Years of using desktop computers have taught us that keeping a lot of programs running will slow down the PC, use up memory, and cause glitch.

You might want to apply those same lessons to your phone. The reality is that you don't really need to close your apps to save battery life, extend your memory, or help your phone run better.

It can make things worse. When not in use, the apps are put in low-power and low-memory states.

Sometimes you need to close an app if it is malfunctioning. The process varies depending on which phone you use.

How to close apps on an iPhone X or newer

1. You can open the app switcher by moving your finger up from the bottom of the screen. All of your apps should be shown as cards.

Screenshot of iPhone app switcher.
Swipe up from the bottom of the iPhone's screen to enter the app switcher.
Dave Johnson/Insider

2. When you find the one you want to close, use the side-to-side method.

3. Go to the app you want to close. It is closed when it disappears from the screen.

Screenshot of the iPhone app switcher mid app close.
To close an app, just swipe up until it flies off the top of the screen.
Dave Johnson/Insider

To close the app switcher, tap the screen. If you tap the screen around the cards, you will be returned to the Home screen.

How to close apps on an iPhone 8 or earlier

Picture of someone’s finger pointing at the Home button on an iPhone 8.
On iPhone 8 and earlier models, double tap the home button.
Steve Kovach/Insider

1. Press the Home button twice. You should see all of your apps in the switcher.

2. When you find the one you want to close, use the side-to-side method.

3. Go to the app you want to close. It is closed when it disappears from the screen.

If your home button is not functioning correctly, you can enable the Assistive Touch feature in the app, and then follow the same steps to open the app switcher.

How to close multiple apps at once

It is possible to close up to three apps at the same time.

To do that, just open the app switcher, and use multiple fingers to move between apps at the same time.

The app switcher with two apps mid close at once.
You can close up to three apps at a time by swiping up with multiple fingers at once.
Dave Johnson/Insider

It can take a little practice and coordination to pull this off, and obviously it needs to be three side-by-side apps that are all visible on the screen at the same time, but this option is available to you.