iPhone Do you kill apps from multi-tasking on iPhone?

[Dented]

Do you kill apps from multi-tasking on iPhone?

You don't have a way to demonstrate that your iPhone is working any better than mine ....

Which is lucky for you! But my point remains - here we are on a forum full of reasonably technically minded people, interested enough in getting the most of their iPhones and iPads to be browsing here in the first place, and yet even without being able to see the results of the poll I can be certain that a significant proportion never bother to close down apps. How can that be if failing to do so has the kind of impact you and others are suggesting? Why we would all be putting up with sluggish performance and battery drain?

 

[cynics]

So what did we all decide? Turns out in fact that there is no real right or wrong.

Closing apps to tidy up the the recent app list is user preference.

Closing apps for other reasons may not be necessary but also doesn't hurt anything. And there is always the off chance an app is misbehaving and you inadvertently fix.

I guess someone could argue you are wasting 2-3 seconds of your life every few days. I can't imagine that being a thing. I'd say if the placebo effect makes you feel better about closing apps then that's worth well more then the couple seconds it took to close those apps.

 

[casperes1996]

Yes, but

Literally right after I stop using an app I quit it (if I don't have to use it again in the immediate time frame). It's not nessecary at all of course, as iOS is brilliant with multi-tasking (although iOS 7 allows background apps to tax the system more). I just domt like having my app switcher be filled with apps, and there is an impact on batter (although it's so tony that you won't notice for the most part).

 

[Shuri]

I never new Apple intended it to be used as an emergency "kill an app". Coming from android we used it to get to apps quickly. Say I'm typing an email and I need the web I can just double tap open the browser get the info double tap back to the email just got a SMS double tap open SMS. In my mind that's the way Apple intended it to be used. Is there some document that says its "only for killing apps"?

Neither did I; This statement wasn't directed to you, so that's maybe why you misunderstood me

Cynics wrote, that he or she uses the task switcher as a place where his most used apps are, which isn't the way apple has designed it to be for. Opening recent apps like you described it is exactly what I use it for and what it is best for IMO.

Btw I'm not saying, that you cannot use something like you want to, only because Apple hasn't designed it that way. I just wanted to say, that I think, it's a bigger hassle than it should be, because it's not a use-case the programmers had thought of.

 

[cynics]

Neither did I; This statement wasn't directed to you, so that's maybe why you misunderstood me

Cynics wrote, that he or she uses the task switcher as a place where his most used apps are, which isn't the way apple has designed it to be for. Opening recent apps like you described it is exactly what I use it for and what it is best for IMO.

Btw I'm not saying, that you cannot use something like you want to, only because Apple hasn't designed it that way. I just wanted to say, that I think, it's a bigger hassle than it should be, because it's not a use-case the programmers had thought of.

Hmm. I'm browsing Apple.com not finding the proper way to use what they call "Multitasking".

I need a link with directions please.

EDIT : Actually the more I search Apple.com the more I find there is no right or wrong way to use it and it pretty much just says to quickly get back to your app to use it. So yeah I need that link...

 

[C DM]

As with a lot of things that Apple does (often because that's what actually works best for them and the vast majority of the typical users), it seems like the way the multitasking/recent apps list is designed is to give you the basic version of what it can do: a basic way to quit apps if needed (mainly for misbehaving individual ones or ones that are using background services), on an individual level, and, equally as much a basic way to switch between a few of the most recently used apps quickly (mainly between the last few for the most part).

So, when you look for deeper uses of that kind of functionality, like killing all apps at the same time, or being able to quickly and efficiently use the list as a launcher more or less, it won't work as well given that's not the main idea behind its design--it can still work for those purposes of course, but just won't necessarily have all or even most of the "bells and whistles" that people would want for those kinds of deeper/extended functionalities.

 

[cynics]

As with a lot of things that Apple does (often because that's what actually works best for them and the vast majority of the typical users), it seems like the way the multitasking/recent apps list is designed is to give you the basic version of what it can do: a basic way to quit apps if needed (mainly for misbehaving individual ones or ones that are using background services), on an individual level, and, equally as much a basic way to switch between a few of the most recently used apps quickly (mainly between the last few for the most part).

So, when you look for deeper uses of that kind of functionality, like killing all apps at the same time, or being able to quickly and efficiently use the list as a launcher more or less, it won't work as well given that's not the main idea behind its design--it can still work for those purposes of course, but just won't necessarily have all or even most of the "bells and whistles" that people would want for those kinds of deeper/extended functionalities.

I appreciate your thought out and educated post. HOWEVER, I don't consider myself using it as a launcher anymore or less then Apple intended it.

If I'm in my phone using Tapatalk lock it and put it in my pocket then say "I need to message so and so, and send an email to someone else". I pull out my phone, unlock it, now it will be where I left it in tapatalk. At this point its faster and more efficient (for me) to just double click the home button and switch to messages, send a message, double tap again open mail. What I just did is an example of using recent apps via the recent app list/multitasking.

