Why Do Users Think Closing Apps Saves Power?
The logic seems simple: if fewer apps are running , the phone should have less to process, therefore conserving energy. After all, on computers, shutting down unused software minimizes workload and keeps the machine running faster thereby, improving efficiency. But iPhones work differently. Apple designed iOS to handle apps intelligently in a unique way that emphasizes efficiency and prevents unnecessary drain without needing constant manual intervention.
How iOS Actually Manages Apps?
When you exit an app on your iPhone, it doesn’t continue running at full speed. Instead, the system suspends it. A suspended app remains in memory but doesn’t consume CPU resources or battery. This is why when you reopen Instagram or Maps, they open instantly because they were paused in the background rather than closed completely.
However, If you force-close the app by swiping up, you’re telling iOS to shut it down completely. The next time you open that app, the system must reload everything from scratch, which needs more energy than simply resuming from suspension.
Apple engineers and executives teams have repeatedly dismissed the myth. Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, replied once to an iPhone user asking if quitting apps saved battery with a blunt “No and no.” Apple’s official support documents back this up, citing that users should only force-close apps if they become unresponsive, not as a routine of saving battery power.
Why Does this Habit Persist?
Part of the persistence of this myth comes from older smartphones and Android devices, where task managers played a bigger role in saving battery. Social media and viral tech tips also perpetuate the misconception, making users feel more in control of their battery life by clearing their multitasking screen.
What You Should Do Instead
If want enhance your iPhone’s battery life, experts recommend focusing on proven techniques:
- Check battery usage: Go to Settings → Battery, see which apps consume the most power and adjust usage accordingly.
- Turn off Background App Refresh: Prevent apps you rarely use from updating in the background unnecessarily.
- Adjust screen brightness: The display is one of the biggest power drains.
- Enable Low Power Mode: Minimize background processes and conserve energy when needed.
- Maintain battery health: Consider replacing the battery once it falls below 80% capacity for optimal performance.
FAQs:
1. Does closing apps on iPhone really save battery?
No. Apple confirms that force-quitting apps actually drains more power.2. Why does my iPhone battery drain so fast?
High screen brightness, background refresh, and push notifications are common culprits.