How To Turn Off Apps On An Iphone

Okay, let’s be real for a second. Your iPhone is basically a pocket-sized universe, and sometimes that universe gets a little… crowded. You’ve got apps running in the background, sipping your battery juice like they’re at an all-you-can-drink smoothie bar. It’s time to show them who’s boss.

The Big Myth: You Don’t Need to Close All Your Apps

First, a little bombshell: you probably don’t need to force-quit most apps. Apple’s iOS is really good at managing memory on its own. Think of it as a tidy robot butler, not a messy roommate.

Force-quitting apps can actually drain your battery more. Your phone has to reload the app from scratch next time, which is like waking up a grumpy bear from hibernation. So, resist that urge to swipe everything away!

When Should You Actually “Turn Off” an App?

There are a few legit reasons to give an app the boot. If an app is frozen, glitching, or playing dead, that’s your cue. Also, if an app is a notorious battery hog (looking at you, Facebook), closing it might buy you a few more minutes of TikTok doom-scrolling.

And yes, if you’re truly done with an app and want to save a tad of battery, go for it. Just don’t make it a nervous habit.

Method 1: The Classic Swipe-Up (For Face ID iPhones)

If you have an iPhone with Face ID (that’s the ones with the notch, like iPhone X and newer), here’s the dance. Start by swiping up from the very bottom of the screen and pause in the middle. Don’t flick like you’re brushing off a crumb—linger for a half-second.

You’ll see a gallery of all your recent apps, like a yearbook of your digital life. Now, swipe up on the app you want to close. It’ll fly away with a satisfying whoosh. You can also use two or three fingers to swipe multiple apps at once. Efficient, right?

Method 2: The Double-Click (For Home Button iPhones)

If you’re still rocking a Home button (like the iPhone SE or older models), you’re a legend. Just double-click the Home button. It’s the same button you use to go home, but twice, fast. The screen will slide up to show your app cards.

Now, swipe left or right to find the app you want to evict. Then, swipe up on that app’s card to send it packing. It’s like flicking a playing card off a table—satisfyingly final.

Method 3: The “Settings” Power Move (Turning Off Background Refresh)

Here’s a sneaky trick your friend probably hasn’t told you. Instead of closing apps, you can stop them from updating in the background. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. It’s like putting your apps in a quiet time-out corner.

You can turn it off entirely, or pick specific apps. For example, keep Instagram refreshing (so your feed is fresh) but turn off that random puzzle game you haven’t opened since 2019. This saves massive battery without closing anything.

The “Nuclear” Option: Force Restart

Sometimes, an app goes rogue. It freezes your whole phone, and swiping does nothing. Time for the secret handshake. For Face ID iPhones: press Volume Up, press Volume Down, then hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

For Home Button iPhones: hold both the Home and Side (or Top) buttons until the logo appears. This isn’t “closing” an app—it’s a full system reboot. Use it as a last resort, like calling your tech-savvy cousin.

Pro Tip: Don’t Overthink It

Here’s the truth: your iPhone is smarter than you think. It’s already freezing apps you’re not using. Unless you see lag or a battery crisis, just let apps be. Your phone will thank you with better performance.

Think of it this way: you don’t turn off the lights in every room of your house every time you leave. Your phone is the same—it’s energy-efficient by design. So relax, put your feet up, and let iOS do the heavy lifting.

When All Else Fails…

If you’re still worried about an app running wild, just delete and reinstall it. That’s the digital equivalent of a reset button. Hold the app icon until it wiggles (like it’s dancing to a hidden beat), tap the little minus sign, and confirm. Goodbye, drama.

You can always download it again from the App Store. Your data is usually saved in the cloud, so you won’t lose your high scores or that one photo of your cat wearing a hat.

The Uplifting Conclusion

So there you have it. You are now a certified, card-carrying App Closer Master. But more importantly, you’ve learned the secret: you don’t have to be the control freak of your phone. Let it breathe. Let it do its job.

Next time you see that app switcher, remember: you’re the driver, not the mechanic. Close a few if it makes you feel better, but then put your phone down, go outside, and blink in the sunlight. Your apps will be fine. They’re just pixels. And you? You’re a glorious, app-taming, battery-saving superstar. Now go live your best life—your iPhone has got your back.