Managing your iPhone’s open applications is a fundamental skill that ensures smooth device performance and battery longevity. While the iPhone is designed to handle multiple apps running in the background, there are scenarios where manually closing an app becomes necessary. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough on how to close an app on iPhone, addressing various models and iOS versions.
Understanding Why You Need to Close an App
Contrary to popular belief, iPhones do not require frequent app closing to maintain speed. The system efficiently manages background processes with its frozen state, which preserves resources. However, forcing an app to close is beneficial if the application is unresponsive, consuming excessive battery, or experiencing glitches. Knowing how to close an app on iPhone is useful for troubleshooting these specific issues rather than engaging in routine maintenance.
Standard Method for iPhone X and Later Models
Using the Gesture Bar
For iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 series, the process utilizes the gesture-based navigation bar. To access the app switcher, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause slightly in the middle of the display. This action reveals your recently used applications as cards. To close an app, simply swipe upward on the specific app card you wish to remove, pushing it off the top of the screen.
Method for iPhone 8 and Earlier Models
Using the Home Button
If you are using an iPhone 8 or older model with a physical home button, the procedure differs slightly. Begin by double-clicking the home button, which will immediately bring up the app switcher screen. While an app is highlighted, hold down the home button until the app cards begin to jiggle. Tapping the minus (-) symbol located in the top left corner of an app card will force that application to close.
Dealing with Unresponsive Applications
When an app freezes and does not respond to standard inputs, a specific sequence is required to force it closed. For modern iPhones, you need to bring up the app switcher as usual. Instead of swiping, press and hold the app card until a menu appears. You will typically see an option that says "Close [App Name]"; tapping this will terminate the process immediately. This method is the go-to solution for resolving software hangs without needing to restart the entire device.
Managing Background App Refresh to Prevent Issues
To reduce the frequency of needing to close apps manually, consider adjusting the Background App Refresh settings. This feature allows apps to update content periodically, which can drain battery and cause overheating. By navigating to Settings > General > Background App Refresh, you can disable this feature entirely or limit it to Wi-Fi only. This proactive approach minimizes background clutter and helps your device run efficiently, potentially eliminating the need to learn how to close an app on iPhone frequently.
