Got an iPhone or iPad, but you’re missing that handy home button to close your apps? No worries, you can still shut them down with a few simple gestures. In this article, we’re going to walk you through how to close apps without a home button, so you can keep your device running smoothly.
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Close Apps Without Home Button
Before we jump into the steps, let’s understand what we’re trying to achieve here. Closing apps on devices without a home button is all about using gestures. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be swiping away apps like a pro!
Step 1: Swipe Up from the Bottom of the Screen
Start by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and pausing in the middle until you see the app switcher.
In this step, you’re essentially activating the app switcher, which is where you can see all the apps currently running on your device. Make sure not to swipe too quickly, or you might miss the app switcher and end up back on the home screen.
Step 2: Swipe Left or Right to Find the App You Want to Close
Once in the app switcher, swipe left or right until you find the app you want to close.
You’ll see all the apps displayed as cards. You can swipe through them at your own pace to find the one you’re looking to shut down.
Step 3: Swipe Up on the App’s Preview to Close It
Now simply swipe up on the app’s preview to close it.
This gesture removes the app from the app switcher and effectively closes it. Keep in mind that some apps might take a second to disappear after you swipe them away.
After completing these steps, the app you’ve selected will no longer be running in the background. This can help free up memory and potentially save battery life, especially if the app was using a lot of resources.
Tips for Closing Apps Without Home Button
- Practice the gestures until they become second nature.
- Don’t worry about closing all your apps; iOS is designed to manage them efficiently.
- If an app is frozen, you might need to force-close it by holding down the preview card a bit longer.
- Remember that closing apps frequently can actually use more battery, as it takes more power to relaunch apps.
- Use the app switcher to quickly switch between recently used apps without closing them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I close multiple apps at once without a home button?
You can close multiple apps by using multiple fingers to swipe up on the app previews in the app switcher.
Does closing apps improve battery life?
Not necessarily. iOS manages apps efficiently, and closing and reopening apps can sometimes use more battery.
Will force-closing an app delete any data?
No, force-closing an app should not delete any data unless the app was in the middle of writing to disk.
Can I close apps without using the app switcher?
No, the app switcher is the only way to close apps without a home button on iOS devices.
What if the gestures aren’t working for me?
Make sure you’re swiping up from the very bottom of the screen, and that you’re pausing slightly in the middle of the screen to allow the app switcher to appear.
Summary
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle.
- Swipe left or right to find the app.
- Swipe up on the app’s preview to close it.
Conclusion
So there you have it, a simple guide on how to close apps without a home button on your iPhone or iPad. It’s all about that swipe up gesture – once you’ve got it down, it’s a breeze. Remember that while it can be tempting to close all your apps to try and save battery, iOS is pretty smart about managing them in the background. Only close apps that are misbehaving or if you really need to free up some memory.
As with any new skill, practice makes perfect. So, give it a go, and before you know it, you’ll be swiping away apps like a tech wizard. And next time you’re with a friend who’s struggling to close an app, you can step in and show off your new-found knowledge. Who needs a home button, anyway?
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.