Close Apps iPhone 5 iOS 7: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide

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Summary of Key Takeaways

Why Learn to Close Apps on iPhone 5 iOS 7?

When Apple released iOS 7, it completely redesigned how multitasking worked. Gone were the old static icons in the app switcher — instead, we got live app previews that let us see what each app was doing in the background.

But with this change came a new way to close apps on iPhone 5. If you’ve just upgraded from iOS 6, you might be wondering: “Where did the red minus sign go? How do I force quit apps now?”

Don’t worry — in this article, we’ll walk through how to close apps step by step, explain when you should (and shouldn’t) close apps, and share extra tips to keep your iPhone 5 running smoothly.

What Does “Close Apps iPhone 5 iOS 7” Mean?

When people search for this phrase, they usually want to know:

  • How to force quit apps that are running in the background.

  • How to use the new multitasking view in iOS 7.

  • Whether closing apps helps improve battery life and performance.

In short, “close apps” means removing them from the multitasking screen so they stop running until you open them again.

The iOS 7 Multitasking Upgrade Explained

Apple introduced a visual multitasking interface in iOS 7:

  • Instead of seeing just icons, you see cards (app previews).

  • You can swipe horizontally to scroll through open apps.

  • You can swipe upward on an app’s preview card to close it.

This change made it easier and more intuitive to manage apps.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Close Apps on iPhone 5 (iOS 7)

Step 1: Open the Multitasking Screen

  • Quickly press the Home button twice.

  • The App Switcher will appear, showing previews of apps.

Step 2: Identify the App You Want to Close

  • Swipe left or right to scroll through open apps.

  • Find the app you want to quit (e.g., Safari, Facebook, or Messages).

Step 3: Swipe Up to Close the App

  • Place your finger on the app’s preview card.

  • Swipe it upward until it disappears off the screen.

  • That app is now fully closed.

Step 4: Close Multiple Apps at Once (Optional)

  • Use two or three fingers to swipe up on multiple previews.

  • Great for quickly clearing several apps at the same time.

When Should You Close Apps on iPhone 5?

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to close apps all the time. iOS is designed to manage them efficiently in the background.

✅ You should close apps if:

  • An app freezes or stops responding.

  • The app is draining battery excessively.

  • You need to restart the app fresh.

  • The app is using data in the background unnecessarily.

❌ You don’t need to close apps just to “save battery.” In fact, frequently closing apps may slightly increase battery usage since reopening them uses more power.

Advantages of Closing Apps in iOS 7

  • Frees up memory if an app is stuck or glitching.

  • Stops background activity (helpful for apps like Facebook or Maps).

  • Helps improve battery performance in rare cases.

  • Makes your multitasking screen less cluttered.

Myths About Closing Apps on iPhone 5

There’s a lot of misinformation out there. Let’s clear it up:

Myth Reality
Closing apps saves huge amounts of battery ❌ False – iOS pauses apps efficiently in the background.
You must close apps every time you’re done using them ❌ False – not necessary for most apps.
Closing apps speeds up your iPhone ✅ Sometimes true – but usually only if an app is misbehaving.

Troubleshooting: What If You Can’t Close Apps?

If swiping up doesn’t work or your phone freezes:

  1. Restart your iPhone

    • Hold the Power button until “Slide to power off” appears.

    • Slide to turn off, wait 10 seconds, then turn back on.

  2. Force restart iPhone 5

    • Hold Power + Home button together until you see the Apple logo.

  3. Check for software updates

    • Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

    • Install any available updates.

Alternative Methods to Manage Apps on iPhone 5

  • Background App Refresh: Turn it off in Settings > General > Background App Refresh to stop apps from running in the background.

  • Disable Location Services: Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and adjust per app.

  • Battery Usage Monitor: In newer iOS versions, you can check which apps drain the most battery (not fully available in iOS 7).

Quick Comparison: Closing Apps in iOS 6 vs iOS 7

Feature iOS 6 iOS 7
App Switcher View Icons only App preview cards
Closing Method Tap & hold → red minus Swipe up on preview
Multiple App Closing One at a time Two or three at once

Tips to Keep Your iPhone 5 Running Smoothly

  • Regularly restart your iPhone.

  • Keep your iOS updated.

  • Delete apps you don’t use often.

  • Manage storage (remove old photos, videos, and apps).

  • Use Background App Refresh wisely.

Conclusion: Mastering App Management on iPhone 5 iOS 7

Closing apps on iPhone 5 running iOS 7 is simple and intuitive once you learn the gestures.

Just remember:

  • Double-press Home button → multitasking screen.

  • Swipe up on app preview → app closed.

  • Use this trick mainly when apps misbehave or drain battery.

With these steps, you’ll have full control over your iPhone 5’s multitasking system and performance.

FAQs About Closing Apps on iPhone 5 iOS 7

1. How do I see what apps are running on iPhone 5 iOS 7?

Double-press the Home button — open apps appear as preview cards.

2. Can I close all apps at once on iPhone 5?

No, iOS 7 doesn’t have a “close all” button. You can swipe up on 2–3 apps at the same time for faster closing.

3. Does closing apps improve battery life?

Not usually. iOS manages apps efficiently. Only close apps if they’re frozen or draining power.

4. What’s the difference between closing and deleting an app?

Closing stops it temporarily. Deleting removes it completely from your iPhone.

5. My iPhone 5 is slow — should I close apps to fix it?

It may help a little, but restarting your iPhone and freeing storage are better long-term fixes.

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