Managing your iPhone 12’s open applications is a fundamental skill that ensures optimal performance and battery life. While the device is designed to handle background processes efficiently, knowing how to close apps on iPhone 12 helps free up memory and resolve minor glitches. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step walkthrough for users of all levels.
Understanding App States on iOS
Before learning the specific steps, it is important to understand how iOS manages applications. When you press the home button or swipe up, an app does not technically "close"; it moves to a suspended state in the background. The system automatically manages these background processes to conserve resources. However, manually closing apps can be necessary if an app is unresponsive or consuming excessive power.
Method 1: Using the App Switcher
The most common method to close apps on iPhone 12 involves accessing the App Switcher. This interface displays all recently used applications as cards that you can scroll through. Follow these steps to force quit an app using this feature.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Swipe up from the bottom edge of your screen and pause slightly in the middle of the display.
Lift your finger to reveal the App Switcher, where active apps appear as cards.
Locate the app you wish to close. You can swipe left or right to navigate through the stack.
Swipe the app card upward off the top edge of the screen to terminate the process.
Repeat the process for any additional apps you want to close.
Press the Home button or swipe up from the bottom to return to the home screen.
Method 2: Force Quitting a Frozen App
If an app becomes unresponsive and you cannot access the App Switcher normally, a force restart is the most effective solution. This action temporarily powers off the device and reloads the operating system, clearing any temporary errors affecting that specific app.
How to Force Restart iPhone 12
Once the device restarts, the app should no longer be frozen. This method is safe and does not result in data loss.
Managing Background App Refresh
To reduce the frequency of needing to close apps manually, you can adjust the Background App Refresh setting. This feature controls whether apps can update content while running in the background. By disabling it for specific apps, you can prevent unnecessary network usage and battery drain.
Adjusting the Settings
Open the Settings app on your home screen.
Tap Background App Refresh .
Choose Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi & Cellular Data depending on your preference.
Scroll through the list of apps and toggle off the switch for those you want to restrict.
