How To Close Apps On IPhone: A Quick Guide

by Jhon Lennon 43 views

Hey guys! Ever wondered how to properly close apps on your iPhone? It's super simple, but knowing the right way can actually help your phone run smoother and save battery life. Let's dive into the different methods and why it's a good habit to get into.

Understanding Why You Should Close Apps

Let's talk about why you should even bother closing apps. You might be thinking, "Does it really make a difference?" Well, yes and no. Modern iPhones are pretty smart about managing apps in the background. They freeze them, so they don't hog resources. However, some apps can still use battery or data in the background, especially if they're set to refresh content or send notifications. Closing these apps can prevent unnecessary drain. Plus, if an app is acting buggy or frozen, force-quitting it is often the quickest way to get it working again.

Think of your iPhone's memory like a desk. When you have a bunch of apps open, it's like having papers scattered all over your desk. Your iPhone can quickly grab what it needs, but eventually, it can get cluttered and slow things down. Closing apps is like tidying up your desk, making it easier for your iPhone to find what it needs and run efficiently. It's not about obsessively closing every app after you use it, but more about managing the ones that might be causing issues or draining your battery unnecessarily. So, keep reading to learn how to do it the right way, and you'll be an iPhone app-closing pro in no time!

Method 1: Closing Apps on iPhones with a Home Button

For those of you rocking an iPhone with a physical Home button, the process is straightforward. This method applies to older iPhone models like the iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 8, and earlier. Here’s how you do it:

  1. Double-Press the Home Button: Quickly press the Home button twice. This will bring up the app switcher, displaying all the apps currently running in the background.
  2. Swipe to Find the App: Scroll through the app cards to find the app you want to close. Each card represents an open app.
  3. Swipe Up to Close: Once you find the app, simply swipe the card upwards and off the screen. This will force the app to close.
  4. Repeat as Needed: Repeat this process for any other apps you want to close. You can close multiple apps at once by swiping up on multiple cards simultaneously, though it might be a bit tricky to coordinate.

This method is super intuitive and easy to remember. It's a quick way to clear out apps that you're no longer using and free up some system resources. If you're used to this method, you might find the gesture-based approach on newer iPhones a bit different, but don't worry, we'll cover that next! Remember, closing apps this way doesn't uninstall them; it just closes them from running in the background.

Method 2: Closing Apps on iPhones Without a Home Button

For those with newer iPhones like the iPhone X, XS, XR, 11, 12, 13, 14, and beyond, which ditched the physical Home button in favor of gesture-based navigation, the process is a little different, but just as simple once you get the hang of it. Here's how to close apps on these models:

  1. Swipe Up from the Bottom: From the bottom edge of the screen, swipe up towards the middle and hold your finger there for a brief moment. This will bring up the app switcher, showing you all the apps currently running in the background. It might take a little practice to get the timing right, but you'll get there!
  2. Swipe to Find the App: Just like on the older models, scroll through the app cards to find the app you want to close. Each card represents an open app.
  3. Swipe Up to Close: Once you find the app you want to close, swipe the card upwards and off the screen. This will force the app to close.
  4. Repeat as Needed: Repeat this process for any other apps you want to close. You can close multiple apps at once by swiping up on multiple cards simultaneously. This can be a real time-saver when you have a lot of apps open.

The gesture-based method might feel a bit strange at first if you're used to the Home button, but it quickly becomes second nature. It's a sleek and efficient way to manage your open apps and keep your iPhone running smoothly. Remember, closing apps this way doesn't uninstall them; it just closes them from running in the background. So, practice the gesture a few times, and you'll be closing apps like a pro in no time!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, closing apps isn't as straightforward as it seems. You might encounter a few hiccups along the way. Let's troubleshoot some common issues:

  • App Won't Close: Occasionally, an app might freeze or become unresponsive, making it difficult to close. In this case, try force-quitting the app by repeating the closing process a few times. If that doesn't work, you might need to restart your iPhone. To do this, press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.
  • App Keeps Reopening: If an app keeps reopening after you've closed it, it might be due to a background refresh setting. To disable this, go to Settings > General \> Background App Refresh. You can either turn off Background App Refresh entirely or disable it for specific apps. This will prevent the app from automatically refreshing content in the background, which can sometimes cause it to reopen.
  • iPhone Still Feels Slow: If your iPhone still feels slow even after closing apps, there might be other factors at play. Check your storage space to make sure you're not running too low. Delete any unnecessary files or apps to free up space. You can also try clearing the cache and data for specific apps that are taking up a lot of storage. Additionally, make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS, as updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes.

By addressing these common issues, you can ensure that closing apps is an effective way to keep your iPhone running smoothly and efficiently. Don't be afraid to experiment with different solutions to find what works best for you.

Best Practices for Managing Apps

Alright, let's wrap things up with some best practices for managing your apps. These tips will help you keep your iPhone running smoothly and efficiently, without obsessively closing every app you use.

  • Don't Obsessively Close Apps: As we mentioned earlier, modern iPhones are pretty good at managing apps in the background. Closing every app after you use it isn't necessary and can actually drain your battery faster, as your iPhone has to reload the app each time you open it. Instead, focus on closing apps that are causing issues or that you know use a lot of battery in the background.
  • Manage Background App Refresh: As mentioned before, background app refresh allows apps to update their content even when you're not using them. This can be convenient, but it can also drain your battery. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and customize which apps are allowed to refresh in the background. Consider turning off background app refresh for apps that you don't need to update constantly.
  • Keep Your iOS Updated: Apple regularly releases iOS updates that include performance improvements, bug fixes, and security updates. Make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS to ensure optimal performance and security. You can check for updates by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
  • Regularly Restart Your iPhone: Restarting your iPhone can help clear out temporary files and processes that might be slowing it down. It's a good idea to restart your iPhone at least once a week to keep it running smoothly. To restart, press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.
  • Monitor Battery Usage: Keep an eye on your battery usage to identify apps that are draining your battery the most. Go to Settings > Battery to see a breakdown of battery usage by app. If you notice an app that's using a lot of battery, consider limiting its usage or turning off background app refresh for that app.

By following these best practices, you can keep your iPhone running smoothly and efficiently, without constantly worrying about closing apps. Remember, it's all about finding a balance that works for you and your usage habits.

So there you have it! Now you know how to close apps on your iPhone like a pro. Whether you're rocking an older model with a Home button or a newer one with gesture-based navigation, the process is simple and straightforward. Happy iPhone-ing!