Why and when to close apps on your iPhone
Closing apps on iPhone stops them from running in the background and using your phone's memory and battery. You do not need to close apps constantly — iOS is designed to manage them automatically. But closing an app is useful when it is frozen, draining battery faster than normal, or behaving strangely.
The most common reason to close an app is when it stops responding to taps or gets stuck on a loading screen. Closing it and reopening it usually fixes the problem. You might also close an app if you notice your battery dropping quickly during a particular task, or if an app keeps crashing.
Closing an app is different from deleting it. Closing just stops it from running right now. Deleting removes it from your phone entirely. This guide covers closing only.
Key Takeaways
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, then swipe up on the app card to close it.
- On iPhone models with a home button, double-tap the home button instead to see running apps.
- Closing an app does not delete it or sign you out — it just stops it from running in the background.
- If an app freezes or crashes repeatedly, close it and reopen it before contacting support.
Closing an app on iPhone without a home button
Most current iPhones (iPhone X and newer) do not have a physical home button. To close an app on these models, swipe up from the very bottom of the screen. You will see a row of app cards showing all the apps currently running.
Find the app you want to close in this list. Press and hold the app card, or straightforward swipe up on it. The app will disappear from the list and close when ready. You can close multiple apps this way by swiping up on each one.
If you swipe up too slowly, you might just scroll through the list instead of closing an app. The motion should be quick and deliberate, starting from the bottom edge of the screen itself.
Closing an app on iPhone with a home button
Older iPhone models (iPhone 8 and earlier) have a physical home button at the bottom. To see running apps, double-tap the home button — tap it twice quickly without holding. You will see a row of app cards, just like on newer models.
Swipe left or right to find the app you want to close. Swipe up on that app card to close it. The app will disappear from the list when ready.
Do not press and hold the home button, as that opens Siri instead. The action you need is a quick double-tap.
What happens when you close an app
When you close an app, it stops running in the background. Any unsaved work in that app is usually lost, so close only when you are ready to stop using it. If the app has a save button or auto-save feature, your data is typically preserved.
Closing an app does not sign you out of your accounts. The next time you open it, you will usually still be logged in. It also does not delete the app from your phone — the app remains installed and ready to use.
Your phone's memory and battery will improve slightly after closing an app, especially if that app was running something in the background like music, location tracking, or constant notifications.
When closing an app does not fix the problem
If an app keeps freezing or crashing even after you close and reopen it, try restarting your iPhone. Hold the power button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Drag it to turn off your phone, wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on.
If the app still crashes after a restart, check the App Store to see if an update is available. Open the App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, scroll down to see pending updates, and tap Update next to the app's name. Outdated apps often have bugs that newer versions fix.
If updating does not help, you can delete and reinstall the app. Press and hold the app icon on your home screen, tap Remove App, then tap Delete App. Go to the App Store, search for the app by name, and tap the cloud icon to reinstall it.
Closing apps versus force-quitting them
Closing an app using the app switcher is the normal way to stop it. Force-quitting is a stronger action you use only when an app is completely frozen and will not close normally.
To force-quit an app, open the app switcher the same way you would to close an app normally. Find the frozen app, press and hold its card for a moment until a menu appears, then tap Force Quit. The app will close when ready even if it is not responding.
Force-quitting is safe and will not damage your phone or the app. Use it whenever an app is stuck and the normal close method does not work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does closing apps make my iPhone faster?
Closing apps frees up memory and battery, which can make your phone feel slightly more responsive. However, iOS manages background apps efficiently, so closing them constantly will not make a dramatic difference. Close apps mainly when they are frozen, draining battery noticeably, or behaving strangely.
Will closing an app delete my data?
Closing an app does not delete your data or sign you out. Any unsaved work within the app may be lost, but your account and saved files remain. The next time you open the app, you will usually be logged in and your data will be there.
What is the difference between closing and deleting an app?
Closing stops the app from running right now but leaves it installed on your phone. Deleting removes the app entirely. You can reinstall a deleted app from the App Store anytime. Close an app to stop it temporarily; delete it only if you no longer want it on your phone.
Can I close multiple apps at once?
You can close apps one at a time using the app switcher, but there is no built-in way to close all running apps simultaneously. Closing a few apps at once by swiping up on each card takes only a few seconds.
Why does my app keep crashing even after I close it?
Repeated crashes usually mean the app needs an update or has a bug. Check the App Store for updates first. If updating does not help, try restarting your iPhone. If the problem continues, delete and reinstall the app from the App Store.