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To restart an app on your iPhone, close it from the App Switcher, then open it again from the Home Screen or App Library. Use the steps for your iPhone’s design below; restarting an app is different from restarting the iPhone.

Close and reopen the app

  1. Open the App Switcher using the instructions for your iPhone model below.
  2. Swipe left or right through the app previews until you find the app that is frozen or unresponsive.
  3. Swipe up on that app’s preview to quit it.
  4. Return to the Home Screen or open the App Library, then tap the app to launch it again.

Apple’s iPhone User Guide recommends quitting and reopening an app that is not responding.

Open the App Switcher on your iPhone

iPhone model Open App Switcher Find and close the app
iPhone X and later From the Home Screen, swipe up from the bottom edge and pause near the middle of the screen until the App Switcher appears. Swipe left or right through the previews, then swipe up on the app’s preview.
iPhone SE, iPhone 8, and earlier Double-click the Home button. Swipe left or right through the previews, then swipe up on the app’s preview.

These model-specific gestures are described in Apple’s instructions for closing an app.

When to close an app—and when not to

Quit an app when it is frozen or unresponsive. You do not need to routinely close apps to save battery: Apple says iPhone manages background apps automatically and that quitting apps you are not using does not prolong battery life. Apple also notes that quitting an app from the App Switcher might stop it from running or checking for new content until you open it again; see its guide to switching apps.

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#1 Best Overall
Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
  • Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
  • The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
  • Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.

Force-quitting an app unnecessarily can also make reopening it slower because the app has to reload its data, according to Apple’s slow-device guidance.

If the app still will not open or respond

If closing and reopening does not resolve the issue, try Apple’s troubleshooting sequence. These steps may not fix every app, and deleting an app can remove data stored in it.

Rank #2
Apple iPhone 16, 128GB, Pink - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000nits (typ), 2000nits (HBM), 2556x1179px at 460ppi, 3561mAh Battery
  • 128GB 8GB RAM, Apple A18 (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz), Apple GPU 5-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
  • Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.5
  • 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 5G: n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79 - Dual eSIM
  • Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
  1. Restart the iPhone, then try opening the app again. This restarts the device, not just the app.
  2. Check the App Store for an update to the app. If there is no app update, check for an iOS update.
  3. As a later step, delete the app and download it again. Be aware that deleting it may erase data stored in the app.
  4. If the app came from the App Store and still does not work, contact the app’s developer.

For the full sequence, see Apple’s troubleshooting steps for an app that stops responding, closes unexpectedly, or will not open. If the entire iPhone is frozen or the screen is not responding to touch, app force-quitting is not the same as restarting the phone; follow Apple’s device-restart instructions for your model.

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Storage and broader slowdowns

Apple recommends keeping at least 1 GB of free storage to help avoid slowdowns in its general iPhone and iPad guidance. That is a general performance recommendation, not a requirement for closing or restarting an app.

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Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.; Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
$300.00
Bestseller No. 3
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU; Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
$405.00
Bestseller No. 4
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.; Product may come in generic Box.
$262.00
Best Value
Apple iPhone 16e, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
  • 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
  • Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
  • Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
  • Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
Rank #4
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
  • There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
  • This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
  • Product may come in generic Box.
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Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.