iOS

How to close background apps on iOS 25?

How to close apps on iOS 26

To close apps on your iPhone running iOS 26, start by swiping up from the bottom edge of the screen to access the app switcher. Once you’re in the app switcher, you can navigate through your open applications by swiping right or left. When you locate the app you wish to close, swipe it upwards off the screen. This action will terminate the app.

Disabling Background App Refresh

If you prefer to prevent specific applications from running in the background and using your device’s resources, you can turn off Background App Refresh for individual apps. Follow the steps below:

  1. Open the settings app from your home screen.
  2. Select General.
  3. Tap on Background App Refresh.
  4. Find the application you wish to modify, and toggle the switch to disable the Background App Refresh for that app.

Hiding App Pages on Your Home Screen

To keep your home screen organized and hide certain app pages, you can utilize the page management feature in iOS 26. Here’s how:

  1. Press and hold on a blank area of your home screen or on any app icon until you enter jiggle mode.
  2. Tap on the dots located at the bottom of the screen that represent your app pages.
  3. Uncheck the pages you wish to hide from view.
  4. Tap on Done in the upper right corner to save your changes.

Closing Multiple Apps at Once on iPhone 12 and Newer

On newer iPhones, you can efficiently close several apps simultaneously. Fetch the app switcher by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. Navigate to the desired apps and use multiple fingers to swipe them up and off the screen. However, note that there is no built-in option to close all apps at once in iOS; you will have to close each app individually.

Understanding Background App Behavior

By default, many popular applications continue to run in the background to fetch updates and notifications, even when your device’s screen is off. This behavior helps in maintaining a seamless user experience, especially for messaging and navigation apps. However, not all apps are active in the background; typically, only media and navigation apps truly function in this capacity.

Identifying Active Background Applications

If you’re curious about which applications are allowed to run in the background, you can check their status by following these steps:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap on General.
  3. Select Background App Refresh.
  4. Here, you will view a list of applications that are permitted to update in the background.

Dealing with App Deletion Restrictions

If you find yourself unable to delete specific applications on your iPhone, this could be due to set restrictions. To check and change this setting, navigate to Settings, followed by Content & Privacy Restrictions. Under iTunes & App Store Purchases, verify if the option to delete apps is enabled. If not, adjust the settings accordingly.

Managing Your app library

The App Library in iOS 26 provides an efficient way to organize and find applications. To manage your App Library:

  1. Open any app from the App Library to access it.
  2. Utilize the search bar at the top to quickly locate a particular application.
  3. Navigate through folders to see a collection of grouped applications.
  4. Scroll to see an alphabetical list of all your applications.

Conclusion on Closing Tabs in Safari

If you want to clear all open tabs in Safari, follow these steps:

  1. Launch the Safari app.
  2. Press and hold the tab icon, which looks like two overlapping squares.
  3. Select the option to close all tabs in the prompt that appears.

FAQs

1. Can I completely stop apps from running in the background?

Yes, you can manually disable Background App Refresh for individual apps, which will prevent them from running unless you actively open them.

2. Is there a way to close all running apps at once on iOS 26?

No, iOS 26 does not offer an option to close all applications simultaneously. Each app must be closed individually.

3. How can I find out which apps are consuming more battery?

You can check battery usage by going to Settings, then Battery. This section shows you which apps are consuming the most battery life, both during the last 24 hours and over the last week.

About the author

Ethan Caldwell

Ethan Caldwell

Ethan Caldwell is an Apple platform specialist with deep expertise in iOS and macOS systems. With more than 9 years of experience working with Apple devices and software, he focuses on topics such as macOS optimization, iOS features, system troubleshooting, and the Apple ecosystem. Ethan regularly publishes articles, tutorials, and step-by-step guides online covering iPhone, iPad, and Mac usage, advanced settings, security practices, and productivity tips. His work helps both everyday users and professionals better understand and master Apple’s operating systems.