Does Closing Unused Apps Improve Phone Speed Myth Vs Reality

Many smartphone users believe that swiping away background apps regularly keeps their device fast and responsive. This habit is so widespread that it's become part of the daily routine for millions: open the app switcher, swipe up on every app, and feel a sense of digital cleanliness. But does this actually help? Or is it an outdated practice rooted in misunderstanding how modern mobile operating systems work? The truth is more nuanced than the common belief suggests — and understanding it can save you time, battery, and unnecessary stress about your phone’s performance.

How Modern Smartphones Manage Background Apps

Unlike older smartphones and basic computers, modern iOS and Android devices are designed to manage memory and background processes intelligently. When you press the home button or swipe to return to the home screen, most apps don’t continue running in full capacity. Instead, they enter a suspended or dormant state. In this state, the app remains in RAM (memory) but uses no CPU power or battery. It’s akin to pausing a movie — the image stays on screen, but nothing is actively playing.

The operating system treats RAM like a workspace. Keeping recently used apps in memory allows for faster switching when you return to them. If you close an app manually, the system has to reload it entirely the next time you open it, which can actually take more resources than leaving it suspended. Apple has long emphasized this point: “Closing apps may make you think your phone runs faster, but it doesn’t,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Product Marketing, in a 2020 interview.

“iOS and Android are built to optimize app management automatically. Manually closing apps doesn’t improve performance — it often makes things slower.” — Dr. Lena Patel, Mobile Systems Engineer at MIT Media Lab

This automated optimization means that unless an app is actively using CPU cycles, location services, or network activity, it’s not harming your phone’s speed or battery life simply by being in the app switcher.

When Closing Apps Actually Helps

While the general rule is that closing unused apps isn’t necessary, there are specific scenarios where force-closing an app can be beneficial:

• Buggy or frozen apps: If an app is unresponsive or crashing, closing it can resolve temporary glitches.
• Apps using excessive battery: Some poorly coded apps continue running background tasks unnecessarily. Check battery usage stats to identify these offenders.
• Location-tracking apps: Navigation or fitness apps may keep GPS active even when minimized, draining battery over time.
• Background refresh abuse: Certain social media or news apps refresh content constantly, consuming data and processing power.

Tip: Instead of routinely closing all apps, check your phone’s battery settings to see which apps are truly consuming resources — then address only those.

Real Example: Sarah’s Battery Drain Mystery

Sarah, a freelance photographer, noticed her iPhone was dying by mid-afternoon despite charging it nightly. She had been religiously closing all apps multiple times a day, believing it would help. After visiting an Apple Store, the technician pulled up her battery usage report and found that a weather widget app was consuming 35% of her background battery — despite being used only twice a week. The app was constantly refreshing in the background and syncing data. After disabling its background refresh and removing it from auto-launch, her battery life improved by nearly 40%. She stopped closing other apps altogether and saw no negative impact on speed.

This case illustrates that targeted action based on actual data beats blind habits every time.

Common Misconceptions About App Management

The myth that closing apps improves speed persists due to several misconceptions:

Misconception	Reality
More free RAM = better performance	RAM is meant to be used. Free RAM is wasted RAM. Systems use it to cache apps for faster access.
Closed apps save battery	Only apps actively using CPU, GPS, or network drain battery. Suspended apps do not.
Swiping apps prevents slowdowns	Frequent reloading due to forced closures can slow transitions between apps.
All background apps are running	Most are paused. Only select functions (like music or navigation) remain active.

Another contributing factor is the visual design of the app switcher. On both iOS and Android, the app preview screens look like live, running applications. This creates the illusion that they’re consuming resources. In reality, these are just static snapshots stored in memory to provide smooth transitions when resuming.

What Actually Slows Down Your Phone?

If closing apps isn’t the solution, what causes real performance issues? The answer lies in deeper system factors:

1. Storage saturation: When your phone’s storage is over 80% full, especially near capacity, the system struggles to manage temporary files and cache, leading to lag.
2. Outdated software: Older versions of iOS or Android may lack performance optimizations or contain bugs that affect responsiveness.
3. Too many widgets or animations: Home screen widgets that auto-refresh and heavy visual effects can strain older devices.
4. Background services: Cloud sync, email fetch, and push notifications run continuously and can accumulate resource usage.
5. Aging hardware: Over time, batteries degrade, storage wears out, and processors heat up more easily, reducing peak performance.

