Turning off apps on your iPhone can mean a few different things, depending on what you're trying to achieve. Are you looking to completely uninstall an app, temporarily close it to free up resources, or stop it from running in the background? This guide covers all these scenarios, ensuring you can manage your iPhone apps effectively.
How to Force Quit an App (Close an App)
This method closes an app completely, freeing up RAM and potentially improving your iPhone's performance. It's different from simply minimizing an app; force-quitting ensures the app isn't actively using resources in the background.
For iPhones with a Home Button (iPhone 8 and earlier):
- Double-click the Home button. This will bring up the app switcher, showing all your recently used apps.
- Locate the app you want to close.
- Swipe up on the app's preview and hold until it disappears from the screen.
For iPhones without a Home Button (iPhone X and later):
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause slightly in the middle. This will bring up the app switcher.
- Locate the app you want to close.
- Swipe up on the app's preview and hold until it disappears from the screen.
How to Uninstall an App
This completely removes the app and its data from your iPhone. You can always reinstall it later from the App Store.
- Locate the App: Find the app you want to uninstall on your home screen.
- Long Press: Long-press (press and hold) the app icon.
- Wiggle Time: The icons will begin to wiggle, indicating "wiggle mode" is activated.
- Tap the 'X': You'll see a small "X" in the top-left corner of the app icon. Tap the "X".
- Confirm Deletion: Confirm that you want to delete the app.
How to Stop Apps from Running in the Background
Background App Refresh allows apps to update in the background, even when you're not actively using them. While this can be convenient, it can also drain your battery and use data. Here's how to manage it:
- Open Settings: Tap the Settings app (the grey icon with gears).
- General: Tap on "General."
- Background App Refresh: Tap on "Background App Refresh."
- Toggle Options: You can choose to turn off Background App Refresh entirely, or you can turn it off for specific apps. This is helpful if you only want to limit background activity for apps that are known battery hogs.
How to Disable Notifications from an App
If an app is constantly sending you notifications that you find disruptive, you can easily turn them off.
- Open Settings: Tap the Settings app.
- Notifications: Tap on "Notifications."
- Select the App: Choose the app you want to manage notifications for.
- Turn Off Notifications: Toggle off "Allow Notifications." You can also customize notification options like sounds and banners within this menu.
What happens when I force quit an app?
Force-quitting an app closes it completely, freeing up system resources and stopping it from running in the background. Any progress you haven't saved will be lost. However, it will not uninstall the app. The next time you open the app, it will generally start where you left off (assuming it’s designed to automatically save your progress).
How do I know which apps are using the most battery?
You can monitor which apps are consuming the most battery power in your iPhone's Settings app:
- Open Settings: Go to the Settings app.
- Battery: Tap on "Battery."
- Battery Usage: Review the list of apps and their battery usage percentage. This gives you insights into which apps are consuming the most power.
By understanding these different methods of managing your apps, you can optimize your iPhone's performance, conserve battery life, and improve your overall user experience. Remember, the best approach depends on your specific needs.
