How to Close iPad Windows: A Comprehensive Guide from an iPad Pro

Closing windows on an iPad, while seemingly simple, has nuances depending on your iPad model, iPadOS version, and the app you’re using. Fundamentally, there are a few key methods: swiping up from the bottom of the screen (or pressing the Home button on older models) to access the App Switcher and then swiping up on the app preview to close it, using the multitasking controls (three dots at the top) to close Split View or Slide Over apps, or force quitting unresponsive apps via the App Switcher. Now, let’s dive deeper and address some frequently asked questions about managing your iPad windows like a true power user.

Understanding iPad Window Management

iPadOS has evolved significantly, bringing desktop-class multitasking features to the iPad. This means understanding window management is crucial for efficient workflow. Closing windows properly not only frees up system resources but also prevents apps from unnecessarily draining your battery. Knowing the various methods and troubleshooting techniques will empower you to manage your iPad experience like a pro.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are twelve frequently asked questions about closing iPad windows, designed to give you the edge:

1. How do I close apps in the App Switcher?

The App Switcher is your command center for managing open apps. To access it, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold briefly (or double-press the Home button on iPads with a physical Home button). This will display all your recently used apps in a card-like layout. To close an app, simply swipe upwards on its preview. The app will disappear, effectively closing it. Remember, this closes the app; it doesn’t uninstall it.

2. What’s the difference between closing an app and force quitting it?

Closing an app using the App Switcher allows the app to save its current state and shut down gracefully. However, sometimes an app becomes unresponsive or “frozen”. In these cases, you might need to force quit it. The process is the same – access the App Switcher and swipe up on the app’s preview – but force quitting doesn’t guarantee a graceful shutdown. It essentially terminates the app process, potentially leading to lost unsaved data. Only force quit an app when it’s truly unresponsive.

3. How do I close Split View apps?

Split View allows you to run two apps side-by-side. Closing Split View requires a slightly different approach. At the top of each app window, you’ll see three small dots. Tap these dots on the app you want to close. A menu will appear. Select the “Close” option (it may appear as a ‘full screen’ icon that expands the remaining app) to remove that app from Split View, allowing the remaining app to take up the full screen.

4. How do I close Slide Over apps?

Slide Over is another multitasking feature that allows an app to float over your main app in a smaller window. To close a Slide Over app, tap the three dots at the top of the Slide Over window and then tap the “Close” option (again, this might manifest as an icon representing full screen takeover by the underlying app). Alternatively, you can swipe the Slide Over app to the right edge of the screen to hide it. It will remain accessible with a simple swipe from the right edge until you completely close it.

5. How do I close all open apps at once?

Unfortunately, iPadOS doesn’t offer a built-in “close all apps” button. Apple designed the system to manage app memory efficiently, suggesting that leaving apps in the background generally doesn’t significantly impact performance or battery life. However, if you absolutely want to close multiple apps, you’ll have to swipe up on each one individually in the App Switcher. It’s a bit tedious, but it’s the only way.

6. Does closing apps save battery life?

This is a complex question. In older versions of iOS and iPadOS, frequently closing apps was believed to improve battery life. However, modern operating systems are much better at managing background processes. Constantly closing and reopening apps can actually drain more battery because the system has to reload the app from scratch each time. The best approach is to let iPadOS manage background app refresh automatically. Only close apps that are actively misbehaving or draining the battery excessively.

7. Why can’t I close a specific app?

If you’re having trouble closing an app, it could be due to several reasons:

• The app is frozen: Try force quitting it via the App Switcher.
• The app is running a critical background process: Some apps, like music players or download managers, may resist closing completely if they are actively performing a task. Wait for the task to finish, or try force quitting.
• There’s a system glitch: Restarting your iPad can often resolve temporary software glitches that prevent apps from closing.

8. How do I restart my iPad?

Restarting your iPad is a fundamental troubleshooting step. The method varies slightly depending on your iPad model:

• iPads with Face ID: Press and hold either volume button and the top button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your device. After it shuts down, press and hold the top button again until you see the Apple logo.
• iPads with a Home button: Press and hold the top button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your device. After it shuts down, press and hold the top button again until you see the Apple logo.

9. What is “Background App Refresh” and how does it affect closing apps?

Background App Refresh allows apps to update their content in the background, even when you’re not actively using them. This can be useful for apps like email or news readers. However, it can also contribute to battery drain. You can manage Background App Refresh in Settings > General > Background App Refresh. You can disable it completely, enable it only for specific apps, or allow it only when connected to Wi-Fi. Disabling Background App Refresh will effectively prevent apps from actively running in the background, making them less likely to impact battery life when closed.

10. How do I prevent apps from reopening automatically?

iPadOS is designed to restore your previous app state, which can sometimes lead to apps reopening automatically after a restart. There’s no global setting to prevent this entirely. However, closing apps via the App Switcher before turning off your iPad makes it less likely that they will automatically relaunch upon restart. Also, check if the apps are set to automatically start at login.

11. Is there a difference in how I close apps on different iPad models?

The fundamental method for closing apps (using the App Switcher) remains consistent across all iPad models. The primary difference lies in accessing the App Switcher. iPads with a Home button require a double-press, while newer models with Face ID use a swipe-up gesture. The Split View and Slide Over controls are consistent across all iPadOS versions that support those features.

12. My iPad is frozen and I can’t even access the App Switcher. What do I do?

If your iPad is completely frozen and unresponsive, you may need to perform a force restart. This is different from a regular restart and forces the device to reboot. The method varies slightly depending on your iPad model:

• iPads with Face ID: Press and quickly release the volume up button, press and quickly release the volume down button, then press and hold the top button. Keep holding the top button until the device restarts.
• iPads with a Home button: Press and hold both the top (or side) button and the Home button at the same time. Keep holding them until you see the Apple logo.

This will force the iPad to restart, hopefully resolving the freeze and allowing you to manage your apps normally again.

By mastering these techniques and understanding the nuances of iPadOS window management, you’ll be well-equipped to optimize your iPad’s performance, conserve battery life, and navigate the multitasking features with confidence. You’re now well on your way to iPad Pro mastery.