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Understanding Why Closing Running Apps Matters for Device Performance

Many device users operate with dozens of applications running simultaneously in the background, often without realizing the impact on their device's performance. A 2023 smartphone usage study found that the average user has between 80-120 apps installed, with approximately 30-40 actively running at any given time. This constant background activity consumes valuable system resources including RAM, processor power, and battery capacity. Understanding the mechanics of how running apps affect your device can help you make informed decisions about which applications to keep active and which to close.

When applications run in the background, they perform various functions that drain resources. Some apps refresh data, send notifications, track location, sync files, or maintain connections to servers. While some of this activity is beneficial—such as email syncing or message notifications—other background processes may be unnecessary. Research from mobile analytics firms indicates that the average smartphone loses approximately 25-35% of its battery life to background app activity that the user neither monitors nor requires.

Device manufacturers have implemented various systems to manage background app activity. iOS restricts background processes more aggressively than Android, which offers more flexibility but requires more active user management. Understanding these platform differences helps you develop strategies appropriate for your specific device. The relationship between running apps and device speed is direct: fewer active applications typically result in faster response times, quicker app launches, and smoother overall performance.

Practical Takeaway: Begin by observing your current device behavior. Notice how many apps appear to be running, identify which ones you actively use throughout the day, and recognize which ones you open infrequently. This baseline awareness forms the foundation for making strategic decisions about closing unnecessary applications.

Identifying Which Apps Actually Need to Close

Not all running apps deserve equal treatment. Some applications provide ongoing value by running in the background, while others drain resources without meaningful benefit. Learning to distinguish between these categories represents a crucial skill for device optimization. Essential apps that typically should remain active include your messaging platform (to receive notifications), maps application if you're navigating, music or podcast streaming services, and any financial apps requiring real-time alerts. These applications justify their background resource consumption through direct user benefit.

Social media applications represent a primary category of apps many users can safely close. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok continue consuming resources in the background even when not actively used, as they refresh feeds, process notifications, and track user behavior. A 2022 study examining app resource consumption found that popular social media applications used an average of 150-300 megabytes of RAM when running in the background. For users who check these apps only a few times daily, closing them between sessions can recover substantial device resources.

Streaming and entertainment applications present another opportunity for selective closure. Video streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+ maintain active connections and refresh content metadata even when not being watched. Gaming applications frequently sync save data and check for updates continuously. E-commerce apps like Amazon and retail shopping platforms monitor inventory and process background requests. All these categories can be safely closed after use, then reopened when needed with minimal inconvenience.

Productivity and utility apps fall into a middle category requiring individual assessment. Calendar applications benefit from remaining active to provide timely reminders. Note-taking apps like Evernote or OneNote may sync changes in real-time, which some users find valuable. Weather applications and news readers could stay active if you value frequent updates, or close if you check them only occasionally. Cloud storage apps like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive typically benefit from remaining somewhat active to sync files, but their background activity can be managed through settings.

Practical Takeaway: Create a personal inventory of your installed applications and categorize them into three groups: Essential (must stay active), Beneficial (nice to stay active), and Optional (can close regularly). Review this list monthly as your app usage patterns change, and adjust accordingly.

Step-by-Step Methods for Closing Apps on Different Platforms

The process for closing running applications differs significantly depending on your device platform. iOS and Android employ different architectural approaches to background app management, resulting in different user procedures. Understanding the specific method for your device ensures you can close apps efficiently without confusion or mistakes. The good news is that both platforms have become increasingly intuitive over recent versions, making app closure a straightforward process for most users.

On iOS devices (iPhone and iPad), Apple provides multiple methods for closing applications. The most direct method involves accessing the App Switcher by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (on newer models without a home button) or double-tapping the home button (on older models). This displays thumbnails of all active applications. Swipe up on any app preview to close it immediately. For users with accessibility settings enabled or those preferring alternatives, settings exist to manage background app refresh for individual applications. Navigate to Settings, then Background App Refresh, and toggle off any apps you wish to prevent from running in the background. This approach requires the app to be launched fresh when next used, but it prevents resource consumption between uses.

Android devices offer similar capabilities with platform-specific variations. The method depends on your specific Android version and device manufacturer modifications. Generally, access the Recent Apps screen by swiping up from the bottom center of your screen (on newer Android versions) or tapping the Recent Apps button in your navigation bar. This displays recently used and currently active applications. Swipe up or right on any app to close it, or long-press the app and select "Close" or "Remove" from the menu that appears. For systematic background management, open Settings, navigate to Apps, select an individual application, and look for options such as "Force Stop" or "Disable" to prevent it from running. Some Android devices include a dedicated Battery Saver or Device Care app that identifies resource-heavy applications and suggests closure options.

Tablet computers on both platforms follow similar procedures to their smartphone counterparts. Larger screens sometimes display app switchers differently, but the fundamental concepts remain identical. Closing apps on tablets follows the same steps as smartphones, and the resource management benefits apply equally or even more significantly given tablets' larger processing capacity.

Practical Takeaway: Practice closing apps until the process becomes automatic. Most users benefit from checking their active apps once daily and closing those they won't use in the coming hours. Set a recurring phone reminder for a convenient time each day to develop this habit.

Exploring System Settings for Ongoing Background App Management

Beyond manually closing individual applications, both iOS and Android provide system-level settings that offer more permanent solutions to background app resource consumption. These settings allow you to prevent specific apps from running in the background automatically, reducing the need for frequent manual closure. Learning to leverage these built-in tools represents a more efficient long-term approach than repeatedly closing the same apps. Most users can benefit from customizing these settings to match their personal usage patterns and preferences.

iOS Background App Refresh settings provide granular control over which applications can access background processing time. Access this through Settings > General > Background App Refresh. You can toggle the feature entirely off (though Apple generally doesn't recommend this as it prevents beneficial background updates), or customize individual apps. Disable background refresh for applications you use infrequently or that don't provide real-time value through background activity. Apps like game applications, shopping apps, or social media platforms rarely need background refresh capability. Enable background refresh for applications like Maps (for location-based reminders), Health (for fitness tracking), Messages (for notifications), and banking apps (for security alerts). This selective approach reduces resource consumption while maintaining essential functionality.

Low Power Mode on iOS provides another useful tool for automatically managing app resource usage. Enable it through Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode or directly from Control Center. This mode automatically restricits background app refresh, reduces visual effects, and limits certain features that consume power. While Apple designed Low Power Mode primarily for battery preservation when charge runs low, many users discover they can run in this mode consistently without significant inconvenience, particularly if they've customized background app refresh settings appropriately.

Android devices offer comparable functionality through Battery Saver or Adaptive Battery features, typically found in Settings > Battery or Settings > Device Care depending on manufacturer. These features analyze your app usage patterns and automatically restrict background activity for apps you use infrequently. The system learns over time which apps matter to you and manages resources accordingly. Additionally, many Android devices allow you to access individual app settings to disable notifications, restrict background activity, or prevent startup on device boot. Navigate to Settings > Apps, select individual applications, and explore options for managing their permissions and background activity.

Practical Takeaway: Spend 20 minutes this week customizing background app refresh settings or battery management features on your device. Start with apps you recognize as