iPhone Force-closing apps

[djr7572]

This has probably been discussed numerous times, but I'll ask anyway.

I've always been in the habit of using the app switcher to constantly swipe away/force-close apps that I'm not using (I know, this is probably really obnoxious to those who don't do this). What's the consensus on this compulsive habit? With the exception of apps like Maps and music apps (because they use data), once I open an app, should I just leave it open? I always thought it was a battery drain to leave apps that you're not using, run in the background. But it sounds like it's just the opposite - battery degradation over the long run. Is there more to it than that, or is this just a practice that's simply not necessary?

I'd actually like to stop force-quitting apps - especially if it's not necessary! But I wanted to get folks' personal take on it.

Thanks

 

[revmacian]

This has probably been discussed numerous times, but I'll ask anyway.

I've always been in the habit of using the app switcher to constantly swipe away/force-close apps that I'm not using (I know, this is probably really obnoxious to those who don't do this). What's the consensus on this compulsive habit? With the exception of apps like Maps and music apps (because they use data), once I open an app, should I just leave it open? I always thought it was a battery drain to leave apps that you're not using, run in the background. But it sounds like it's just the opposite - battery degradation over the long run. Is there more to it than that, or is this just a practice that's simply not necessary?

I'd actually like to stop force-quitting apps - especially if it's not necessary! But I wanted to get folks' personal take on it.

Thanks

Apps in the background are effectively “frozen” - they aren’t really doing anything. Force-closing an app causes it to launch “from scratch” the next time it runs - this can impact battery life. I’ve been on iPhones since 2012 and I have never had less than 24 hours battery life per charge, and I’ve never force-closed an app unless it was misbehaving.

From Apple:
”When your recently used apps appear, the apps aren’t open, but they're in standby mode to help you navigate and multitask. You should force an app to close only if it’s unresponsive.”

Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201330

 

[gwang73]

I used to force-close all my apps but stopped doing it around when iOS 11 rolled out and outside a rogue app every now and then, I don't notice any additional battery by leaving them open in the background. Facebook and Words with Friends may be my biggest offenders.

I still force-close apps that I don't use often but this is mostly to keep the app switch more organized. I also turn off background app refresh for most apps that I don't think needs it while keeping a few on so they update in the background, like Deliveries, Podcasts, Weather, 1BlockerX, Verizon Call Blocker, Notes and Healthmate.

Apple itself has stated that leaving apps in the background is better for battery than force-closing everything and so far, I believe them as long as the app behaves properly.

 

[djr7572]

Apps in the background are effectively “frozen” - they aren’t really doing anything. Force-closing an app causes it to launch “from scratch” the next time it runs - this can impact battery life. I’ve been on iPhones since 2012 and I have never had less than 24 hours battery life per charge, and I’ve never force-closed an app unless it was misbehaving.

From Apple:
”When your recently used apps appear, the apps aren’t open, but they're in standby mode to help you navigate and multitask. You should force an app to close only if it’s unresponsive.”

Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201330

And there it is! That's good enough for me and makes perfect sense.

Are data-using apps like maps & music using data if they're in standby mode/"frozen"? Or do they only start using data once the app is active/front and center?

 

[willmtaylor]

With the exception of a few apps, force closing and opening them fresh every time actually uses more battery than leaving them suspended in the background.

 

[gwang73]

Are data-using apps like maps & music using data if they're in standby mode/"frozen"? Or do they only start using data once the app is active/front and center?

Music will update playlists in the background in standby mode if you let it. There's separate settings for Music to let it refresh in the background, and you can control if you let it download music via Cellular data in the Music settings. My Apple Music playlists will update on their own. I have unlimited data so I don't really care and it's more convenient for me to let it auto update.

I don't think maps uses data in the background if you are not actively navigating.

 

[djr7572]

Music will update playlists in the background in standby mode if you let it. There's separate settings for Music to let it refresh in the background, and you can control if you let it download music via Cellular data in the Music settings. My Apple Music playlists will update on their own. I have unlimited data so I don't really care and it's more convenient for me to let it auto update.

