Even though iPhones are known for their smooth performance and efficient multitasking, there are times when you may want to close apps (or “programs”) on your iPhone. Whether an app is frozen, acting up, draining your battery, or you simply want to tidy up what’s running in the background, knowing how to properly close apps can help keep your device in top shape.
This comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide will walk you through exactly how to close programs on an iPhone, explain when it’s necessary, and offer tips to boost performance without harming your phone’s functionality. Whether you’re using a newer model with Face ID or an older device with a Home button, we’ve got all the steps covered.
Understanding “Programs” on iPhone
First, let’s clear something up: on iPhones, we don’t typically call them “programs”—they’re more commonly referred to as apps. But just like computer programs, these apps can run in the background, use memory, and occasionally misbehave.
Apple has designed iOS to manage apps efficiently, meaning most apps are paused when not in use. However, it’s still helpful to know how to manually close them when needed.
When Should You Close Apps on iPhone?
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t always need to close apps. In fact, force-closing them too frequently can use more battery because reopening an app from scratch uses more resources than resuming a paused one.
You Should Close an App When:
- It’s frozen or unresponsive
- It’s draining battery quickly
- It’s crashing repeatedly
- You’ve finished using a resource-intensive app (e.g., a video editor or large game)
- You’re troubleshooting issues like lag or overheating
In these cases, manually closing the app can help restore performance.
Method 1: How to Close Apps on iPhones With Face ID (iPhone X and Later)
If your iPhone doesn’t have a Home button (iPhone X, XS, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or newer), here’s how to close apps:
Step-by-Step:
- Swipe Up from the Bottom of the Screen
- Start at the very bottom of the screen and swipe up while pausing in the middle.
- App Switcher Appears
- This will open the App Switcher, showing all the apps currently running in the background.
- Swipe Left or Right to Browse Apps
- You’ll see each app as a card. Swipe sideways to find the app you want to close.
- Swipe Up on the App You Want to Close
- Just flick the app card upward. This removes it from memory and stops it from running.
- Repeat for Any Other Apps
- You can close multiple apps in succession if needed.
Pro Tip:
You can use two or three fingers to swipe up multiple apps at once.
Method 2: How to Close Apps on iPhones With a Home Button (iPhone 8 and Earlier, iPhone SE)
If your iPhone has a physical Home button, the process is slightly different:
Step-by-Step:
- Double-Press the Home Button
- This opens the App Switcher with cards of all running apps.
- Swipe Left or Right
- Navigate through open apps to find the one you want to close.
- Swipe Up on the App Preview
- Flick it off the top of the screen to close the app.
- Repeat for Other Apps
- Continue until you’ve closed all the apps you want.
Do Apps Still Run in the Background After You Close Them?
Short Answer: Not Really.
When you close an app using the App Switcher, it stops running actively. However, some apps may still run background processes (like music or GPS) even after closing, depending on how they’re built.
You can view and control background activity:
- Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh
- Toggle off specific apps or all apps entirely
This reduces battery usage and keeps unnecessary background tasks at bay.
How iOS Handles App Memory Efficiently
Apple designed iOS to freeze and suspend apps that are not in use. This means:
- They don’t use CPU or battery while in the background (unless allowed).
- Reopening them is faster than launching from scratch.
- iOS automatically manages memory, removing older apps as needed.
So, there’s no need to close all apps regularly—only when troubleshooting or fixing specific issues.
Closing Apps: Benefits vs. Myths
Let’s clear up a few common myths and truths:
| Statement | True/False | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Closing apps saves battery | Sometimes | Only if the app is misbehaving or consuming resources |
| iOS automatically manages memory | True | iOS freezes inactive apps |
| Closing apps makes iPhone faster | Not always | May even slow things down if you constantly reopen apps |
| Force-closing apps is necessary | Rarely | Only do it for malfunctioning or battery-hogging apps |
| You should close all apps daily | False | Unnecessary unless you’re troubleshooting |
When Force-Closing Apps Helps
Here are situations where manually closing apps can make a real difference:
- App Freeze or Crash
- If an app isn’t responding, close and reopen it.
- Overheating
- Closing large apps like games or video apps can reduce device temperature.
- iPhone Slowing Down
- A quick cleanup of open apps may help in rare cases.
- Battery Draining Fast
- Background apps like navigation or video calls may be the culprit.
How to See Which Apps Use the Most Battery
If you’re wondering which apps might be affecting performance:
- Go to Settings > Battery
- Scroll down to Battery Usage by App
- Identify and close any high-drain apps
This lets you target only those apps that are causing issues, rather than closing everything.
What About Music, Maps, or Call Apps?
Certain apps continue working even if closed from the switcher:
- Music/Podcast apps may keep playing unless paused manually.
- Maps or navigation apps may continue using GPS.
- Phone apps remain active during calls.
To fully stop them:
- End the activity first (stop music, end navigation, or hang up).
- Then close the app from the App Switcher.
How to Prevent Apps From Refreshing in Background
Even if you close apps, they might refresh content when reopened unless disabled:
To Stop Background App Refresh:
- Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh
- Choose Off, or Wi-Fi only, or select individual apps
This minimizes data and battery use.
Tips for Managing iPhone Performance Without Closing Apps
- Restart iPhone Weekly
- A simple restart clears temporary memory.
- Keep iOS Updated
- Regular updates fix bugs that may affect app performance.
- Clear Safari Cache
- Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.
- Limit Widgets and Live Activities
- These use memory and can slow down the phone if overloaded.
Final Summary: How to Close iPhone Programs (Apps)
| iPhone Type | Steps |
|---|---|
| Face ID Models | Swipe up from bottom > pause in center > swipe up apps |
| Home Button Models | Double-press Home button > swipe up apps |
When to Close Apps:
- If frozen or unresponsive
- If draining battery
- If causing lag or overheating
- When troubleshooting
When NOT to Close Apps:
- Routine daily use
- To “save memory” unnecessarily
- If iOS is managing things well
Final Thoughts
Learning how to close programs on your iPhone is one of those small-but-useful tech skills that can help you solve problems quickly and maintain smooth performance. While modern iPhones are designed to manage apps in the background without user intervention, there are definitely moments when closing an app is the smartest move—especially when dealing with bugs, crashes, or resource-intensive software.
Use the steps in this guide to master app management like a pro, and remember: only close what needs to be closed. Smart iPhone use isn’t about constantly force-closing—it’s about knowing when and why to do it.
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