This discussion started because I like to close less recent apps out of my recent apps/multitasking to minimize swiping passed them.

 

[Dented]

I think there's a very clear reason why Apple haven't implemented a "close all" button and it's nothing to do with the effort needed to code it, or even the clutter it would add to the interface - it's simply the fact that it would contradict the design philosophy behind the whole system.

When they brought third party multitasking to IOS (and remember they took their time over this in the first place) they made a very conscious effort to do it differently, and get away from the traditional model of multitasking on smartphones which was all about task management, and manual intervention to shut down apps and save battery. I remember all that well - I'm a Symbian and Windows Mobile veteran, I had a few of those older smartphones that demanded constant micro-management of running tasks, and they were a complete PITA. One of Apple's greatest achievements with the iPhone was to dump that model completely.

If Apple had put a "close all" button in there, it would signal to the user that there was some advantage or even a crucial *need* to close all apps, and that would completely negate all the work that went into IOSs ability to manage itself while leading to generally poorer performance for most users, as regularly used apps were forced to reload each time. Pointless.

 

[PNutts]

How can that be if failing to do so has the kind of impact you and others are suggesting? Why we would all be putting up with sluggish performance and battery drain?

Btw it depends on the apps involved, as usual.

I agree it depends on the apps and usage.

You don't have a way to demonstrate that your iPhone is working any better than mine ....

I could sure demonstrate to him what it looks like when an iPod has many applications in the recently used app list and system memory is low and performance is poor.

 

[Dented]

I agree it depends on the apps and usage.

Only in the sense that there are a handful of bad apps out there that may have an effect until you root them out. The answer is to not use those apps, which are generally poor quality anyway, delete them and find alternatives - not to become a slave to the apps list and treat your phone like some kind of malfunctioning PC.

I could sure demonstrate to him what it looks like when an iPod has many applications in the recently used app list and system memory is low and performance is poor.

Such a bizarre thing to say. Like about half the respondents to this poll, I have an iphone right here with many applications in the recently used app list - probably hundreds - there are approx 300 apps on the phone and I never clear out the list. It's already your worst nightmare. Memory (which I never look at normally, but I do have an app for) is currently 7% free apparently. Performance, as always, is fine. That's what I could demonstrate to you, no problem.

 

[C DM]

I appreciate your thought out and educated post. HOWEVER, I don't consider myself using it as a launcher anymore or less then Apple intended it.

If I'm in my phone using Tapatalk lock it and put it in my pocket then say "I need to message so and so, and send an email to someone else". I pull out my phone, unlock it, now it will be where I left it in tapatalk. At this point its faster and more efficient (for me) to just double click the home button and switch to messages, send a message, double tap again open mail. What I just did is an example of using recent apps via the recent app list/multitasking.

This discussion started because I like to close less recent apps out of my recent apps/multitasking to minimize swiping passed them.

I'm definitely not trying to minimize your usage of it (or that of others), or to say that it's not right or good in some way, given that a lot of it comes from personal preferences and ways of doing things, which certainly can and are different for different people (as I essentially mentioned in some earlier posts as well).

I have just been trying to explore some different approaches for what people typically do to get a better understanding of them and in that process in that last post I was more or less trying to reason things out as to why things might be the way they are when it comes to how multitasking/recent apps list is handled in iOS to essentially present what (I think) might be behind it, why it's the way it is, and why Apple hasn't provided certain features or hasn't thought of (or perhaps specifically decided not to) provided certain features.

 

[goobot]

That's the thing, you never have 26 apps open. Never. You might have 26 apps in your recent apps list, but only a few will ever be open at the same time, the others are automatically frozen or shut down altogether. That's how IOS works.

I have around 300 apps on my phone and never clear out the list. It makes no difference.

Actually it does make a small difference, those frozen apps still have to be remembered which uses a bit of ram.

 

[Dented]

Actually it does make a small difference, those frozen apps still have to be remembered which uses a bit of ram.

Do those frozen apps use a tiny bit of ram? Sure. Does that have any impact on performance or battery life? No. It does not. It's how the entire system is designed to work. The end!

 

[goobot]

Do those frozen apps use a tiny bit of ram? Sure. Does that have any impact on performance or battery life? No. It does not. It's how the entire system is designed to work. The end!

Im sure the iPhone 4 on iOS 7 with 100 apps would see some performance issues.

 

[Dented]

Im sure the iPhone 4 on iOS 7 with 100 apps would see some performance issues.

The iPhone 4 would never have 100 apps running, or even 100 apps frozen.

No iPhone would.

The iPhone 10 won't.

That's not how it works!!

 

[C DM]

The iPhone 4 would never have 100 apps running, or even 100 apps frozen.

No iPhone would.

The iPhone 10 won't.

That's not how it works!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lJ0yD-9CDwI

 

[goobot]

The iPhone 4 would never have 100 apps running, or even 100 apps frozen.

No iPhone would.

The iPhone 10 won't.

That's not how it works!!

I just cleared out 5 apps and saw 70 mb increase, iPhone 4 on iOS 7 would see the difference.

