How to Force Close Background Apps on Your iPhone

Introduction

Hey there, readers!

Are you tired of your iPhone’s performance lagging or running out of storage space? One quick fix is to force close background apps that are draining resources without your knowledge. This simple technique can significantly improve your device’s speed and efficiency. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the various ways to force close background apps on your iPhone, ensuring a smooth and optimal user experience.

Section 1: Force Closing Apps via the App Switcher

Swiping Up

To force close an app using the App Switcher, follow these steps:

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open the App Switcher.
  2. Find the app you want to close and swipe up on its preview card.

Using the Force Touch Method

If your iPhone supports Force Touch, you can use this alternative method:

  1. Open the App Switcher as described above.
  2. Force touch (press firmly) on the app preview card.
  3. Tap the "X" that appears in the top-left corner.

Section 2: Force Closing Apps Using the Settings App

The Hard Way

For a detailed breakdown of apps using resources, consider using this method:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Go to "Battery" to see a list of apps and their battery usage.
  3. Tap on an app to see a chart of its activity.
  4. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and tap "Force Close."

The Quick Way

For a quicker approach, you can use the App Limit feature:

  1. Open the Settings app and go to "Screen Time."
  2. Select "App Limits."
  3. Tap on "Add Limit" and choose "All Apps & Categories."
  4. Set the time limit to "1 Minute."
  5. Tap on "Add" to create the limit.
  6. Now, open the app you want to force close. It will automatically close after one minute.

Section 3: Force Closing Apps with AssistiveTouch

Enabling AssistiveTouch

To use AssistiveTouch, you’ll first need to enable it:

  1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch.
  2. Toggle on "AssistiveTouch."

Using AssistiveTouch Menu

Once AssistiveTouch is enabled, you can access a menu that contains a shortcut to force close apps:

  1. Open the AssistiveTouch menu by tapping on the floating button on the screen.
  2. Tap on "Device."
  3. Tap on "Multitasking."
  4. Tap on the "X" next to the app you want to close.

Section 4: App Management Table

To provide a clear overview of the various methods discussed, here’s a table summarizing the key steps:

Method Steps
App Switcher (Swipe Up) Swipe up on the app preview card in the App Switcher.
App Switcher (Force Touch) Force touch on the app preview card in the App Switcher and tap the "X."
Settings App (Hard Way) Go to Settings > Battery > App’s Battery Usage > Force Close.
Settings App (Quick Way) Go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits > Add 1-Minute Limit.
AssistiveTouch Enable AssistiveTouch > Tap on AssistiveTouch Menu > Device > Multitasking > Tap "X."

Conclusion

Now that you know how to force close background apps on your iPhone, you have the power to improve its performance and optimize your user experience. Whether you prefer the App Switcher method, the Settings app, or AssistiveTouch, choose the technique that works best for you and keep your iPhone running smoothly.

To learn more about iPhone tips and tricks, check out our other articles:

FAQ about Force Closing Background Apps on iPhone

Why should I force close background apps?

To improve device performance, save battery life, and free up memory.

How do I force close background apps?

Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold, then swipe up on the app you want to close.

Do I need to force close all background apps?

No, only apps that you’re not using.

Does force closing apps affect notifications?

No, force closing apps won’t affect notifications.

Can I set apps to close automatically?

Yes, you can use the "Offload Unused Apps" feature in Settings to automatically offload apps you don’t use.

Is it safe to force close apps?

Yes, it’s safe to force close apps as long as they’re not essential system apps.

Why do some apps show a red minus sign when I try to force close them?

These are system apps that are essential for device function and cannot be force closed.

What happens if I force close an app that’s downloading or playing music?

The app will stop the download or music playback.

Is there a way to see how much memory background apps are using?

You can check the memory usage of background apps in Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

How often should I force close background apps?

Only force close apps when you notice a performance or battery issue.