Does Closing Apps Make Your Phone Faster?
🤔 Tech Myth Thursday • Issue 002
One of the most common smartphone habits I see is people constantly swiping away every app they have open.
Some people do it several times a day because they've heard it makes their phone run faster.
The truth?
Not usually.
Modern smartphones are designed to manage apps in the background far more efficiently than most people realize.
What Actually Happens
When you switch away from an app, your phone doesn't necessarily keep it running at full power.
In most cases, the operating system pauses the app and stores it in memory so you can quickly return where you left off.
That means the app isn't actively consuming processor power just because it's still visible in your recent apps list.
Both iPhones and Android phones are built to automatically manage memory, battery usage, and background processes without you having to constantly force close everything.
Why Constantly Closing Apps Can Backfire
Every time you force close an app, your phone has to completely reload it the next time you open it.
That means it must:
Reload the application
Rebuild its memory
Reconnect to the internet
Reload images and data
Ironically, that often requires more processing power than simply leaving the paused app alone.
While the difference may be small for one app, doing it dozens of times every day doesn't provide the performance boost many people expect.
When You Should Force Close an App
There are absolutely times when closing an app is the right choice.
For example:
The app freezes
The app crashes repeatedly
It becomes unresponsive
It continues playing audio unexpectedly
It's clearly draining your battery abnormally
In those situations, force closing the app is often the quickest way to resolve the issue.
What Actually Makes Your Phone Faster
If your phone feels sluggish, these steps are much more effective than constantly clearing your recent apps.
Free Up Storage
Phones need available storage to operate efficiently. Running nearly full can slow things down.
Install Updates
Software updates often include performance improvements, bug fixes, and security updates.
Restart Occasionally
A simple restart clears temporary processes and refreshes system resources.
Remove Problem Apps
Some apps use excessive battery or continue running unnecessary background tasks.
Check Battery Health
An aging battery can cause some phones to reduce performance in order to maintain stability.
Digital Junkie Recommends
Instead of making it a habit to close every app, let your phone do the job it was designed to do.
Only force close apps when something isn't working correctly.
Your phone's operating system is generally much better at managing memory than we are.
The Bottom Line
Closing every app doesn't magically make your phone faster.
In many cases, it actually creates more work for your phone the next time those apps are opened.
Focus on keeping your phone updated, maintaining available storage, and removing apps that misbehave.
Those changes will have a much bigger impact on performance.
Digital Junkie's Advice
Don't waste time constantly closing apps. Spend that time keeping your phone healthy instead.
Coming Next Week...
🤔 Tech Myth Thursday • Issue 003
Does Charging Your Phone Overnight Ruin the Battery?
We'll separate fact from fiction and explain how modern smartphones actually handle overnight charging.
Connecting Life to Technology
Technology myths spread quickly, but good information helps you make better decisions. Whether you need help with smartphones, computers, Wi-Fi, networking, or technology around your home or business, Digital Junkie Technology Services & Consulting is here to help homeowners and small businesses throughout Central Texas get the most out of their technology.
