Why closing apps matters for your iPad's performance
Closing apps you are not using frees up memory and battery life on your iPad. When an app stays open in the background, it continues to use power and processing resources even though you are not looking at it. Over time, too many open apps can slow down your device or cause apps to freeze when you switch between them.
Closing apps is different from deleting them. When you close an app, it stops running but remains installed on your iPad. You can open it again whenever you want. Deleting an app removes it entirely from your device.
Key Takeaways
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to see all your open apps, then swipe up on each one you want to close.
- You can close multiple apps at once by swiping up on each app while the app switcher is open.
- Closing apps does not delete them — they remain on your iPad and you can reopen them anytime.
- If an app is frozen or not responding, closing it and reopening it usually fixes the problem.
- You do not need to close every app constantly; closing apps that are misbehaving or draining battery is usually enough.
How to close apps using the app switcher
The fastest way to close apps is through the app switcher, which shows all your open apps at once. On most iPads, swipe up from the very bottom of the screen with one finger and hold for a moment. The app switcher will appear, showing thumbnail images of each open app stacked on top of each other.
Once the app switcher is open, swipe up on any app thumbnail to close it. The app will disappear from the switcher and stop running. You can close one app or swipe up on several apps in a row. When you are done, press the home button or swipe down to return to your home screen.
On older iPad models with a home button, the process is the same: swipe up from the bottom and hold, then swipe up on the apps you want to close.
Closing apps when they freeze or stop responding
If an app is frozen, not responding to taps, or showing a spinning loading wheel that will not stop, closing and reopening it usually solves the problem. Open the app switcher by swiping up from the bottom, find the frozen app, and swipe up on it to close it completely.
Wait a few seconds, then tap the app icon on your home screen to reopen it. The app will start fresh, and the freeze or error is usually gone. If the same app keeps freezing, it may have a bug that the developer needs to fix — check the App Store to see if an update is available.
Closing apps to save battery life
Some apps use more battery power than others, especially apps that use your location, play video, or connect to the internet constantly. If your iPad battery is draining faster than usual, closing apps you are not actively using can help.
You do not need to close every app constantly. Instead, close the apps you know are power-hungry — video streaming apps, maps, social media apps that refresh in the background, or games. After closing them, check whether your battery drains more slowly over the next hour or two.
What happens when you close an app
When you close an app, it stops running when ready. Any unsaved work in that app may be lost, depending on how the app is designed. Most modern apps save your work automatically, so closing them is usually safe — for example, closing an email app does not delete your emails, and closing a notes app does not erase your notes.
However, some apps do not save automatically. If you are working on something in a document editor or a creative app, save your work before closing the app. You can tell whether an app has unsaved work because it usually shows a warning when you try to close it.
Closing apps versus force-closing them
Closing an app through the app switcher is the normal, safe way to stop an app. Force-closing is different — it means shutting down an app that is completely frozen and will not respond to any taps or commands.
To force-close an app, open the app switcher and hold your finger on the frozen app for a moment until a menu appears. Tap "Remove App" or "Close" from the menu. Force-closing is harsher on the app and should only be used when normal closing does not work.
When you should and should not close apps
You should close apps if they are using too much battery, if they are frozen or misbehaving, or if you are done using them and want to free up memory. You do not need to close every app after each use — modern iPads manage memory well enough that leaving some apps open does not cause problems.
Closing apps constantly can actually slow down your iPad slightly, because the device has to reload each app from storage when you open it again. A good middle ground is to close apps that are misbehaving or draining battery, and leave others alone unless you notice your iPad is running slowly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does closing an app delete my data or files?
No. Closing an app stops it from running but does not delete any data stored in that app. Your photos, messages, notes, and other content remain on your iPad. When you reopen the app, everything will be there.
What if I cannot swipe up from the bottom to open the app switcher?
Make sure you are swiping from the very bottom edge of the screen, not from the middle. On some iPad models, you may need to swipe up and hold for a moment before the switcher appears. If your iPad has a home button, press it twice quickly instead to open the app switcher.
Will closing apps make my iPad faster?
Closing apps that are frozen or using a lot of battery can help. However, closing apps you are not using will not make a noticeable difference in speed for most people. If your iPad is slow, restarting the entire device usually helps more than closing individual apps.
Can I close multiple apps at the same time?
Yes. Open the app switcher, then swipe up on each app you want to close, one after another. You can close as many apps as you want in one session without returning to the home screen.
What is the difference between closing an app and swiping it away?
They are the same thing. Swiping up on an app in the app switcher closes it and removes it from the list of open apps. The terms are used interchangeably.