of multitasking, capable of running numerous apps concurrently. However, this power requires you to grasp the nuances of how apps behave when you’re not actively using them. Apps generally enter a suspended state when you switch away from them. They’re still in memory, allowing you to quickly return to where you left off, but they’re not actively consuming processing power. This is different than being completely closed.

App States Explained

Before diving into the “how,” let’s solidify your understanding of app states:

Active: The app is in the foreground and is currently being used.
Inactive: The app is in the foreground, but not receiving events (e.g., the screen is locked).
Suspended: The app is in the background and not executing code. The system can purge suspended apps to free up memory.
Background: The app is in the background and executing code (e.g., playing music). Certain apps are allowed to operate in the background for specific functions.
Not Running: The app is terminated and no longer in memory.

Step-by-Step Guide to Closing Screens

Here’s the breakdown of how to effectively “close” screens on your iPad, depending on your iPad model:

iPads Without a Home Button (Gesture-Based Navigation)

These models, like the iPad Pro (2018 and later), iPad Air (4th generation and later), and iPad mini (6th generation), rely on intuitive gestures:

Access the App Switcher: Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and pause briefly in the middle of the screen. This brings up the App Switcher, displaying previews of all currently open apps.
Close an App (Send to Background): While in the App Switcher, swipe the app preview upwards and off the top of the screen. This forces the app to quit entirely.
Return to Home Screen: To simply switch away from an app without closing it, swipe up quickly from the bottom edge to return to the Home Screen. The app remains suspended in the background.
Closing Multiple Apps: Repeat step 2 for each app you wish to close.

iPads With a Home Button

Older iPad models, such as the iPad (9th generation and earlier), iPad Air (3rd generation and earlier), and iPad mini (5th generation and earlier), use the physical Home button:

Access the App Switcher: Double-press the Home button. This opens the App Switcher.
Close an App (Send to Background): In the App Switcher, swipe the app preview upwards and off the top of the screen. This will force quit the app.
Return to Home Screen: Press the Home button once to return to the Home Screen. The app remains suspended in the background until manually force quit.
Closing Multiple Apps: Repeat step 2 for each app you wish to close.

When to Close vs. When to Leave Open

A common question is whether you should close apps at all. The iPad’s operating system, iPadOS, is designed to manage memory efficiently. Here’s a guideline:

Leave Open: For frequently used apps, like your email client or web browser, leaving them suspended in the background allows for faster access and a smoother user experience. iPadOS automatically manages resources and will close apps in the background if memory is needed.
Close: Force quitting apps is beneficial when:
- An app is misbehaving (crashing, freezing).
- You’re experiencing excessive battery drain and suspect a rogue app.
- You want to ensure an app isn’t running in the background for privacy reasons.

Advanced Multitasking Features

The iPad takes multitasking further with features like Slide Over and Split View.

Slide Over

Slide Over allows you to open a second app in a floating window that sits on top of your current app.

Open Slide Over: Swipe up slightly from the bottom of the screen to reveal the Dock. Tap and hold the app icon you want to open in Slide Over, then drag it onto your current screen. Release the icon to open the app in a floating window.
Close Slide Over: Swipe the Slide Over window to the right edge of the screen to temporarily hide it. Swipe from the right edge to bring it back. To completely close Slide Over, tap the three dots at the top of the Slide Over window, then tap the “X” button.

Split View

Split View lets you work with two apps side-by-side on the same screen.

Open Split View: Open one app. Then, swipe up slightly from the bottom of the screen to reveal the Dock. Tap and hold the app icon you want to open in Split View, then drag it to the left or right edge of the screen. Release the icon to have both apps displayed side-by-side.
Close Split View: Drag the divider between the two apps completely to the left or right to close one of the apps and return the other to full-screen mode.

FAQs: iPad Screen Management

Here are some frequently asked questions that delve deeper into managing apps on your iPad.

1. Why Does My iPad Seem Slow, Even After Closing Apps?

There are several reasons for a slow iPad, even after closing apps. It could be due to a full storage drive, an outdated operating system, or demanding background processes (even if you’ve closed most apps). Try restarting your iPad, clearing cache files, and ensuring you have ample storage space.

2. Does Closing Apps Save Battery Life on iPad?

The answer is nuanced. While force-quitting apps can sometimes resolve battery drain caused by a malfunctioning app, constantly closing and reopening apps can actually consume more battery because the system has to reload the app into memory each time. It’s usually best to let iPadOS manage apps in the background.

3. How Do I Know if an App is Actually Closed on My iPad?

The best way to ensure an app is fully closed is to remove it from the App Switcher by swiping up on its preview. An app not listed in the App Switcher is generally not running.

4. What is the Difference Between “Suspending” and “Closing” an App?

Suspending an app means it’s in the background and can be quickly resumed. Closing an app means it’s completely terminated and needs to be relaunched.

5. How Do I Update My iPadOS to Get the Latest Multitasking Features?

Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Your iPad will check for available updates. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the latest version of iPadOS.

6. Can I Close All Apps at Once on My iPad?

Unfortunately, iPadOS does not offer a built-in feature to close all apps with a single action. You must close each app individually through the App Switcher.

7. What Happens if I Run Out of Memory on My iPad?

If your iPad runs out of memory, iPadOS will automatically close background apps to free up resources. You might experience slower performance or apps unexpectedly quitting.

8. Is There a Way to See Which Apps Are Using the Most Battery?

Yes! Go to Settings > Battery. Scroll down to see a list of apps and their battery usage percentage over the last 24 hours or the last 10 days.

9. How Can I Prevent Apps From Running in the Background?

Some apps allow you to restrict background activity within their settings. Also, you can disable Background App Refresh globally by going to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and toggling it off or selectively disabling it for specific apps.

10. Can I Close Apps From the Control Center?

No, you cannot close apps directly from the Control Center. You must use the App Switcher.

11. What Should I Do if an App Is Frozen and Won’t Close?

If an app is completely frozen, you may need to perform a force restart of your iPad. The method varies depending on your iPad model, but generally involves pressing and holding the power button and either the volume up or down button (on models without a Home button) or the power button and the Home button (on models with a Home button) until the Apple logo appears.

12. Do Accessibility Settings Affect How I Close Apps?

Certain accessibility settings, like AssistiveTouch, can impact how gestures are recognized. If you’re having trouble with gestures, check your accessibility settings in Settings > Accessibility to ensure they’re configured correctly for your needs.

By understanding these techniques and tips, you’ll be well-equipped to efficiently manage apps and screens on your iPad, optimizing performance and battery life. Happy multitasking!