 

[Max(IT)]

Nope. Apps with Background Refresh enabled will still run in the background as designed even if "closed" in the multitasking view.

The line you are quoting only applies to the apps that run continuously in the background when using certain background APIs introduced in iOS 4 (music, VOIP, etc.)

Nope ? Because you said so ?
At least read the link, is from Apple website and it is relative to iOS 7 multitasking ...

You can adjust your apps' background activity in Settings > General > Background App Refresh.

When Background App Refresh is on, apps that take advantage of this feature can refresh themselves in the background. For example, an app can check if new content is available and download the updates, or retrieve the updated content in the background when it receives a push notification, so the new content is ready for viewing when you launch the app. Apps can also schedule background refreshing based on your location. If you force an app to quit by dragging it up from the multitasking display, it won't be able to do its background activities, such as tracking location or responding to VoIP calls, until you relaunch the app.

It speaks about iOS 7 background app refresh and has nothing to do with iOS 4 ....
Nothing, except system services , can run on background if you quit it from the multitasking display.

 

[Dented]

I just cleared out 5 apps and saw 70 mb increase, iPhone 4 on iOS 7 would see the difference.

And tell me, what are you going to do with your newly released 70mb? Eat it? Save it for a rainy day? Take it on a skiing break? Or, you know, use it to run applications?!

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lJ0yD-9CDwI

Like it!

 

[notrack]

I think there's a very clear reason why Apple haven't implemented a "close all" button and it's nothing to do with the effort needed to code it, or even the clutter it would add to the interface - it's simply the fact that it would contradict the design philosophy behind the whole system.

When they brought third party multitasking to IOS (and remember they took their time over this in the first place) they made a very conscious effort to do it differently, and get away from the traditional model of multitasking on smartphones which was all about task management, and manual intervention to shut down apps and save battery. I remember all that well - I'm a Symbian and Windows Mobile veteran, I had a few of those older smartphones that demanded constant micro-management of running tasks, and they were a complete PITA. One of Apple's greatest achievements with the iPhone was to dump that model completely.

If Apple had put a "close all" button in there, it would signal to the user that there was some advantage or even a crucial *need* to close all apps, and that would completely negate all the work that went into IOSs ability to manage itself while leading to generally poorer performance for most users, as regularly used apps were forced to reload each time. Pointless.

I agree with that. iOS is really good at that but there is more.

Whether it is useful to manually close apps or not depends on which apps the user typically uses. If you just text and take photos, no problem. But if you typically use apps that are designed to keep running in background, it makes sense to stop them when not needed any more.

The concern that a close all function would communicate the need to do so I understand, but that's a question of how it is visually implemented.

 

[fardeenah]

i admit i close the apps out of habit, i've been trying to minimize that, so now i close only the app that i will not likely to use for a while and keep my most used app in the background/ app switcher

 

[Shuri]

Hmm. I'm browsing Apple.com not finding the proper way to use what they call "Multitasking".

I need a link with directions please.

EDIT : Actually the more I search Apple.com the more I find there is no right or wrong way to use it and it pretty much just says to quickly get back to your app to use it. So yeah I need that link...

When did I say the way you use it is wrong

I need a link with the post, where I wrote this..

I didn't say it's wrong, just not the way apple designed it for:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5137

No mentioning closing apps to reorganize your recent apps list.

But please don't get me wrong: You can use it however it works out for you, that's cool!

 

[Zxxv]

I appreciate your thought out and educated post. HOWEVER, I don't consider myself using it as a launcher anymore or less then Apple intended it.

If I'm in my phone using Tapatalk lock it and put it in my pocket then say "I need to message so and so, and send an email to someone else". I pull out my phone, unlock it, now it will be where I left it in tapatalk. At this point its faster and more efficient (for me) to just double click the home button and switch to messages, send a message, double tap again open mail. What I just did is an example of using recent apps via the recent app list/multitasking.

This discussion started because I like to close less recent apps out of my recent apps/multitasking to minimize swiping passed them.

Yea but thats less efficient and slower because its 3 or more button presses, opposed to 2.

double click home - If apps visible choose app = 3 presses
double click home - If apps not visible scroll screen - if apps visible choose app =4 presses (more if app not visible)

as opposed to

click home - see app on home screen and choose app = 2 presses

because were talking about most used apps they should be on your homescreen right?

 

[Max(IT)]

And tell me, what are you going to do with your newly released 70mb? Eat it? Save it for a rainy day? Take it on a skiing break? Or, you know, use it to run applications?!

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Like it!

Those 70 Mb could make a difference for the next app you're going to open to work or crash .... Especially if it will be Safari.

 

[Dented]

Those 70 Mb could make a difference for the next app you're going to open to work or crash .... Especially if it will be Safari.

You religiously close apps and obviously have issues with safari crashing, I don't touch the running apps and have no problems with safari whatsoever. What does this tell us? Probably nothing except that you're running 64bit IOSand I'm not, and 64bit safari has problems which are completely unrelated to this thread.