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How to Force Close Apps on iPhone in 2025 – The Complete Guide by Technewztop

Force Close Apps on iPhone: With every new iPhone release, Apple continues to redefine mobile technology, offering enhanced performance, intuitive interfaces, and cutting-edge features. However, even the most advanced devices can face occasional hiccups. One common issue faced by iPhone users is dealing with unresponsive or frozen apps. In such moments, knowing how to force close apps on the iPhone becomes crucial.

In this comprehensive guide, we at Technewztop will walk you through various methods to force close apps on all iPhone models—whether you have a newer device without a home button or an older model with one. You’ll also find tips to optimize performance and ensure your device runs efficiently in 2025 and beyond.

Understanding App Management on iPhone in 2025

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Before diving into the actual steps of how to force close apps on iPhone, it’s essential to understand how iOS manages applications. Unlike Android, iOS is designed to efficiently suspend background apps to preserve battery and processing power. This means most apps aren’t actively running when you switch away from them.

However, in situations where an app freezes, crashes, or misbehaves, manually closing it can help restore normal function. That’s where force closing becomes useful—and sometimes necessary.

How to Force Close Apps on iPhone Without a Home Button

If you’re using an iPhone X, XR, XS, 11, 12, 13, 14, or the latest iPhone 15 series, your phone does not feature a physical home button. Instead, it relies on gesture-based navigation. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to force close apps on iPhone models that use gestures.

Step-by-Step Guide for Newer iPhones

1. Open the App Switcher:

Start by swiping up from the bottom edge of your screen.
Pause briefly when your finger reaches the middle of the screen.
The App Switcher will now appear, displaying all your recently used apps.

2. Locate the App You Want to Close:

Swipe left or right within the App Switcher to navigate through open apps.
Look for the app that is lagging or frozen.

3. Swipe Up to Close:

Once you’ve identified the problematic app, swipe up on its preview card.
The app will disappear from the screen, confirming that it’s been closed.

4. Repeat for Other Apps:

iOS does not support bulk closing of apps.
You must manually close each app if multiple are unresponsive.

This method is quick and efficient, ensuring your iPhone continues operating smoothly even when apps misbehave.

How to Force Close Apps on iPhone With a Home Button

If you’re using older iPhone models such as the iPhone 6, 7, 8, or the iPhone SE, which still have a physical home button, the process differs slightly but remains equally simple.

Step-by-Step Guide for Home Button iPhones

1. Double-Click the Home Button:

Press the home button twice quickly.
This opens the App Switcher, revealing all open apps in card format.

2. Scroll Through Open Apps:

Swipe left or right to locate the frozen or malfunctioning app.

3. Swipe Up to Close the App:

Once found, swipe up on the app’s preview card to remove it from the list.

4. Repeat as Needed:

If multiple apps are acting up, repeat the process for each.

This tactile method is preferred by many users who appreciate the physical interaction a home button offers.

When Should You Force Close Apps?

While iOS does an excellent job managing background processes, there are certain scenarios where knowing how to force close apps on iPhone is highly beneficial. Let’s explore some of the most common cases.

1. Dealing with Unresponsive or Frozen Apps

Apps can occasionally freeze due to bugs, memory leaks, or excessive data processing. When this happens, forcing them to close allows the system to restart them cleanly.

2. Frequent App Crashes

If an app keeps crashing every time you open it, force closing and restarting it can eliminate temporary glitches or data conflicts.

3. Battery Optimization

Sometimes, background apps consume more power than expected. Apps using location services, Bluetooth, or background updates can drain your battery quickly. Force closing such apps can help preserve battery life.

4. Security and Privacy

After using apps that deal with sensitive information—like banking or medical apps—it’s a good idea to force close them to ensure they’re no longer running in the background.

5. Improving System Performance

If your iPhone feels sluggish or apps are loading slowly, clearing some from memory by force closing can help reclaim resources.

Tips for Managing Apps Efficiently on iPhone

Aside from learning how to force close apps on iPhone, it’s also important to adopt good practices that reduce the need for force closing altogether.

Restart Your Device Regularly

Restarting your iPhone once a week helps clear temporary files and refresh system memory. This habit prevents many app-related issues before they occur.

Keep Apps Updated

Ensure your apps are always updated to the latest versions. Developers frequently release patches and improvements to enhance performance and fix bugs.

Use App Offloading

iOS features an “Offload Unused Apps” option in the Settings. This feature removes apps you rarely use but retains their data, so you can reinstall them without losing any information.

Monitor App Battery Usage

In Settings > Battery, you can monitor which apps consume the most energy. If a particular app is draining your battery, consider closing it manually or uninstalling it if it’s not essential.

Clear Cache from Heavy Apps

Apps like Safari, YouTube, or Instagram can accumulate large amounts of cached data. Regularly clearing cache from these apps can speed up your iPhone.

Common Myths About Force Closing Apps

Many iPhone users still believe that closing all apps improves battery life. However, Apple has repeatedly clarified that iOS is designed to manage background apps intelligently. Let’s debunk some myths:

Myth 1: Force closing saves battery:
Truth: Constantly closing and reopening apps can actually use more battery.
Myth 2: Apps always run in the background unless closed:
Truth: iOS suspends most apps when not in use unless they have background permissions.
Myth 3: You need to clear all apps daily:
Truth: iOS is optimized to keep your phone running smoothly without manual intervention.

What Happens After You Force Close an App?

After force closing an app, it is completely removed from active memory. When you open it again, it reloads from scratch, which might take slightly longer compared to switching between already-open apps. However, this also clears any temporary bugs or memory conflicts.

Apps that are force closed will stop:

Sending notifications
Performing background tasks
Accessing location or media in the background

This is why you should avoid frequently force closing apps unless it’s absolutely needed.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to force close apps on iPhone in 2025 is a vital skill for every iPhone user. While Apple’s operating system is built to handle most app-related processes efficiently, there are times when taking manual action is required. Whether you’re dealing with frozen apps, performance slowdowns, or privacy concerns, force closing gives you control.

With the guidance provided by Technewztop, you now have a clear understanding of when and how to force close apps based on your iPhone model. Remember, though, to use this tool judiciously. Overusing it can do more harm than good.

Stay tuned to Technewztop for more up-to-date tech guides, reviews, and tips to make the most of your digital lifestyle.