How to Close Open Apps on iPhone X

Closing open apps on an iPhone X is a common task that many users may need to do from time to time. Whether you want to free up memory, improve battery life, or simply declutter your app switcher, knowing how to close open apps can be helpful. In this blog post, we will explore various methods to close open apps on an iPhone X and discuss the pros and cons of each method.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

To close open apps on an iPhone X, you will need:
– An iPhone X (or any other iPhone running iOS 11 or later)
– Basic knowledge of the iPhone X user interface
– Some patience and persistence, as it may take a few tries to get the hang of it

What Requires Your Focus?

When closing open apps on an iPhone X, there are a few things that you need to pay attention to. First, you need to ensure that you are opening the app switcher correctly. The process of accessing the app switcher on iPhone X is different from previous iPhone models, so you need to be aware of the new gesture. Second, you need to be careful not to accidentally activate other gestures while trying to close apps, such as activating Siri or switching between apps. Finally, you should be mindful of any apps that you have open and want to keep running in the background, as closing them may interrupt any ongoing processes or tasks.

Method 1. How to Close Open Apps via App Switcher

To close open apps on an iPhone X via the app switcher, follow these steps:
1. Start by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle of the screen until you see the app switcher.
2. Swipe left or right to navigate through the open apps.
3. To close an app, swipe it up and off the top of the screen.
4. Continue swiping up and closing apps until you have closed all the apps you want to close.
5. Press the Home button once to exit the app switcher and return to the home screen.

Pros:
1. Easy and intuitive gesture to access the app switcher.
2. Allows for quick and efficient closing of multiple apps.
3. Provides a visual representation of all open apps, making it easy to identify and close specific apps.

Cons:
1. Closing apps one by one may be time-consuming if you have many open apps.
2. There is no option to close all open apps at once, requiring individual swipe-up gestures for each app.

Method 2. How to Close Open Apps via Settings

To close open apps on an iPhone X via the Settings app, follow these steps:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap on "General."
3. Tap on "Background App Refresh."
4. In the Background App Refresh settings, you will see a list of all the apps that have recently been running in the background.
5. Tap on the apps that you want to close and toggle off the switch next to each app to disable background refresh for those apps.
6. Once you have disabled background refresh for all the desired apps, press the Home button to exit the Settings app and return to the home screen.

Pros:
1. Allows for a more granular control over which apps are running in the background.
2. Can help save battery life by preventing unnecessary background processes.
3. Provides a centralized location to manage app background refresh settings.

Cons:
1. Does not immediately close open apps but rather prevents them from refreshing in the background.
2. Apps may still be open and running in the foreground if they were recently used.

Method 3. How to Close Open Apps via Force Quit

To close open apps on an iPhone X via force quit, follow these steps:
1. Start by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle of the screen until you see the app switcher.
2. Swipe left or right to navigate through the open apps.
3. Press and hold on an app card until you see a red minus (-) symbol appear on the top left corner of the app.
4. Tap on the red minus (-) symbol to force quit the app.
5. Continue swiping up, force quitting apps until you have closed all the apps you want to close.
6. Press the Home button once to exit the app switcher and return to the home screen.

Pros:
1. Provides a more forceful and immediate way to close open apps.
2. Can be useful for troubleshooting apps that are frozen or unresponsive.
3. Allows for a complete termination of an app’s background processes.

Cons:
1. Force quitting an app may interrupt ongoing tasks or processes.
2. Apps may take longer to open the next time you use them since they are completely closed and need to be reloaded.

Method 4. How to Close Open Apps via AssistiveTouch

To close open apps on an iPhone X via AssistiveTouch, follow these steps:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on "Accessibility."
3. Tap on "Touch."
4. Under the Physical & Motor section, tap on "AssistiveTouch."
5. Toggle on the switch next to "AssistiveTouch" to enable it.
6. An AssistiveTouch button will appear on your screen. Tap on it.
7. Tap on "Device."
8. Tap on "More."
9. Tap on "Multitasking."
10. You will now see a miniature version of the app switcher. Swipe left or right to navigate through the open apps.
11. Tap on the app that you want to close.
12. Tap on "Dismiss" to close the app.
13. Continue swiping and closing apps until you have closed all the apps you want to close.
14. Tap on the AssistiveTouch button again to hide it from the screen.

