How to Restart an App on iPhone: A Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial

How to Restart an App on Your iPhone: An Almost Foolproof Method

Ever had that moment when an app on your iPhone just stalls or decides to crash out of the blue? Properly annoying, right? Restarting the app usually sorts it out. It’s dead easy, and surprisingly, it can fix a bunch of minor glitches and quirky behaviour. Basically, if an app’s acting up, giving it a fresh start often makes everything run smoother. Here’s the lowdown on how to restart apps on your iPhone, whether you’ve got an older model with a Home Button or one of the newer shiny ones that don’t.

How to Get That App Restarted

So, you’re dealing with an app that’s not playing nicely. Maybe it won’t load, or it’s just hanging. Before diving into more serious troubleshooting, restarting it is usually a good first step. This clears out temporary hiccups and refreshes the app’s memory — a simple fix that can save your sanity. Here’s how to do it properly:

Step 1: Open the App Switcher

If you have a Home Button (like on older iPhones), just double-press the Home Button. That opens the App Switcher, showing all your recently used apps, making it easy to spot the one causing trouble. Double-tapping reveals everything running in the background.

For newer models — the ones without a Home Button — swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause briefly. You’ll see the app switcher menu appear, listing all your open apps.

Step 2: Find the Problem Child

With the App Switcher open, flick through your open apps. Find the one that’s acting up. Usually, it’s pretty obvious; the icon or the app preview will jog your memory—fingers crossed! Picking the right app to close is key, because accidentally closing the wrong one just adds to your frustration.

If the app you want to restart isn’t appearing, that’s a different dilemma. But for now, let’s stick to the basics.

Step 3: Swipe It Off

Once you’ve located the troublesome app, just swipe up on its card to close it. Think of this as giving the app a little nudge to start fresh. This should stop any weird behaviour or glitches.

Pro tip: Make sure to swipe it all the way off the screen — if you leave a corner hanging, it might still be running in the background. And on newer iPhones, just swipe it off the screen — straightforward as.

Step 4: Try Opening the App Again

Now that you’ve force-closed the app, it’s time to give it another go. Head back to your Home Screen (or the App Library if you prefer) and tap the app icon. It should open up nicely, like a brand-new app.

Quite often, simply doing this little restart fixes the problem. Most people find they can carry on with their usual tasks without further fuss.

If that doesn’t do the trick, try rebooting your entire iPhone. Just press and hold the volume button and the side button until the slide to power off slider appears. Swipe it to turn off, then hold the side button again until it lights up. Sometimes, a fresh start for the whole device is just what’s needed.

Tips and Tricks for Smooth App Restarts

Keep in mind, when you restart an app, you might lose any unsaved work. So, save what you can beforehand! If an app keeps acting up, giving your iPhone a full restart often helps clear out lingering issues.

Here’s a quick recap:

1. Press and hold the volume button and the side button (or just the top/side button on older iPhones).
2. When the power off slider appears, slide it to turn off.
3. Press the side button again to switch it back on after it’s off.

Keeping your iPhone updated is also a good move — those software updates often include fixes for bugs and glitches.

FAQs on Restarting iPhone Apps

How do I force close an app?

Access the App Switcher by double-pressing the Home Button or swiping up from the bottom (on newer models), then swipe up on that troublesome app’s card. Job done.

What if there’s no Home Button?

Use the swipe-up gesture from the bottom to bring up the App Switcher. Then just swipe away the app you want closed.

Will I lose my data when I restart an app?

No worries! Restarting an app is like clicking refresh — your saved data stays put where it should.

What if the app still won’t work after restarting?

In that case, restart your iPhone. If it’s still playing up, try deleting and reinstalling the app via the App Store — sometimes it just needs a fresh install to get back in shape.

Can restarting fix everything?

Not quite, but it solves heaps of common issues. If problems keep cropping up, you might need to look into deeper troubleshooting or seek support from Apple.

Final Words: What’s the Bottom Line?

1. Open the App Switcher (double-tap Home or swipe up).
2. Find the app giving you grief.
3. Swipe it off the screen.
4. Launch the app again from your Home Screen or App Library.

Restarting an app on your iPhone is a handy trick that’s worth having up your sleeve. It can save you from a lot of hassle, often fixing issues in a jiffy. Once you get the hang of it, it’s a quick and easy way to get your app back in gear. Next time an app acts up, try this method — you might be surprised how well it works!