Is your shiny new iPhone 17, 17 Pro, or the sleek iPhone Air feeling a little slow? Maybe the battery seems to drain quicker than you’d like. Well, often, the culprit isn’t a problem with your fantastic new device, but simply too many apps running in the background, quietly doing their thing. The good news is, learning how to close these apps is super straightforward. You will just need to swipe up from the bottom of your screen to see all your open apps, then flick away the ones you no longer need. It is a quick trick that can really help your phone run more smoothly and conserve its battery life.
Tutorial – How to Close Apps on iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and iPhone Air
Alright, let’s get right into making your iPhone 17, 17 Pro, or iPhone Air feel snappy again. This step-by-step guide will walk you through exactly how to shut down those apps that are hanging around in the background, ensuring you have full control over your phone’s performance.
Step 1: Access the App Switcher
Swipe up from the very bottom of your iPhone screen, then pause your finger in the middle of the screen.
When you perform this gesture, your iPhone will bring up what Apple calls the App Switcher, sometimes also referred to as the multitasking view. Think of it like a deck of cards, where each card represents an app that is currently open or recently used on your device. This is where you can see all the applications you have launched, waiting for your attention.
Step 2: Find the App You Want to Close
Gently swipe left or right through the cards to find the specific app you wish to close.
As you navigate through these app cards, you will notice that each one shows a live preview of the app, giving you a quick peek at what it was doing last. Take your time to locate the app that you want to quit, perhaps one you finished using a while ago or one that you suspect is consuming extra resources.
Step 3: Close the App
Once you have found the app, swipe its card upwards off the top of the screen.
This upward flick is the magic move. It effectively dismisses the app from the background, telling your iPhone to stop running it. It is a simple, intuitive motion that instantly closes the selected application, freeing up resources.
Step 4: Repeat for Other Apps
Repeat steps 2 and 3 for any other apps you want to close.
You can close as many apps as you like using this method. There is no limit, so if you want to clear out your entire App Switcher, go right ahead. Just keep swiping and flicking until you are satisfied with your clean slate of background apps.
After you finish closing apps, you will notice the card for that app vanishes from the App Switcher. This means the app has been successfully shut down and is no longer actively running in the background. Your iPhone will then return to the home screen or the App Switcher, ready for your next command.
Tips for Closing Apps on iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and iPhone Air
- Do not obsess over it: While closing apps can help, modern iPhones are really good at managing memory. You do not need to close every single app after using it. Only close apps if you notice performance issues or battery drain.
- Identify problem apps: If a specific app consistently makes your phone slow or hot, it might be worth closing it regularly. Some apps, especially older ones or those with bugs, can be resource hogs.
- Restart your iPhone occasionally: Sometimes, a full restart is even more effective than closing apps. It clears out temporary files and gives your phone a completely fresh start. Think of it like hitting a reset button for everything.
- Know the difference between “closed” and “backgrounded”: When you just go back to the home screen, an app is “backgrounded,” meaning it is paused and ready to jump back quickly. Closing it fully removes it from memory.
- This does not save that much battery: While closing a truly misbehaving app can help battery, simply backgrounding an app uses very little power. Do not expect huge battery savings just from regularly clearing your App Switcher unless an app is genuinely stuck or faulty.
Frequently Asked Questions About Closing Apps on iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and iPhone Air
Will closing apps delete my data?
No, absolutely not. Closing an app from the App Switcher does not delete any of your personal data, saved games, or documents within that app. It simply stops the app from running in the background. The next time you open the app, it will pick up right where you left off, or sometimes just restart from its main screen, depending on how the app is designed.
Should I close apps regularly to save battery?
Not necessarily. Modern iOS is very efficient at managing background apps, and most apps use minimal battery when “backgrounded.” Constantly opening and closing apps can sometimes use more battery because the iPhone has to load the app from scratch each time, which requires more processing power. Only close apps if you notice a specific issue, like an app draining battery rapidly or freezing.
What if an app is frozen and won’t respond?
Closing a frozen app using the App Switcher is actually the best solution! If an app is stuck and you cannot interact with it, just follow the steps to bring up the App Switcher, find the frozen app’s card, and swipe it away. This will force the app to quit, and you can then reopen it, hopefully with it working properly again.
Does closing apps make my iPhone run faster?
Sometimes, yes. If you have many demanding apps running in the background, or if one app is misbehaving and consuming too many resources, closing them can definitely free up memory and processing power, making your iPhone feel snappier. However, if your iPhone is already running well, you might not notice a significant speed difference.
Is there a way to close all apps at once?
Unfortunately, no. Apple does not provide a one-button solution to close all apps simultaneously on your iPhone 17, 17 Pro, or iPhone Air. You need to swipe each app card individually. While it might seem like a chore if you have many apps open, it ensures you have control over which applications you are actively managing.
Summary of Closing Apps on iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and iPhone Air
- Swipe up from bottom of screen and pause to open App Switcher.
- Swipe left or right to find desired app.
- Flick app card upwards to close.
- Repeat for other apps as needed.
Conclusion
Mastering your iPhone 17, 17 Pro, or iPhone Air means knowing all its little tricks, and learning how to manage your open applications is certainly one of them. While Apple has engineered these devices to be incredibly smart about resource management, giving them a helping hand by occasionally closing apps can sometimes make a noticeable difference in performance and battery life. Think of it like tidying up your desk; even if you have a huge desk, a bit of organization makes everything feel smoother and more accessible.
We have walked through the simple, intuitive process: a quick swipe up to reveal your App Switcher, a gentle flick to send those apps packing. It is a fundamental skill that every iPhone owner should feel comfortable with, whether you are trying to troubleshoot a glitchy app, conserve a bit of battery on a long day, or just ensure your device is running at peak efficiency. Remember, you do not need to be constantly closing apps, but knowing how to do it effectively empowers you to take control when needed.
For those curious about delving deeper into iPhone optimization, consider exploring your Battery Usage settings to see which apps are consuming the most power. You might be surprised at what you find, and it can guide your app-closing decisions even further. Also, do not forget the power of a good old-fashioned restart for truly stubborn issues. Ultimately, understanding how to Close Apps on iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and iPhone Air is a small but mighty tool in your digital toolkit. Keep experimenting, keep learning, and enjoy the seamless experience your cutting-edge iPhone is designed to deliver. Your phone is a powerful companion, and by mastering these basic controls, you ensure it is always ready to perform at its best.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.