Pros:
1. Provides an alternative method for closing open apps, especially for users with limited dexterity or mobility.
2. Easy to access and use once AssistiveTouch is enabled.
3. Can be useful for users who prefer a more visual and touch-based approach to closing apps.

Cons:
1. Requires enabling and configuring AssistiveTouch, which may not be preferred by all users.
2. Adds an additional on-screen button that may be considered visually distracting.

Why Can’t I Close Open Apps?

Q1: Why can’t I close open apps on my iPhone X?
A1: There are several possible reasons why you may not be able to close open apps on your iPhone X. Some common reasons include:

1. App is frozen or unresponsive: If an app is not responding, you may not be able to close it using the usual methods. In such cases, you can try force quitting the app or restarting your iPhone.
2. App is essential for system functionality: Some apps, such as the Phone or Messages app, are essential for the system to function properly. These apps cannot be closed and will always remain open in the background.
3. App is currently performing a task: Certain apps, such as navigation or streaming apps, may continue running in the background even if they are not currently active on the screen. These apps may need to stay open to provide ongoing services or perform background tasks.

If you are unable to close an app for any of these reasons, it is generally recommended to leave it running in the background unless you are experiencing issues with performance or battery life.

Implications and Recommendations

When it comes to closing open apps on an iPhone X, there are a few implications to consider. Closing apps too frequently may hinder multitasking capabilities, as some apps need to remain open in the background to provide notifications or perform specific tasks. It is also worth noting that force quitting apps may have unintended side effects, such as interrupting ongoing processes or causing apps to take longer to open in the future.

With that in mind, here are some recommendations for managing open apps on an iPhone X:
1. Assess the necessity: Before closing an app, consider whether it is essential for system functionality or if it is actively causing issues with performance or battery life. If the app is not causing any problems, it is generally best to leave it running in the background.
2. Use the app switcher: The app switcher provides a convenient way to manage open apps and close them when necessary. Get familiar with the app switcher gesture and use it to quickly navigate through and close open apps.
3. Limit background processes: If you want to reduce the number of apps running in the background, consider adjusting the Background App Refresh settings in the Settings app. Disable background refresh for apps that you don’t need to constantly update in the background.
4. Restart your iPhone: If you are experiencing issues with app performance or responsiveness, a simple restart of your iPhone can often resolve the problem. This will close all open apps and clear any temporary system files that may be causing issues.

5 FAQs about Closing Open Apps on iPhone X

Q1: Can closing open apps improve battery life?
A: While closing open apps can potentially help improve battery life, the impact may be minimal. Modern smartphones are designed to manage background processes efficiently, and closing apps aggressively may not yield significant battery savings.

Q2: How many apps can I have open at once on my iPhone X?
A: The number of apps that can be open at once on an iPhone X depends on various factors, such as available memory and system resources. However, iOS is designed to manage apps in the background effectively, so there is no strict limit on the number of apps you can have open simultaneously.

Q3: Will force quitting an app delete my data?
A: Force quitting an app will not delete any data or settings associated with the app. It simply terminates the app’s background processes and removes it from memory. Your data and settings will be preserved when you reopen the app.

Q4: Why do some apps still appear in the app switcher after force quitting them?
A: Even after force quitting an app, it may still appear in the app switcher for a short time. This is because the app switcher shows recently used apps and may take a few moments to update and remove the app from the list.

Q5: Should I regularly close all open apps on my iPhone X?
A: Regularly closing all open apps on your iPhone X is not necessary for most users. iOS is designed to manage apps efficiently, and forcing apps to reload frequently may have unintended negative consequences, such as increased battery usage and slower app launch times.

Final Words

Closing open apps on an iPhone X can be a useful way to manage memory, battery life, and app clutter. By using the app switcher, adjusting background app refresh settings, force quitting apps, or using AssistiveTouch, you can effectively manage and close open apps on your iPhone X. However, it is important to remember that not all apps need to be closed, and force quitting apps should be done sparingly. Understanding the implications and recommendations of closing open apps can help you make informed decisions about managing your iPhone’s performance and battery life.