• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Answer Your Tech

Wordpress How-to Guides

  • Writing
  • Settings
  • Jetpack
  • Navigation
  • Hosting
  • Getting Started
  • Themes
You are here: Home / Tutorials / How Do I Restart an App on iPhone? Simple Steps to Refresh Your Apps

How Do I Restart an App on iPhone? Simple Steps to Refresh Your Apps

May 15, 2025 By Matthew Burleigh

Restarting an app on your iPhone can resolve many issues like freezing, lagging, or malfunctioning. It’s a simple process: just close the app and reopen it. This refreshes the app’s state and can fix minor bugs.

How to Restart an App on iPhone

Restarting an app will close it completely and then launch it again, effectively refreshing it. Follow these steps to restart an app on your iPhone:

Step 1: Open the App Switcher

Use a swipe-up gesture from the bottom of the screen or double-click the Home button to open the App Switcher.

For iPhones with Face ID, swipe up from the bottom and pause in the middle of the screen. For those with a Home button, double-click the Home button. This will display all the recently used apps.

Step 2: Swipe Right or Left to Find the App

Scroll through the list of open apps to find the one you want to restart.

You might need to swipe through several apps if you have many open. Look for the app icon and its active window.

Step 3: Swipe Up on the App Preview

Use your finger to swipe up on the app’s preview to close it.

This action will forcefully close the app, removing it from the list of recent applications.

Step 4: Return to the Home Screen

Press the Home button or swipe up from the bottom to return to the Home screen.

This will exit the App Switcher and bring you back to your Home screen where you can see all your apps.

Step 5: Reopen the App

Tap the app icon on your Home screen to reopen it.

Opening the app again from the Home screen ensures that it starts fresh, hopefully resolving any issues you were having.

After completing these steps, the app should restart and function more smoothly. This process can solve minor issues like glitches or freezing.

Tips for Restarting an App on iPhone

  • Close Unused Apps: Regularly closing apps you’re not using can free up memory and improve performance.
  • Update Apps: Make sure your apps are up to date to prevent compatibility issues.
  • Restart iPhone: Sometimes, a full device restart can help if just restarting the app doesn’t work.
  • Clear Cache: Some apps allow you to clear the cache within their settings, which can also resolve issues.
  • Check for iOS Updates: Ensure your iPhone’s operating system is up to date, as updates can fix bugs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I force quit an app on iPhone?

Follow the steps mentioned above to open the App Switcher and swipe up on the app’s preview to force quit it.

Will I lose data if I restart an app?

Usually, you won’t lose data by restarting an app. Most apps save your progress and data automatically.

What if the app keeps crashing after restarting?

Try updating the app or reinstalling it. If the problem persists, check if there’s an iOS update or contact the app’s support.

Is restarting an app the same as reinstalling it?

No, restarting an app simply refreshes it, while reinstalling involves deleting and then downloading the app again, which can erase data unless it’s backed up.

Can restarting an app improve battery life?

It can help, especially if the app was consuming a lot of battery due to a glitch.

Summary of Steps

  1. Open App Switcher.
  2. Swipe to find the app.
  3. Swipe up on the app.
  4. Return to Home Screen.
  5. Reopen the app.

Conclusion

Restarting an app on your iPhone is a quick and easy fix for minor app glitches or performance issues. By following the simple steps of opening the App Switcher, finding the app, swiping up to close it, and then reopening it, you can often resolve problems without much hassle.

Keeping your iPhone and apps updated, along with regular restarts, can help maintain performance and prevent issues from arising in the first place. If problems persist, more in-depth solutions like reinstalling the app or contacting support might be necessary. Regardless, knowing how to restart an app can be a handy skill to keep your device running smoothly.

So, the next time an app starts acting wonky, don’t fret. Just restart it and get back to your daily routine! For more tips and tricks on managing your iPhone, stay tuned to more of our handy guides.

Matthew Burleigh
Matthew Burleigh

Matt has been working with WordPress and creating content using this powerful content management system for years. While he has written about many other tech topics, WordPress is one of his favorites.

You can read his full bio here.

Join Our Free Newsletter

WordPress guides and deals

You may opt out at any time.
Read our Privacy Policy

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

Related

Primary Sidebar

Join Our Free Newsletter

WordPress guides and deals

You may opt out at any time.
Read our Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

  • How to Pair Apple Watch to a New iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Find Hidden Apps on iPhone: A Comprehensive Guide
  • How to Turn Off Incognito on iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Update App on iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Hide App on iPhone: Easy Steps for Enhanced Privacy

Site Info

  • Domain Name - Hostgator
  • Hosting - Cloudways
  • Theme Framework - Genesis
  • Child Theme - Smart Passive Income Pro
  • Site Speed - WP Rocket

Archives

  • July 2025
  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • May 2022
  • July 2020
  • September 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • July 2018
  • December 2016
  • November 2016

Categories

  • Comments
  • Genesis
  • Getting Started
  • Hosting
  • Jetpack
  • Navigation
  • Plugins
  • Settings
  • Sidebar
  • Themes
  • Tutorials
  • Writing
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • FAQ
  • About
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 AnswerYourTech.com