So you’ve updated to iOS 7 (or taken delivery of your new iPhone 5s or 5c) and you can’t figure out how to close all those apps you’ve launched. Don’t worry: you’re not alone.
How to close apps in iOS 7
In iOS 6 and previous versions you had to double-tap the Home button to show the tray containing all the apps which were running in the background, using up all the smartphone or tablet’s precious resources (particularly RAM). You’d then tap and hold any one of them to make them all wiggle, and press the red cross to close the app.
It was never a good system, and most people didn’t realise you didn’t actually have to tap the ‘x’ – pressing anywhere on the icon would close the app.
In iOS 7, reviewed, you still double-tap the Home button to bring up the list of running apps, but it’s now a full-screen affair, no matter whether you’re using an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.
As well as the icon, you also get a larger thumbnail of what was on screen when you last used the app, so it’s easier to see at a glance which app is which.
To close an app, you simply swipe upwards on the thumbnail to dismiss it – just as on an Android tablet or smartphone. Swipe left and right to scroll through the list of apps.
If you have lots of running apps, it’s quicker to use two fingers to simultaneously dismiss two apps.
See also: How to clear unread Gmail emails in iOS 7: mark them all as read
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Comments
Geo said: its not negativity its common sense its called hey i have my opinion can i speak it
Sandi Osner said: Cant figure out how to delete the updated apps- Ive been swiping up and down and all around and cant figure this out Help
gina said: No x appears on the app after it starts to jiggle like it used to now what
App Affair said: you should NEVER have to buy a user guide for a purchased piece of equipment ios7 appears designed for teenagers including the US kids language really irritating for English from England or Australia - the Queens English - think business and law guys and make a sophisticated approach Id also love to see Apple become openly tech savvy by incorporating basic things like workable file swap and SD between devices not trickery or pseudo always needs tech help nonsense Dont be shy Free us from chaining ourselves to Telcos charging for wifi accessed functions Get Bluetooth that actually works between same brand devices too not just SAY its the latest 40 Would be great If I didnt have to spend two days checking and fixing new purchases from apple and do worse by upgrading to ios7 Thats why Im off to support windows based equipment One folder one card one presentation Easy
marcia said: my battery life was next to nil Just saw all apps were open Hopefully this will do it Have tried every other tip I wish they had told us
frankenmouse said: One would think that when making such a large change to a basic function that Apple would make it a bit more obvious what they had done to change the system
HC said: Thank you This was helpful Now I dont have to turn my iPhone off and on
SamQ said: LMAO ROTF Hey Apple kiddies hows that new Android interface working for you LoL
stallionleah321 said: my Aunty Caroline recently got an awesome 9month old Mercedes-Benz C-Class Convertible only from working part time off apc my review here Jam20om
Sundar said: Thank you This was really helpful
Ray Don said: Yeah works like Android
Tamara Herrema said: You can also use three fingers to dismiss the apps dont need just two
Ross said: Thanks very much Jim finally someone who knew what I was talking about This is useful information
CnenG said: Figured it out by accident then went on here to verifysearchwheeeewww I was doing it do the rightness in this case up-ness
Don said: Thanks It worked for me Would not want my son to see some crazy You Tube videos just viewed by daddy Lolz
Fahd Raza said: Thanks a lot i was very confused thanks again for helping never used android so no idea D
Linzie said: Very useful thank you
Vicki said: You hold your finger on the ap until it starts jiggling and then you touch the cross and it asks you if you really want to delete or cancel it Then double click the home button to get back to normal
Jucgs said: How do I delete an app that I no longer want Such as a game
AMG said: When someone is helping you for freewhy are you so negative