I don't think maps uses data in the background if you are not actively navigating.

Great, thank you

 

[Michael Scrip]

With the exception of a few apps, force closing and opening them fresh every time actually uses more battery than leaving them suspended in the background.

True...

But if I open my weather app in the morning... why should it remain in my app-switcher for the rest of the day?

I close apps out of cleanliness...

Basically I don't want my app-switcher to be a list of every app I've ever opened...

It won't bother me to open my weather app next morning. And I'll be using its icon to open the app anyway... and not by scrolling though a long list of apps in the app-switcher.

 

[gsmornot]

The only way I use the app switcher anymore is to swipe along the bottom to flip between two apps. I dont close my apps via the switcher either unless they have an issue. I have in the past I guess but I just dont any longer.

 

[EM2013]

I always close apps like FB, Instagram, YouTube, those always tend to always run in the background even if you have background app refresh off.

Also location based apps.

 

[JRoDDz]

old habits die hard. I always compulsively close all my apps when not in use. Oh well. My battery seems fine. Last phone I had was the X and after 2 years battery was 95%.

 

[djr7572]

old habits die hard. I always compulsively close all my apps when not in use. Oh well. My battery seems fine. Last phone I had was the X and after 2 years battery was 95%.

Impressive. My X is a year and a half old and is down to 89%

 

[C DM]

I always close apps like FB, Instagram, YouTube, those always tend to always run in the background even if you have background app refresh off.

Also location based apps.

Background app refresh is just one aspect of being able to run or do something in the background, so even with that off apps still have abilities to run or do something in the background.

 

[bransoj]

Never force close apps unless they have broken for some reason or something is hogging location services and i cant figure out which app it is. Just dont see the need to do it and its not something that helps from a technical point of view. The only reason to do it is if you are bothered about keeping it tidy or alike.

 

[sigp6]

Just counted, I have 80 open in the background. No issues.

 

[MozMan68]

Just counted, I have 80 open in the background. No issues.

Do you use the app switcher then to go between apps? I can't imagine doing it with that many available.

I close mine just for the sake of cleanlines and may leave 3 or 4 open if I'm constantly switching between apps (mail, IG, SC, Maps)

 

[papbot]

I make it a habit to restart all of my devices once a week. Since iOS 13 maybe twice a week. But normally the only reason to force quit an app is if it is not functioning properly, again in iOS 13 that may need to be done a couple times a week. But normally not necessary.

 

[willmtaylor]

Just counted, I have 80 open in the background. No issues.

No, you don’t. You're simply looking at a list of your 80 most recently used apps.

 

[sigp6]

Do you use the app switcher then to go between apps? I can't imagine doing it with that many available.

I close mine just for the sake of cleanlines and may leave 3 or 4 open if I'm constantly switching between apps (mail, IG, SC, Maps)

Yes, exactly. The only time I close them is if something is hung up.

 

[revmacian]

Just counted, I have 80 open in the background. No issues.

No, what you have is a list of the last 80 apps you launched. Just because an app has its card listed in the app switcher doesn’t necessarily mean that app is running at all. You can kill an app from the app switcher, which will remove the app’s card, but the app switcher shouldn’t be taken to mean “these apps are currently running”. The system will close apps that haven’t been used in a while in order to free up needed resources. And that is the whole point.. let the system take care of the housekeeping.

I feel it’s also important to note the wording.. Apple calls it an “app switcher” instead of “task manager”.

 

[sigp6]

No, what you have is a list of the last 80 apps you launched. Just because an app has its card listed in the app switcher doesn’t necessarily mean that app is running at all. You can kill an app from the app switcher, which will remove the app’s card, but the app switcher shouldn’t be taken to mean “these apps are currently running”. The system will close apps that haven’t been used in a while in order to free up needed resources. And that is the whole point.. let the system take care of the housekeeping.

Thanks for the explanation, makes sense. It's worked flawlessly for me for several years now.

 

[CTHarrryH]

Other than battery life:
Do you folks think closing apps will make it harder or impossible for those that "steal" you data do that? Can data be collected by apps that aren't currently running but not force closed