Managing your iPhone 11’s open apps is a fundamental skill that ensures the device runs smoothly and efficiently. While the iOS operating system is designed to handle background processes intelligently, leaving numerous applications active can slow down performance and reduce battery life. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough of how to close open apps on iPhone 11, covering both the traditional method and the newer gestures introduced with iOS 13.
Understanding Background Apps on iPhone 11
Before diving into the steps, it is important to understand how iOS manages background apps. When you press the home button or swipe up, an app does not actually "close"; it moves to a suspended state. In this state, the app remains open but uses minimal resources, allowing for quick resumption. However, in some cases, these apps can become unresponsive or consume more power than necessary, making manual intervention necessary.
Method 1: Using the App Switcher with a Swipe
The most common method to close open apps on iPhone 11 utilizes the vertical swipe gesture. This action brings up the App Switcher, a visual interface that allows you to see all currently active applications. From here, you can manually dismiss specific apps to force them to shut down completely.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Locate the Home Indicator at the bottom of your screen.
Swipe up vertically from the bottom edge of the display. Hold the swipe slightly to ensure the App Switcher appears.
You will see cards representing your recently used apps. To close an app, simply swipe up on the app card until it disappears from the screen.
Repeat this process for any other applications you wish to close.
When finished, press the Home Indicator or swipe up from the bottom to return to the home screen.
Method 2: Force Quitting via Settings
For users who prefer a menu-driven interface or have difficulty with gestures, the Settings app offers an alternative way to manage background processes. While this method does not provide a visual preview of open apps, it allows you to reset background app refresh settings, which can effectively stop apps from running in the background.
Adjusting Background Settings
To adjust these settings, navigate to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Here, you can choose to disable the feature entirely or select specific apps that are allowed to refresh in the background.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, the standard swipe-up method may not work as expected. If an app card does not move or the screen does not register the swipe, there are a few potential causes. A software glitch or a bug in the application itself might be preventing the app from closing properly.
When the App Card Won’t Move
If you find that an specific app card sticks to the screen and refuses to swipe away, try the following: Ensure your fingers are dry and clean, as moisture can interfere with touch sensitivity. Additionally, restart your phone using the standard method (pressing and holding the volume up, volume down, and side button) to clear the system cache.
