Learn How to Close Open Apps on Your Device

Why Closing Apps Matters for Your Device's Performance

Your device—whether it's a phone, tablet, or computer—runs multiple programs at once, even when you're not actively using them. Each open app consumes memory, battery power, and processing resources. Think of it like having multiple conversations happening in a room simultaneously: the more people talking, the harder it is for anyone to be heard clearly. Similarly, the more apps running in the background, the slower your device becomes.

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According to research from app performance companies, devices with 10 or more apps running simultaneously experience a 30-40% slowdown in basic operations like opening new programs or responding to touches. This isn't because your device is broken—it's simply working harder than it needs to. When you close apps you're no longer using, you're freeing up that mental energy for the tasks that matter right now.

Battery drain is another critical reason to close unused apps. A study by phone manufacturers found that background apps can reduce battery life by up to 25% on smartphones, depending on what those apps are doing. Apps that track your location, sync data constantly, or refresh content in the background consume power even when you've moved on to something else. By closing them intentionally, you extend the time between charging sessions.

Security and privacy also benefit from closing apps. Open apps continue to collect data, track your activity, and in some cases, access your device's camera or microphone. Closing apps you're finished using reduces the window during which those programs can observe your behavior. It's a simple way to take control of your device rather than letting it run on autopilot.

Practical takeaway: Develop a habit of closing apps when you finish using them—treat it as part of wrapping up a task, just like closing a book when you're done reading.

How to Close Apps on iPhone and iPad Devices

Closing apps on Apple devices works differently depending on which version of iOS or iPadOS your device runs. Apple changed its closing mechanism with the iPhone X and later models, so the process you use depends on your specific device.

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For iPhone X models and newer (including iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and later), use the App Switcher feature. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause briefly—don't lift your finger. You'll see a grid of all currently open apps displayed as cards. Find the app you want to close, then swipe it upward. The app disappears from view, indicating it has been closed. You can close multiple apps in sequence using this method. Some users find it helpful to close apps in batches rather than one at a time—for example, closing all social media apps together, then all messaging apps, then all entertainment apps.

For iPhone 8 and earlier models, the process differs slightly. Double-tap the home button (the physical button at the bottom of the device) to open the App Switcher. Apps appear as cards stacked on top of each other. Swipe left and right to navigate through open apps, then swipe upward on any app card to close it. This method feels more deliberate because you're physically interacting with the home button—it's a clear signal that you're accessing the app switcher rather than just scrolling.

iPad users with newer models (iPad Air 4 and later, iPad Pro with Face ID, iPad mini 6 and later) follow the same swipe-up process as newer iPhones. Older iPad models use the double-tap home button method. The principle remains consistent: locate the app in the switcher view and swipe it away.

A common misconception exists about Force Closing versus regular closing. Force Closing (achieved by holding the app card for 2-3 seconds until options appear, then selecting "Remove App") is more forceful and should only be used if an app is frozen or malfunctioning. Regular closing through swiping is the standard approach for apps that are running normally.

Practical takeaway: Spend two minutes learning which method applies to your specific iPhone or iPad model, then practice it once—the motion becomes automatic within a few attempts.

Closing Apps on Android Phones and Tablets

Android devices offer multiple methods for closing apps, giving users more flexibility than iOS systems. The most common approach uses the Recent Apps button, which looks like two overlapping squares and typically appears at the bottom right of your screen (though its exact location varies by manufacturer).

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To close a single app using the Recent Apps view, tap that button to see all currently open applications displayed as cards. Swipe the unwanted app upward or to the side, depending on your device's design. The app closes immediately. You can repeat this for multiple apps. Many Android users keep this button visible on their home screen or lock screen for quick access.

An alternative method works through your device's Settings menu. Open Settings, navigate to Apps or Applications, and select the specific app you want to close. Tap the "Force Stop" button. This is similar to Force Closing on iPhones and works best for apps that are malfunctioning or frozen rather than apps you're simply finished using.

Some Android manufacturers customize this experience. Samsung devices, for example, may show a slightly different Recent Apps layout, but the swipe-to-close mechanism remains the same. Google Pixel phones use a minimalist design where swiping reveals all open apps in a clean, organized view. Other manufacturers like OnePlus or Motorola include additional options like "Clear All" buttons that close every open app simultaneously, useful when your device feels sluggish.

Android also includes a feature called App Management or App Usage that shows you which apps are currently running and how much resources they're consuming. This information helps you identify which apps deserve closing. For example, if you notice a video streaming app is using 40% of your device's memory even though you closed it in the app switcher, that suggests it's still running partially in the background—an opportunity to fully close it through the Settings menu.

Practical takeaway: Explore your specific Android device's Recent Apps view once to understand how it displays open applications, then make it part of your daily routine to swipe away apps you've finished using.

Managing Background Processes and Hidden Running Apps

Closing an app through the visual switcher isn't always the complete story. Many apps continue running partially in the background even after you've closed them from the switcher view. This happens because apps request permission to perform background tasks—refreshing email, updating weather information, playing music, or tracking fitness data. Understanding this distinction helps you take fuller control of your device.

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On iPhones, you can manage which apps are allowed to run in the background by going to Settings, then Background App Refresh. You'll see a list of every app with permission to refresh data while you're not actively using it. Toggle off Background App Refresh for apps you don't need to update constantly. For example, if you check a news app only once daily, there's no reason it should refresh every hour. Disabling background refresh for non-essential apps reduces battery drain and memory usage significantly—studies show users can extend battery life by 10-15% through this adjustment alone.

Android provides similar controls under Settings > Apps > Permissions or Settings > Battery, depending on your device. Look for options related to background activity or battery usage. You can restrict which apps are allowed to run in the background and specify that certain apps close when you're not using them. Android also shows you which apps are currently consuming the most battery, helping you identify the most resource-hungry culprits.

Some apps request permission to stay running because they provide genuinely useful services—a music player needs background permission to continue playing when you've switched to another app, for example. Other apps request this permission unnecessarily and should be restricted. The key is making intentional choices rather than accepting defaults. Each app's background permissions are independent decisions you control.

Location services represent a special case worth attention. Apps that track location consume disproportionate amounts of battery because GPS activation requires significant power. Many apps request location permission but only need it occasionally. Visit your device's location settings and review which apps have permission to access your location. Consider changing permissions to "Only While Using App" rather than "Always" for most applications.

Practical takeaway: Spend 15 minutes reviewing your device's background app permissions and disable background refresh for apps that don't genuinely need to update when you're not using them—the battery savings will be immediately noticeable.

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