In the fast-paced digital world we live in, managing your smartphone efficiently is essential. Whether you’re aiming to free up memory for smoother performance or simply prefer a tidy home screen, knowing how to close apps on your iPhone 12 or newer models is a fundamental skill every user should possess. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the various methods to close apps effectively, as well as explore the underlying concepts behind app management on your iPhone. From understanding how iOS multitasking works to troubleshooting, we’ve got you covered.
Understanding iOS Multitasking
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty of closing apps, it’s crucial to comprehend how iOS multitasking operates. Apple’s operating system is designed with efficiency in mind. When you press the Home button or swipe up from the bottom of the screen, your recently used apps don’t truly “close”; they enter a suspended state. This means they’re not actively using system resources, but they remain ready to resume instantly when you select them again.
Why Close Apps?
The need to close apps often arises from:
- Performance: Sometimes, an app may not function smoothly, leading you to close it and restart.
- Battery Life: Closing energy-hungry apps can help conserve battery.
- Memory Management: Keeping numerous apps open can slow down your device’s performance, particularly if you’re working on resource-intensive tasks.
How to Close Apps on iPhone 12 and Newer Models
Let’s get into the practical steps. Whether you prefer using gestures or the physical buttons, here’s how to do it effectively.
Using Gestures
For iPhone 12 and newer models, Apple has eliminated the Home button, and you’ll need to rely solely on gestures. Here’s how to do that:
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Swipe Up from the Bottom: Start from the bottom edge of the screen and swipe up. If you’re in an app, you might need to pause in the middle of the screen until the App Switcher opens.
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Pause: Once you've swiped up, keep your finger on the screen briefly. The App Switcher will display all your recently used apps in a card format.
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Browse through Open Apps: Scroll horizontally through the app cards. You can see a preview of each app to help you determine which ones to close.
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Swipe Up to Close: To close an app, simply swipe its card upwards off the screen. This will remove it from the App Switcher and stop it from running in the background.
Using the App Switcher
In addition to gestures, you can make use of the App Switcher for a comprehensive view of your multitasking experience.
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Access App Switcher: Swipe up as described above to bring up the App Switcher.
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Identify the App to Close: Look through the list of apps running in the background.
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Swipe Away: As mentioned, swipe up on the app card to close it.
Quick Tip: Closing Multiple Apps
If you want to expedite the process and close multiple apps at once:
- Use multiple fingers to swipe up on several app cards simultaneously. This method is a real time-saver, especially if you have several apps open.
Why You Shouldn’t Overdo It
While it may seem like a good idea to frequently close apps to ensure your phone runs smoothly, it’s worth noting that iOS is designed to manage apps in the background efficiently. Closing apps obsessively can actually use more battery, as the operating system has to reload them each time you open them. In most cases, allowing apps to remain in a suspended state is sufficient for optimal performance.
When Should You Close Apps?
- App Malfunction: If an app is frozen or isn’t responding, closing it can be a quick fix.
- Increased Battery Usage: If you notice that battery life is draining significantly, check for apps that may be running unnecessarily.
- Resource-Intensive Apps: Apps that require significant resources, like games or video editing tools, might need closing once you finish using them.
Troubleshooting Tips
Sometimes, apps may behave unexpectedly, and knowing how to troubleshoot them can save you time and frustration.
App Freezing
If an app freezes and won’t respond to your input:
- Close the App: Follow the steps above to close it.
- Reopen the App: Launch the app again. This often resolves minor glitches.
iPhone Slow Performance
If your iPhone feels sluggish, try the following:
- Close Background Apps: Close any unnecessary background apps using the methods described.
- Restart Your iPhone: Sometimes, a simple restart can clear up performance issues.
- Check Storage: Ensure that your device has enough free storage by navigating to
Settings>General>iPhone Storage.
App Update
Regularly updating your apps can also help in maintaining performance:
- Open App Store: Go to the App Store.
- Updates Tab: Tap on the "Updates" tab at the bottom to see if any apps need updating.
- Update All: You can update all apps in one go, or selectively update those that are causing issues.
Conclusion
In summary, knowing how to close apps on your iPhone 12 and newer is an essential skill that enhances your overall user experience. Whether through gestures, the App Switcher, or understanding when it's necessary to close apps, being adept at managing your phone can lead to better performance and a more enjoyable experience. Always remember, while it’s useful to close apps that aren’t responding or when you need to save resources, iOS is built to handle multitasking efficiently without requiring constant manual intervention.
FAQs
1. Do I need to close apps on my iPhone regularly?
No, it's not necessary to close apps regularly since iOS manages background apps efficiently. However, closing apps can be helpful if they are malfunctioning.
2. How can I tell if an app is still running in the background?
You can check by accessing the App Switcher. If the app appears in the list, it is running in the background.
3. Will closing apps save battery life?
In some cases, closing resource-intensive apps can help save battery, but constantly reopening apps can drain more battery than leaving them suspended.
4. What should I do if an app is not closing?
Try restarting your iPhone. If that doesn’t work, you might want to uninstall and reinstall the app.
5. Can I close all apps at once?
While iOS doesn’t have a built-in feature to close all apps at once, you can quickly swipe up on multiple app cards in the App Switcher to close them simultaneously.
This detailed guide has provided you with the knowledge and tools needed to manage your iPhone’s apps effectively. With a little practice, you will find yourself navigating through your device with ease and confidence!