Why you should close apps running in the background

Background apps are programs still running even though you are not actively using them. They consume battery, slow down your device, and can use your data without you noticing. Some apps request permission to track your location, access your contacts, or monitor your activity even when closed — closing them stops that drain.

You do not need to close every app constantly. But closing apps you are not using right now is one of the fastest ways to improve device speed and battery life. It also reduces the number of programs that can access your personal information at any given moment.

Key Takeaways

  • Background apps consume battery and data even when you are not looking at them, and closing them improves device speed.
  • On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen or swipe down from the top-right corner, then swipe up on each app card to close it.
  • On Android, open Settings, go to Apps or process Manager, select an app, and tap Force Stop to close it completely.
  • On Windows, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc, find the app in the list, and click End Task.
  • On Mac, open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities, select the app, and click the X button to quit it.

How to close background apps on iPhone

On newer iPhones (iPhone X and later), swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher. You will see cards showing all your open apps. Swipe up on each app card you want to close. The app will disappear from the switcher and stop running.

On older iPhones (iPhone 8 and earlier), double-click the home button instead to open the app switcher, then swipe up on the app cards the same way.

You can also close apps from the Control Center. On iPhone X and later, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen. Long-press on an app icon, then tap Remove App or Close. This method works for apps that have Control Center widgets.

How to close background apps on Android

Open Settings and look for Apps, process Manager, or Running Apps — the exact name varies by phone brand. Tap the app you want to close, then tap Force Stop. The app will close when ready and stop using battery or data.

You can also close apps from the recent apps screen. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or tap the square icon on older phones) to see recently used apps. Swipe up on the app card to close it, or long-press the card and select Close or Remove.

Some Android phones have a Battery Saver or Adaptive Battery setting that automatically closes unused apps. You can turn this on in Settings > Battery to let your phone manage background apps for you.

How to close background apps on Windows

Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager directly. You will see a list of all running programs. Find the app you want to close, click it once to select it, then click End Task at the bottom right. The app will close when ready.

If Task Manager does not open, try right-clicking the taskbar at the bottom of your screen and selecting Task Manager from the menu. Then follow the same steps.

You can also close apps by right-clicking them in the taskbar and selecting Close Window. This method works for apps that are pinned or currently open.

How to close background apps on Mac

Open Finder and go to Applications > Utilities, then double-click Activity Monitor. You will see a list of all running programs. Find the app you want to close, click it once, then click the X button in the top-left corner of the Activity Monitor window. A dialog will ask if you want to quit the app — click Quit.

You can also close apps using the keyboard shortcut Command+Q while the app is active. This is the fastest method if you are already using the app.

Some Mac apps stay running even after you close their window. Activity Monitor shows you which ones are still consuming memory or CPU power in the background, so you can decide which ones to force quit.

Apps that should stay running in the background

Some apps need to run in the background to work properly. Email apps, messaging apps, and calendar apps should stay open so they can notify you of new messages or events. Security software, antivirus programs, and password managers also need to run continuously to protect your device.

Location services, weather apps, and fitness trackers may need background access to function. If you use these apps regularly, closing them will disable their features. Check your device settings to see which apps have permission to run in the background, and disable background access for apps you do not use.

How to prevent apps from running in the background

On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and toggle off the apps you do not want running in the background. This stops them from using data or battery when you are not using them, but they will not send you notifications.

On Android, go to Settings > Apps, select an app, tap Permissions, and toggle off Background. You can also go to Settings > Battery and disable background activity for specific apps in the Battery Saver settings.

On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > App Permissions > Background Apps and toggle off any app you do not want running in the background. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Login Items and remove apps you do not want to start automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing background apps damage my phone or computer?

No. Closing apps is safe and does not harm your device. Apps are designed to close and restart without losing data. If an app needs to stay running, it will restart automatically the next time you open it or when your device restarts.

Do I need to close apps every day?

You do not need to close apps constantly, but closing unused apps when your battery is low or your device is slow will help when ready. If you notice your phone or computer running slowly, closing background apps is one of the first things to try.

Why do some apps keep running even after I close them?

Some apps are designed to restart automatically or have background permissions enabled. Check your device settings to see which apps have permission to run in the background, and disable the ones you do not use regularly. You can also check if the app is set to start automatically when your device turns on.

Does closing apps save battery?

Yes. Background apps consume battery power even when you are not using them. Closing unused apps, especially ones that use location services or constantly sync data, can extend your battery life by several hours depending on which apps you close.

Can I close system apps on my phone?

On iPhone, you cannot force-close system apps like Settings or Phone. On Android, you can force-stop system apps, but it may cause your phone to behave unexpectedly. Only force-stop system apps if you are experiencing a specific problem, and restart your phone afterward.