iPhone Open Apps
iPhone Open Apps

Wondering whether you should be closing your iPhone apps? It’s a common question with a not-so-obvious answer: Closing apps on your iPhone is generally not recommended. It can have the opposite effect of what you intend, slowing down your phone and draining battery life.

Let’s dive into the heart of this debate and give you the insights you need to use your iPhone more efficiently.

Myths About Closing iPhone Apps

StatementMyth or FactExplanation
Closing apps running in the background speeds up iPhoneMythiOS manages background apps efficiently. Closing them frequently can actually slow down your phone and drain battery as it needs to re-launch them when needed.
Closing apps frees up RAMMythiOS automatically manages RAM and allocates it as needed. Closing apps doesn’t significantly impact available RAM.
Closing apps prevents them from draining batteryMythSuspended apps in the background use minimal battery. Frequently closing and reopening them consumes more battery than leaving them suspended.

Exceptions:

  • Force closing a frozen or unresponsive app: If an app is malfunctioning, you may need to force close it to regain control.
  • Closing an app you’re no longer using and don’t plan to use again soon: This can help prevent accidental usage and data consumption, but the battery impact is minimal.

Best Practices for Battery Life:

  • Adjust screen brightness: This is one of the biggest factors affecting battery life.
  • Enable Low Power Mode: This reduces background activity and conserves battery.
  • Close unused location services and Bluetooth: These features can drain battery when not in use.
  • Update to the latest iOS version: Updates often include bug fixes and battery optimizations.
  • Monitor battery usage: Check which apps are consuming the most battery and adjust usage accordingly.

Understanding iOS App Management

First off, it’s crucial to understand how iOS, the operating system that powers iPhones, handles apps. Unlike what many think, apps you’re not actively using aren’t draining your battery or consuming significant resources. They’re essentially frozen, in a state that requires very little power. This system design means that frequently closing apps doesn’t save battery life; in fact, it could do the opposite.

The Myth of Closing Apps for Battery Life

The belief that closing apps improves battery life stems from a misunderstanding of how iOS works. When you swipe away an app, you’re removing it from the phone’s memory, sure. But when you reopen that app, your iPhone has to load it back into memory all over again, which can use more power than if you’d just left it alone.

When Should You Close iPhone Apps?

There are, however, exceptions to the rule. If an app is malfunctioning or if you’ve noticed it’s draining your battery unusually, then yes, swiping it away might be a good idea. Essentially, if an app isn’t behaving as it should, give it the boot.

User Experiences and Expert Opinions

Across various forums and discussions, from Reddit threads to Apple support documents, the consensus supports the idea that manually closing apps isn’t necessary or beneficial under normal circumstances. Users and experts alike share stories of how leaving apps open doesn’t negatively affect their device’s performance or battery life.

Force quit an app on iPhone
Force quit an app on iPhone

What Does Apple Say?

Apple’s own support documentation and statements from executives like Craig Federighi emphasize that iOS is designed to manage your apps efficiently without the need for you to intervene. The system prioritizes resources for what you’re doing right now, while apps in the background are paused.

Real-World Application

Practically speaking, you’re better off focusing on other ways to save battery life on your iPhone, such as adjusting screen brightness, turning off background app refresh for apps that don’t need it, or enabling Low Power Mode.

Summary of Facts

  • iOS efficiently manages apps in the background, freezing them to conserve battery.
  • Closing apps frequently can lead to increased power use due to the resources needed to reload apps into memory.
  • Force closing apps is recommended only if they’re not functioning correctly or affecting your device’s performance.

FAQ

Should I close apps on my iPhone to save battery life?

No, closing apps on your iPhone does not save battery life. iOS manages background apps efficiently to ensure minimal battery usage.

Can having many apps open in the background slow down my iPhone?

No, having apps open in the background does not slow down your iPhone. iOS freezes these apps, so they don’t use significant resources.

How can I improve my iPhone’s battery life without closing apps?

To improve battery life, adjust settings like screen brightness, use Low Power Mode, and limit background app refresh only to essential apps.

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