Pandora keeps playing after you leave the app, which is great for listening in the background but annoying when you want the music to stop. On an iPhone 7, you can pause Pandora from the Lock Screen or Control Center, or close the app completely from the App Switcher. You can also set a sleep timer so Pandora stops on its own. This guide covers each option.
Quick Answer
Double-press the Home button to open the App Switcher, find the Pandora card, and swipe it up off the screen. Pandora closes and stops playing. To just pause, open Control Center and tap the pause button.
Method 1: Close Pandora with the App Switcher
- Double-press the Home button quickly. The App Switcher shows cards for recent apps.
- Swipe left or right to find Pandora.
- Swipe the Pandora card up and off the top of the screen.
On iPhones without a Home button (iPhone X and later), swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle to open the App Switcher, then swipe the card up.
Method 2: Pause Pandora Without Closing It
- Control Center: swipe up from the bottom of the screen (iPhone 7) and tap Pause on the music controls.
- Lock Screen: press the side button to wake the phone and tap Pause on the Now Playing controls.
- Headphones: press the play/pause button on wired EarPods or AirPods (double-tap or press the stem, depending on settings).
- In the app: open Pandora and tap the pause button on the Now Playing screen.
Method 3: Use Pandora’s Sleep Timer
- Open Pandora and go to your Profile (tap your profile icon).
- Tap the gear icon or Settings.
- Tap Sleep Timer and choose a duration (for example, 15, 30, or 60 minutes).
Pandora stops playing when the timer ends. The location of the sleep timer can change between app versions; you may also find it in the Now Playing screen’s menu.
Alternative: Use the iPhone’s Clock Timer
This works with any audio app:
- Open Clock and tap Timer.
- Set the duration and tap When Timer Ends.
- Scroll to the bottom, choose Stop Playing, and tap Set.
- Tap Start.
Should You Close Apps to Save Battery?
Usually not. iOS suspends most apps in the background automatically, and reopening a closed app can use more power than resuming it. Closing Pandora is worthwhile when it’s still playing audio or when the app is frozen.
Troubleshooting
- Pandora starts playing on its own: it may resume when headphones or Bluetooth connect. Check your car or speaker’s auto-play settings, and turn off Pandora > Settings > Advanced autoplay options if available.
- Pandora is frozen: close it from the App Switcher and reopen it. If it keeps happening, update the app or delete and reinstall it.
- Double-press doesn’t open the App Switcher: press faster, or check Settings > Accessibility > Home Button for the click speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does closing Pandora log me out?
No. You stay signed in, and your stations are saved.
Will closing Pandora delete downloaded music?
No. Offline stations and downloads remain for Premium and Plus subscribers.
How do I stop Pandora from playing through my car?
Pause it on the phone or car screen, or disconnect Bluetooth or CarPlay when you park.
Summary
- Double-press Home and swipe the Pandora card up to close it.
- Use Control Center or the Lock Screen to pause instead.
- Set Pandora’s sleep timer or the Clock’s Stop Playing timer to stop music automatically.
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.