In the age of smartphones, battery longevity is a constant concern, particularly for users of older models. While there are numerous tips and tricks circulating on how to preserve your iPhone’s battery life, one common tactic might be doing more harm than good.
The Common Misconception About Closing iPhone Apps
Many iPhone users believe that swiping apps closed improves battery performance. This practice, seemingly logical, is based on the assumption that fewer open apps mean less strain on the device’s resources. However, this well-intentioned habit is actually a misconception, as clarified by Apple itself.
What Apple Says About Swiping Apps Closed
Apple’s own support forums provide a counterintuitive insight: apps that appear in the multitasking view aren’t truly “open” but are in a standby mode, designed to help users navigate and multitask more efficiently.
When your recently used apps appear, the apps aren’t open, but they’re in standby mode.
This means that these apps are not actively running or draining significant battery life. They enter a suspended state shortly after you switch away from them, minimizing their energy consumption.
Moreover, Apple advises that forcibly closing apps should only be done if an app is unresponsive. The company explains that apps in the background are essentially ‘frozen,’ drastically reducing their background activity and freeing up the memory they were using. iOS efficiently manages these frozen apps, making it unnecessary and even counterproductive to close them manually.
Insights from Experts
John Gruber, a renowned technology journalist, echoes Apple’s stance on his blog Daring Fireball. He emphasizes that iOS is exceptionally efficient at managing apps in the background.
Unfreezing a frozen app uses far less CPU—and energy—than restarting an app that’s been completely closed.
This means that constantly swiping apps closed can actually lead to increased battery usage and longer app loading times.
Apple confirms swiping apps closed causes your iPhone to slow down and lose battery life – UNILAD https://t.co/yqxCJ5YTiN
— F-B-R (@GrassrootsApple) April 18, 2024
How to Truly Extend Your iPhone’s Battery Life
If you’re looking to genuinely prolong your iPhone’s battery life, Apple suggests several more effective strategies:
– Update to the Latest Software: Regular updates often include advanced energy-saving technologies.
– Dim Screen Brightness: Lowering the brightness reduces the energy consumed by the display.
– Enable Low Power Mode: This feature adjusts system settings to conserve battery.
– Turn Off Location Services: Location tracking can be a significant drain on battery resources.
Final Thoughts
The revelation that closing apps might actually be detrimental to battery life is a wake-up call for many iPhone users. It challenges a common practice and highlights the importance of understanding how our devices manage resources. Instead of adhering to outdated beliefs, embracing the guidance from Apple and technology experts can lead to better performance and longer battery life for your iPhone.