Tip: Keep at least 10–15% of your storage free for optimal performance. Offload old photos, messages, and unused apps regularly.

Step-by-Step: Optimize Phone Speed the Right Way

Instead of closing apps, follow this proven sequence to maintain or restore your phone’s speed:

1. Check storage space: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage (iOS) or Settings > Storage (Android). Delete large unused files or enable cloud backup.
2. Update your OS: Install the latest version of your operating system for bug fixes and performance improvements.
3. Review battery usage: Identify apps consuming excessive background power and restrict their permissions.
4. Limit background app refresh: Disable this feature for non-essential apps under Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
5. Reduce motion and animations: Enable Reduce Motion (iOS) or Developer Options > Window/Transition Animation Scale (Android) to lighten GPU load.
6. Restart weekly: A full reboot clears temporary system clutter without disrupting app efficiency.
7. Reset settings if needed: As a last resort, reset all settings (not erase content) to clear network and display configurations that may cause lag.

Expert Recommendations: What Tech Companies Say

Both Apple and Google have publicly addressed the myth of app-swiping. In official support documentation, Apple states: “You don’t need to close apps to free up memory. Your iPhone manages this automatically.” Similarly, Google’s Android Help page notes: “Leaving apps open won’t slow your device. The system suspends apps when you’re not using them.”

These statements reflect years of engineering focused on efficient memory management. Modern smartphones use a tiered approach:

• Active: The app currently in use.
• Suspended: In memory but not using CPU or battery.
• Terminated: Removed from memory when system needs space.

The system automatically moves apps through these states as needed. Manual intervention rarely adds value and often disrupts the optimization process.

Checklist: Healthy App & Phone Habits

Use this checklist to maintain performance without falling for myths:

• ✅ Check battery usage weekly to spot rogue apps
• ✅ Update your OS and apps monthly
• ✅ Keep storage under 85% capacity
• ✅ Disable background refresh for non-critical apps
• ✅ Restart your phone once a week
• ❌ Avoid closing apps routinely
• ❌ Don’t install duplicate utility or “booster” apps
• ✅ Use built-in tools like iOS Offload Unused Apps or Android Adaptive Battery

FAQ: Common Questions About App Closing and Performance

Does closing apps save battery?

Generally, no. Suspended apps don’t use battery. However, if an app is actively running in the background (e.g., using GPS or playing audio), closing it will stop the drain. Use your battery settings to identify such apps instead of closing everything blindly.

Why does my phone feel slower after multitasking?

This perception often comes from animation delays or momentary loading when resuming apps that were terminated due to memory pressure. It’s not caused by having too many apps open, but rather by the phone reallocating resources. This is normal behavior and not a sign of poor performance.

Are third-party task killer apps useful?

No. These apps contradict the operating system’s built-in management and can cause more harm than good. They may force-close essential services, disrupt notifications, and increase battery usage due to constant restarts. Both Apple and Google discourage their use.

Conclusion: Stop Closing Apps — Start Optimizing Smarter

The belief that closing unused apps improves phone speed is a persistent myth rooted in outdated technology and visual misinterpretation. Modern smartphones are engineered to handle app management efficiently, making manual intervention unnecessary in almost all cases. Rather than wasting time swiping away apps, focus on meaningful optimizations: monitor battery usage, keep software updated, manage storage, and disable background activity for problematic apps.

Your phone isn’t slowing down because apps are “open.” It’s likely due to storage limits, aging hardware, or inefficient background processes. By shifting your attention from myth to reality, you’ll not only improve performance but also extend your device’s lifespan and reduce digital anxiety.

🚀 Ready to optimize your phone the right way? Audit your battery usage today, disable background refresh for one app you rarely use, and skip the app swiping for a week. Notice the difference — or lack thereof. Share your experience in the comments and help others break free from this common misconception.