Swiping up to close apps on iphone? you might be doing it wrong
The common iphone habit
Many iPhone users habitually swipe up to close apps after finishing Instagram, WhatsApp, or browsing. This stems from a belief that it frees up memory and extends battery life, a logic prevalent in systems like Android and Windows. However, iOS operates differently, and this gesture can actually be counterproductive. Craig Federighi, Apple's Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, recently confirmed this, stating he doesn't manually close apps to save battery.
How ios manages apps differently
Unlike Android or Windows, leaving processes open in iOS doesn't necessarily mean significant background resource consumption. When you exit an app, iOS doesn't terminate it. Instead, it freezes it in RAM. In this paused state, the app consumes no processor power, uses no battery, and doesn’t utilize data. This deliberate design prioritizes quick app reopening, leveraging the cached data for a seamless user experience.
Why forcing closure hurts performance
Manually closing apps disrupts this efficient system. The operating system is then forced to restart the app from scratch the next time you open it. This involves loading the interface, retrieving data, and restoring the app's state – a process that demands a considerably higher burst of energy than reactivating a paused app. Consequently, the opposite effect occurs: increased battery drain instead of conservation.
Which apps actually consume background resources?
Only apps with specific permissions actively consume resources in the background. Examples include music streaming apps playing audio, Google Maps providing location services, or messaging apps receiving notifications. These apps are designed to perform tasks even when not actively in use, and their impact on battery life is managed through iOS's system settings.
Controlling background app refresh
If your concern lies with apps consuming data or draining battery while idle, the solution isn't to close the multitasking window. Instead, navigate to Settings> General> Background App Refresh. From here, you can selectively control which apps are permitted to fetch new content when you're not using them – a setting that genuinely impacts battery consumption. Manually closing apps provides no benefit in this regard.
When is closing an app actually necessary?
There’s one specific scenario where closing an app is beneficial: when an app becomes frozen or unresponsive. While infrequent on iPhones, these situations necessitate a forced closure and restart. Additionally, if you’re certain you won’t need an app for an extended period, closing it is acceptable. Otherwise, the swipe-up gesture is largely unnecessary and can actually hinder performance.