To switch between apps on an iPhone 13, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and pause in the middle until the App Switcher appears, then swipe left or right and tap the app you want. For a quicker jump, swipe left or right along the very bottom edge of the screen to move straight to the previous or next app.
Quick Answer
Swipe up from the bottom and hold briefly to open the App Switcher, or swipe sideways along the bottom edge to flip between recent apps.
Method 1: App Switcher
- From any app or the Home Screen, place your finger on the bottom edge of the screen.
- Swipe up slowly and pause near the middle. Cards for recent apps appear.
- Swipe right to go back through older apps, or left to move forward.
- Tap a card to open that app.
Method 2: Swipe Along the Bottom Edge
Swipe right along the home indicator (the thin bar at the bottom) to go to the previous app. Swipe left to return. This is the fastest way to hop between two apps, such as copying text from one into another.
Other Ways to Switch
| Method | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| App Switcher | Swipe up and pause | Choosing from many recent apps |
| Bottom-edge swipe | Swipe sideways on the home indicator | Two apps back and forth |
| Back link | Tap the app name at the top left after following a link | Returning to where you came from |
| AssistiveTouch | Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch, then set App Switcher as an action | If swipes are hard to do |
Tidy your Home Screen by renaming app folders.
Troubleshooting
- Swiping goes to the Home Screen: You swiped too fast. Swipe up more slowly and hold.
- App restarts when you switch back: iOS may close apps in the background to save memory. That’s normal.
- Want to close an app? In the App Switcher, swipe its card up. See closing windows and apps on iPhone.
- App is frozen: See unfreezing an iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this work on other iPhones?
Yes. Every iPhone with Face ID uses the same gestures. iPhones with a Home button use a double-press of the Home button.
Should I close apps to save battery?
Usually not. iOS manages background apps; force-closing is only needed when an app misbehaves.
Can I split the screen on iPhone?
No. iPhone shows one app at a time, though Picture in Picture keeps video playing over other apps.
Summary
- Swipe up and pause to open the App Switcher.
- Swipe sideways and tap an app.
- Swipe along the bottom edge for quick switching.
- Use AssistiveTouch if gestures are difficult.
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.