Swipe up from the bottom to see and close your open apps
To close an app on iPhone, open the app switcher by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and pausing for a moment. You will see thumbnails of all the apps currently running in the background. Find the app you want to close, then swipe it upward off the screen. The app will shut down when ready.
On iPhone models with a home button (iPhone 8 and earlier), double-tap the home button instead to open the app switcher. The process is the same: swipe the app upward to close it.
Closing apps does not delete them from your phone — it only stops them from running in the background. You can reopen any closed app by tapping its icon on your home screen or in the App Library.
Key Takeaways
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold to open the app switcher, then swipe any app upward to close it.
- Closing an app stops it from using battery and memory, but does not remove it from your phone.
- Some apps are designed to run in the background and will restart automatically even after you close them.
- You do not need to close apps regularly — iOS manages background activity automatically, and closing apps does not significantly extend battery life.
- Force-closing an app (holding the app icon and selecting "Remove App") is different from closing it and should only be done if an app is frozen or crashing.
When closing an app actually matters
Most of the time, you do not need to close apps on iPhone. iOS is designed to manage background activity on its own, stopping apps from draining your battery when you are not using them. Closing apps manually makes almost no difference to battery life.
Close an app if it is frozen, crashing repeatedly, or behaving strangely. Closing and reopening it often fixes the problem. You might also close an app if you want to stop it from sending notifications or using location data in the background, though turning off those permissions in Settings is a more permanent solution.
The difference between closing and force-closing
Closing an app (swiping it away in the app switcher) is a normal shutdown. The app stops running, but it can restart if you open it again or if it has a background task scheduled.
Force-closing is different. Hold your finger on the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears, then tap "Remove App" and select "Remove from Home Screen" — or in Settings, go to General > iPhone Storage, find the app, and tap "Offload App." This removes the app from active use without deleting it. Force-close an app only if it is crashing repeatedly or completely unresponsive. Normal closing is sufficient for everyday use.
Apps that restart automatically after you close them
Some apps are designed to run continuously in the background, even after you close them. Maps, Music, and Health are examples — they may restart automatically because they have background tasks like location tracking or fitness monitoring.
If an app keeps restarting and you want to stop it, go to Settings, find the app name, and turn off "Background App Refresh." This prevents the app from running in the background without deleting it. You can still open the app manually whenever you want.
Closing apps versus clearing cache and data
Closing an app is not the same as clearing its cache or data. When you close an app, it stops running but keeps all its settings, login information, and saved files. The next time you open it, everything is exactly as you left it.
Clearing cache or data (done in Settings > General > iPhone Storage > [App Name] > Offload App or Delete App) removes temporary files and sometimes resets the app to its original state. Do this only if an app is taking up too much storage space or if you want to start fresh with a clean installation. Closing an app is much simpler and does not erase anything.
Why your iPhone slows down and when closing apps helps
If your iPhone feels slow, the problem is usually not too many open apps. It is more likely a full storage drive, too many background processes running at once, or an app that is crashing. Closing a few apps will not fix these issues.
Check your storage by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. If you are using more than 90 percent of your available space, delete files, photos, or apps you do not use. If a specific app is crashing or freezing, close it and reopen it. If your phone is slow overall, restart it by holding the power button and swiping to power off, then turning it back on after a few seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does closing apps save battery on iPhone?
Not significantly. iOS automatically stops apps from draining battery when you are not using them. Closing apps manually makes almost no measurable difference to how long your battery lasts. If your battery is draining quickly, the problem is usually a specific app using too much power, not the number of open apps.
What happens if I close an app I need?
Nothing bad. You can reopen it when ready by tapping its icon. Closing an app does not delete it or erase your data. All your settings, messages, and saved information stay on your phone. The app will be exactly as you left it when you open it again.
Can I close multiple apps at once?
Yes. Open the app switcher by swiping up from the bottom, then use two fingers to swipe up on multiple apps at the same time. You can also close them one at a time by swiping each one upward individually.
Why does an app keep restarting after I close it?
The app is designed to run in the background. Go to Settings, find the app name, and turn off "Background App Refresh." This stops it from restarting automatically. You can still open the app manually whenever you want.
Is it bad to leave apps open in the background?
No. iOS is designed to manage background apps efficiently. Leaving them open does not harm your phone or significantly drain your battery. You only need to close an app if it is crashing, using too much data, or behaving strangely.