Do you have too many apps on your iPhone, and it’s making your device run slow? Maybe some apps take up too much space, but don’t want to delete them because you’ll lose all your data? Whatever the reason may be, turning off apps without deleting them can save precious space on your iPhone and improve its performance. In this blog post, we’ll teach you how to turn off apps without deleting them and give you some recommendations on how to keep your iPhone running smoothly.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we dive into the different methods to turn off apps without deleting them, there are a few things you’ll need:
- Your iPhone
- Your iPhone’s passcode
- Your iPhone’s charger
What Requires Your Focus?
Before we get started, it is essential to understand that turning off apps without deleting them is a temporary fix. Turning off an app won’t remove it from your iPhone completely; it will only stop it from running in the background until you turn it back on. Some apps are set to run in the background by default, such as music and podcast apps, which are necessary for them to continue playing. So before you turn an app off, make sure you know what its functions are and whether you need them running in the background.
Different Methods to Turn Off Apps Without Deleting Them on iPhone
Method 1: Via App Switcher
Using the app switcher is a quick and easy way to turn off apps without deleting them on your iPhone.
- Swipe up from the bottom of your home screen and pause in the middle of the screen to bring up the app switcher.
- Swipe left or right to find the app that you want to turn off.
- Swipe up the app’s preview to close it.
Pros:
- Quick and easy to use.
- Does not require any additional tools or apps
Cons:
- Apps may automatically restart in the background soon after turning them off.
- Not helpful in permanently stopping an app from taking up space on your device.
Method 2: Disable Background App Refresh
Disabling the background app refresh feature stops apps from updating data when you’re not using them, thus preventing them from using too much of your iPhone’s resources.
- Go to your iPhone’s Settings App.
- Select “General.”
- Choose “Background App Refresh.”
- Turn off the Background App refresh for the app you want to turn off.
Pros:
- Helps conserve battery life and cellular data
Cons:
- Some apps require background app refresh to function correctly.
- Not an effective way to stop apps from running in the background.
Method 3: Disable Push Notifications
Push notifications pop up on your iPhone’s screen when an app wants to communicate something to you. Turning off notifications from certain apps is an excellent way to stop them from running in the background for an extended period.
- Go to your iPhone’s Settings App.
- Select “Notifications”.
- Select the app that you want to turn off.
- Toggle off the Allow Notifications button.
Pros:
- Saves battery life and storage
Cons:
- You may miss out on important updates from the app
- Not helpful in completely stopping an app from taking up space on your device.
Method 4: Force Quit the App
Force quitting an app closes it and stops it from running in the background. However, just like with the app switcher, force quitting an app is only a temporary fix.
- Swipe up from the bottom of your home screen and pause in the middle of the screen to bring up the app switcher.
- Swipe left or right to find the app that you want to force quit.
- Swipe up the app’s preview to close it.
Pros:
- Can help with app performance issues.
Cons:
- Apps may automatically restart soon after force quitting.
- Not helpful in permanently stopping an app from taking up space on your device.
Method 5: Using Screen Time
Screen Time allows you to set a time limit for each app that you have on your iPhone. You can also set up app-specific access codes on Screen Time on iOS 13 or later to keep curious users from using specific apps on your device.
- Go to your iPhone’s Settings App.
- Tap on “Screen Time”.
- Select “App Limits”.
- Choose the app that you want to turn off.
- Set the app limit to zero to turn off the app.
Pros:
- Helps you track what apps are taking the most time on your device.
- Allows for more extensive control over individual apps.
Cons:
- Requires more effort and time to set up and manage
Why Can’t I Turn Off Apps Without Deleting Them iPhone?
1. App is Required by iOS
A few apps such as the Phone and Settings app are required for iOS to run correctly. If you attempt to turn off or delete them, it may cause your device to malfunction.
Q1: How do I know which apps are required by iOS?
A: You can’t delete or turn off apps that are built into iOS, such as Phone, Messages, or Settings. To identify them, you can try to delete them. If it’s not possible, then you can assume they are required.
2. Text Messages
If you have iMessage or SMS enabled on your device, deleting or turning off Apple’s message app (Messages) will cause all of your text messages to go missing.
Q1: Will my messages be completely deleted when I turn off Messages?
A: No. Your messages will be safe and will reappear when you enable Messages again.
3. Personal Data
Turning off an app may cause you to lose all the data stored within that app. If you don’t have a backup method, it may cause you to lose all your personal data, including photos, videos, and notes.
Q1: How can I back up my iPhone?
A: You can back up your iPhone by going to “Settings > iCloud > iCloud Backup.” Turn on the iCloud Backup switch and then tap “Back Up Now.”
Implications and Recommendations
Turning off apps without deleting them may improve your iPhone performance, but it’s essential to remember that it’s only a temporary fix and not a permanent solution. Before turning off an app, make sure you know what its functions are and whether you need them running in the background.
Here are some recommendations on how to keep your iPhone running smoothly:
- Delete apps that you don’t need or use.
- Turn off Siri suggestions for apps that you don’t use frequently.
- Turn off automatic app updates in the App Store settings to conserve data and battery.
5 FAQs about How to Turn Off Apps Without Deleting Them on iPhone
Q1: Can I turn off system apps on my iPhone?
A: No. You can’t delete or turn off apps that are built into iOS, such as Phone, Messages, or Settings.
Q2: Can I turn off apps on my iPhone permanently?
A: No. Turning off an app is only a temporary fix.
Q3: Can I limit the use of apps on my iPhone?
A: Yes. You can use Screen Time to set a time limit for each app that you have on your iPhone.
Q4: Can I still receive notifications from turned-off apps?
A: No. Once you turn off notifications for an app, you won’t receive notifications from it.
Q5: How can I tell which apps are running in the background on my iPhone?
A: Double click the Home button to open up the App Switcher and see which apps are running and swipe away any apps that you want to close.
Final Words
Turning off apps without deleting them can help keep your iPhone running smoothly and improve its performance. However, it is essential to understand that it is only a temporary fix and that you should regularly remove or disable apps that you don’t need. We hope that our guide has been helpful to you.