Hey guys! Ever wondered how to properly close apps on your iPhone? Maybe your phone's running a bit slow, or an app is acting wonky. Closing apps can often be the magic fix! It's super simple, and I'm here to walk you through it. So, let's dive into the easy guide on how to shut down those apps on your iPhone.

Why Close Apps on Your iPhone?

Before we get into how to close apps, let's chat about why you might want to. Contrary to some beliefs, closing apps isn't always about saving battery life. Modern iPhones are pretty smart about managing apps in the background. However, there are a few good reasons to close an app:

• Freeing Up Resources: Sometimes, an app might be using a lot of your iPhone's memory or processing power, even when it's not actively in use. Closing it can free up these resources, potentially speeding up your phone.
• Fixing a Frozen or Misbehaving App: We've all been there – an app freezes, crashes, or just starts acting weird. Closing it and reopening it is often the first troubleshooting step.
• Preventing Background Activity: Some apps might continue to use data or location services in the background. If you're trying to conserve data or battery, closing these apps can help.
• Peace of Mind: Sometimes, you just want to make sure an app isn't running in the background, especially if it contains sensitive information.

Closing apps on your iPhone can be a helpful habit, especially when you notice performance issues or when an app is misbehaving. It's a quick and easy way to potentially improve your iPhone's performance and resolve minor issues.

How to Close Apps on iPhones with a Home Button

Got an iPhone with a Home Button? No sweat, closing apps is a breeze! This includes iPhones like the iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation), iPhone 8, and older models. 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.
2. Swipe to Find the App: The App Switcher displays all the apps that are currently open in the background. Swipe left or right to find the app you want to close.
3. Swipe Up to Close: Once you've found the app, simply swipe up on its preview card. This will close the app.
4. Repeat as Needed: Repeat steps 2 and 3 for any other apps you want to close.

And that's it! You've successfully closed apps on your iPhone with a Home button. Remember, you don't need to close every app every time you're done using it. But if you're experiencing issues or want to free up resources, this is a quick and effective method.

How to Close Apps on iPhones Without a Home Button

For those of you rocking a newer iPhone without a Home Button (like the iPhone X, XS, XR, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15), the process is a little different, but still super easy. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Swipe Up from the Bottom: Place your finger at the very bottom of the screen and swipe up towards the middle. As you swipe, pause briefly without lifting your finger. This will bring up the App Switcher.
2. Swipe to Find the App: Just like on iPhones with a Home button, the App Switcher shows you all your open apps. Swipe left or right to find the app you want to close.
3. Swipe Up to Close: Once you've located the app, swipe up on its preview card to close it. The app will disappear from the App Switcher.
4. Repeat for Other Apps: Continue swiping and closing apps as needed.

See? Simple as pie! Closing apps on iPhones without a Home button is just a matter of getting used to the swipe-up gesture. Once you've got it down, you'll be closing apps like a pro.

When Should You Force Quit an App?

Okay, so we've talked about closing apps through the App Switcher. But what about force quitting? Force quitting is like the nuclear option for apps. You should only use it when an app is completely unresponsive or causing serious problems.

How to Force Quit an App:

• On iPhones with a Home Button: Press and hold the Home button until the app closes.
• On iPhones Without a Home Button: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the App Switcher. Then, swipe up on the app's preview to close it.

When to Use Force Quit:

• The App is Frozen: If an app is completely frozen and won't respond to any input, force quitting is your best bet.
• The App is Crashing Repeatedly: If an app keeps crashing as soon as you open it, force quitting can help.
• The App is Causing System Issues: In rare cases, an app might be causing other problems on your iPhone, like freezing the entire device. Force quitting can resolve these issues.

Important Note: Force quitting an app can sometimes result in data loss if the app hasn't had a chance to save your progress. So, use it as a last resort.

Debunking the Battery Myth: Does Closing Apps Save Battery?

Let's tackle a common myth: Does closing apps really save battery life? The answer is a bit nuanced. Modern iPhones are designed to efficiently manage apps in the background. When you switch away from an app, it usually goes into a suspended state, meaning it's not actively using resources.

In most cases, closing apps unnecessarily can actually drain your battery. Here's why:

• Relaunching Apps Requires More Power: When you close an app and then reopen it later, your iPhone has to reload the entire app into memory. This requires more processing power and, therefore, more battery life than simply resuming a suspended app.
• iOS Manages Background Apps Efficiently: iOS is designed to intelligently manage background apps. It suspends apps that aren't in use and wakes them up only when necessary.

When Closing Apps Can Help Battery Life:

• Apps Using Location Services: If an app is constantly using location services in the background, closing it can help conserve battery life.
• Apps Playing Audio or Video: If an app is playing audio or video in the background, closing it will stop the playback and save battery.
• Misbehaving Apps: If an app is constantly crashing or using excessive resources in the background, closing it can improve battery life.

The Bottom Line: In general, you don't need to constantly close apps to save battery life. Let iOS manage your apps in the background. Only close apps when they're misbehaving or using excessive resources.

Tips for Managing Apps on Your iPhone

Okay, so now you know how to close apps, but let's talk about some general tips for managing apps on your iPhone to keep things running smoothly:

• Update Your Apps Regularly: App updates often include bug fixes, performance improvements, and security patches. Make sure you're keeping your apps up to date.
• Uninstall Unused Apps: If you have apps that you haven't used in months, consider uninstalling them. This will free up storage space and reduce clutter on your iPhone.
• Manage Background App Refresh: Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Here, you can control which apps are allowed to refresh in the background. Turn off Background App Refresh for apps that you don't need to update in the background.
• Check App Permissions: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security. Here, you can review the permissions that each app has. Make sure apps only have access to the information they need.
• Restart Your iPhone Regularly: Restarting your iPhone can help clear out temporary files and improve performance. Try restarting your iPhone once a week.

By following these tips, you can keep your iPhone running smoothly and efficiently.

Conclusion

So there you have it – everything you need to know about closing apps on your iPhone! Whether you're rocking an older model with a Home button or a shiny new iPhone without one, the process is straightforward. Remember, closing apps isn't always about saving battery life, but it can be helpful for freeing up resources, fixing misbehaving apps, and preventing background activity. And don't forget to keep your apps updated, uninstall unused ones, and manage your background app refresh settings. Happy iPhone-ing, guys!