Most of us instinctively flick away iPhone apps to close them, believing it conserves battery and boosts performance. However, Apple’s guidelines recommend closing apps only when unresponsive. iOS is designed to minimize the impact of background apps on battery and resources.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, clarified that closing apps is unnecessary for battery health or performance. The myth persists despite modern iPhones having significantly more memory, and while apps are more demanding, iOS efficiently suspends background apps to free up RAM.
While counterintuitive, leaving apps suspended often consumes less battery than closing and reopening them. The initial launch of apps requires a power spike, while suspended apps use minimal energy. Exceptions include apps like Spotify and Apple Music, which may draw power if actively used in the background.
If battery concerns arise, the Battery Usage setting provides insights into app energy consumption. Disable background usage for specific apps through the Background App Refresh setting. Removing unused apps and deleting large files are effective ways to optimize iPhone performance. While closing apps may be satisfying, it generally has no beneficial impact on battery or performance.
