If your iPhone feels sluggish, an app is frozen, or you just want to switch tasks cleanly, closing apps is one of the first things people try. It is also a common move when you are trying to fix a glitch, reduce distractions, or stop an app that seems to be running in the background. The good news is that closing apps on iPhone takes only a few seconds once you know the gesture for your model.
This guide shows you exactly how to close apps on iPhone, step by step. You will learn the main method for newer iPhones, what to do on models with a Home button, and a few useful edge cases. If you have ever wondered whether swiping away apps helps battery life, or how to force-close one that is stuck, you are in the right place. The process is quick, simple, and easy to repeat.
Summary
- On iPhones with Face ID, swipe up from the bottom, pause, then swipe the app card up to close it.
- On iPhones with a Home button, double-click the Home button, then swipe the app card up.
- If an app is frozen, force-closing it and reopening it can help.
- Closing apps does not usually log you out or delete data.
How to Close Apps on iPhone
The main method depends on whether your iPhone has Face ID or a Home button. The steps below will show you how to open the app switcher and close any app you no longer want running on screen.
Step 1: Open the app switcher
On iPhones with Face ID, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and pause in the middle. On iPhones with a Home button, double-click the Home button.
After this, you should see a row of app cards or windows on your screen. These are the apps currently open in the app switcher.
Step 2: Find the app you want to close
Swipe left or right through the app switcher until you see the app you want to close.
Each app appears as a preview card. If you have several apps open, you may need to scroll a bit to find the right one.
Step 3: Swipe the app card up to close it
Place your finger on the app card and swipe it straight up off the screen.
Once you do this, the app disappears from the app switcher. That means it has been closed from view and removed from the list of recently used apps.
Step 4: Return to the Home Screen or reopen another app
Tap an empty area, press the Home button if your iPhone has one, or swipe up to leave the app switcher.
You can now open another app normally. If the app you closed was stuck, reopen it to see if the issue is fixed.
Alternative Methods or Edge Cases
- If you want to close multiple apps at once, you can use more than one finger to swipe up several app cards at the same time on some iPhone models.
- If your app is not frozen but just sending too many notifications, you may not need to close it. Instead, go to Settings > Notifications and turn off alerts for that app.
- If the app keeps acting up after you close it, try restarting your iPhone. This often clears minor software glitches.
- If you are trying to free storage, closing the app will not delete its data. You may need to delete the app instead by pressing and holding the app icon, then tapping Remove App.
- If you are using an older iPhone with a physical Home button, the app switcher gesture is different, but the closing process is the same once the app cards appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does closing an app delete it?
No. Closing an app only removes it from the app switcher. The app is still installed on your iPhone.
Will closing apps save battery?
Usually not much. iPhone is designed to manage background apps efficiently, so closing them constantly is not a major battery saver.
How do I close an app that is frozen?
Open the app switcher, swipe the frozen app up to close it, then reopen it. If that does not help, restart your iPhone.
Do I need to close apps every day?
No. In most cases, iPhone handles apps well on its own. Close an app only when it is misbehaving, stuck, or you no longer want it open.
How do I close all apps at once?
iPhone does not offer a simple built-in button to close all apps at once. You need to swipe them away individually, or use a multi-finger gesture on some models.
What if I cannot get the app switcher to open?
Make sure you are using the right gesture for your iPhone model. Face ID models use a swipe-up and pause gesture, while Home button models use a double-click on the Home button.
Tips
- You do not need to close apps just because they are open in the app switcher. Most apps are paused by iPhone when not in use.
- If an app keeps crashing, closing it and reopening it is a good first fix.
- Closing an app does not usually sign you out of your account.
- If an app uses location, audio, or navigation in the background, it may behave differently than a normal app.
- If your iPhone has Face ID, practice the swipe-up gesture slowly at first. It gets easier with a little repetition.
Troubleshooting
- If swiping up does nothing, make sure you are in the app switcher first. You need to pause after swiping up from the bottom on Face ID models.
- If the app card does not close, try swiping upward more quickly and firmly. A slow swipe may just move the card instead of dismissing it.
- If the app keeps reopening with the same problem, restart your iPhone and check whether the app needs an update in the App Store.
- If the Home button does not work on an older iPhone, the button may be damaged or the device may need a restart. Try AssistiveTouch if available.
- If you are trying to stop notifications instead of closing the app, adjust settings in Settings > Notifications rather than closing the app.
- If the app still seems active after you close it, remember that some services, like music, maps, or downloads, can continue running through system features even when the app itself is closed.
Conclusion
Closing apps on iPhone is fast once you know the right gesture for your model. Whether you have a newer Face ID iPhone or an older Home button model, the process is the same: open the app switcher and swipe the app away.
Use it when an app freezes, when you want to switch tasks, or when you want a clean restart. In everyday use, though, your iPhone usually does a good job managing apps on its own.
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.