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Regaining Control

Forcing Unresponsive Apps to Quit

Part 3 of 4  

Apple — iPhone and iPads

As in Parts 1and 2, the scenario is the same; you’re using your iPhone or iPad as usual but either the app freezes or your screen is taken over by a warning screen. The screen probably has a message telling you that your device is at risk, has been infected, or one of countless variations all intending to scare you into calling a phone number or some other way to try to separate you from your money. Don’t fall for it! 

The easiest solution is to close the app. Since iPhones and iPads work differently than computers, you will need to take a slightly different approach. You will need to force an app to close rather than simply returning to the Home Screen. The methods below will lead you thru the short process.

iOS Devices (iPhones and iPads) — Depending if your iPhone or iPad has a Home Button or not select the appropriate method below:

Devices with a Home button:

1. Quickly double-press the circular Home button to see all open apps.

2. Swipe right or left to find the app you want to close.

3. Drag the app’s card all the way up to force quit it.

Devices without a Home Button:

1. Swipe up from the screen’s bottom part while in an app or on the home screen. Pause for a few seconds as you still press the screen and only let go of it once the App Switcher pops up. 

2. All the opened apps will appear on your iPhone or iPad as a list with large thumbnails.

3. Swipe left or right to navigate through the thumbnails to locate the app you’re looking to close. 

4. Force close the app by swiping it up from the app thumbnail list.

The app has been forced to close and you can tap on another app in the Switcher to begin using that app or click the background to return to the Home Screen.

Part 4 will cover how to perform this task while using an Android phone or tablet.

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