Switch apps on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
Learn how to quickly switch from one app to another. Then when you switch back, you can pick up right where you left off.
Switch apps on iPhone X or later, and iPad
If you have an iPhone X or later, or an iPad:
Swipe up from the bottom to the middle of your screen and hold until you see the App Switcher.
Swipe left or right to find the app that you want to use.
Tap the app.
If you have a Smart Keyboard or Bluetooth keyboard paired to your iPad, press Command-Tab to switch between apps.
Switch apps with the Home button
If you have an iPhone or an iPad with a Home button:
Double-click the Home button to see recently used apps.
Swipe left or right to find the app that you want to use.
Tap the app.
Use Background App Refresh
After you switch to a different app, some apps run for a short period of time before they're set to a suspended state. Apps that are in a suspended state aren’t actively in use, open, or taking up system resources. With Background App Refresh, suspended apps can check for updates and new content.
If you want suspended apps to check for new content, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn on Background App Refresh. If you quit an app from the app switcher, it might not be able to run or check for new content before you open it again.
Learn more
Use Multitasking features on your iPad to work with multiple apps at the same time.
Learn what to do if an app unexpectedly quits, stops responding, or won't open.
Find out how to change settings on your device to maximize battery life.
