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Cannot Delete Apps In Multitasking Window

This occured two different times today! I could only "fix" it by powering off the iPhone and then powering it back up.

I double-clicked the HOME button to open the multitasking window. I wished to stop the running apps. I usually do this by selecting and holding an icon until it jiggles and shows a red "x" at which time I can then delete the icons out of the window. I could NOT accomplish this ! Here's what happened:

I double-clicked the HOME button to open the multitasking window. I TRIED to select an icon so that I could hold it until it would jiggle and show a red "x"; however, instead, as soon as I touched an icon it would immediately turn a slightly darker color and then the multitasking window would immediately shut. I repeatedly tried to open that multitasking window and tried to select any icon. Yet, each time, the moment I touched an icon, it would immediatley darken slightly in color and the multitasking window would instantly shut.

I had to power down the iPhone/re-power it. Then, I would try to shut down the apps and I would no longer have the problem.

This is a capricious problem!

Please update the iPhone 4 Firmware with fixes.

iPhone 4, iOS 4, 8 Apps Were Under Multitasking Windw

Posted on Jun 28, 2010 10:21 PM

Reply
14 replies

Jun 28, 2010 10:50 PM in response to PLexxiTronic

What do you think you're accomplishing by deleting from the "multitasking window?" It is really more a "Recent Apps" window. The OS is designed so that you don't have to worry about such things, it takes care of apps in the background, and shutting them down, for you.

With a reboot, none of the apps are running, the "multitasking" interface is just an easy way to open an app you've previously used.

Welcome to the forums, and enjoy the phone.

Joel.

Jun 29, 2010 3:27 PM in response to PLexxiTronic

Joel Hall:

Judging by the arrogant tone of your contribution, I figure that you must be an Applehead. You state the Apple's design intentions; I state the reality of what exists--there is a problem. You state the OS will take care of me; however, I think for myself and take care of my own destiny.

Okay, let's go by your words for a second. You say, "the 'multitasking' interface is just an easy way to open an app you've previously used". Did you not hear part of the problem description where I say, "Yet, each time, the moment I touched an icon, it would immediatley darken slightly in color and the multitasking window would instantly shut"?

I mean what I say by "instantly shut". It shuts! The icon I happened to have pressed does NOT "open an app [I've] previously used." The window SHUTS! It is so fast that I don't even have a moment to remove my finger before another icon (that is on the main desktop) slides down under my finger and IT opens up--a completely new and different App! And this compounds the problem.

Again, let's use your words. You say, "What do you think you're accomplishing by deleting from the "'multitasking window'"? I will describe my thinking:

Prior to my desire to quit all the apps, I find that the iPhone has not only become very sluggish in operation, but, some apps, such as Mail, start funtioning VERY erratically, quickly moving a screen I'm touching to another screen which I never asked it to go. Also, I can try to select buttons in the app and they start sending me to unrequested screens or jump out of the app altogether.

I know that not all my Apps have been iOS4-tested. I presume Apple's Apps work fine. And from what I'm seeing, I'm thinking that some Apps that may not work well with iOS4 are tromping over memory that may be being used by other Apps. I think this is causing sluggishness and erratic App behavior--mind you, it is only my guess. THEREFORE, I WANT TO DELETE ALL THE APPS to see if the sluggishness goes away. I also WANT TO SELECTIVELY DELETE APPS, to try and determine the culprit App.

These are useful actions.

I also stated the problem I was seeing (as I am also trying to solve my own issues with iPhone 4 Apps) to APPLE, via forum, so that they would be aware of a problem. Perhaps I can be one voice to many others.

As it stands for me now: I am suggesting to:

1) take all non-iOS4 Apps OFF the iPhone and wait until they get upgraded.

2) If/When they do get upgraded, perhaps load only one on at a time, testing if for a few days myself to make sure the phone doesn't go sluggish or erratic.

3) Ask Apple HERE IN THE FORUM to put a filter in iTunes that will only show Apps from its store that are VALID for the device that is requesting them--BY IPHONE FIRMWARE VERSION.

Multitasking is a significant change in software. So significant, that one cannot assume pre-existing Apps will automatically function in the new environment (though the Apple software tools solve lots of these issues, they cannot be all-inclusive).

Joel, try to take it down a notch with the proselytizing, trying to be more helpful instead.

Jun 29, 2010 4:08 PM in response to PLexxiTronic

I just noticed something significant to this issue: Cannot Delete Apps In Multitasking Window.

1) When my iPhone 4 is connected to the AC Power Adapter and plugged into the AC Power (Mains), the problems exhibit themselves.

2) I can disconnect the cord at the 30-pin connector at the iPhone and the problems instantly go away.

3) When re-connecting to the 30-pin back to the iPhone, the problems instantly return.

This is GREAT! This could very well be solved with a firmware update. SOMEHOW, this problem thread needs to get to the iPhone Development Team (I don't know how to do it). YEA!

Jun 29, 2010 4:23 PM in response to PLexxiTronic

Thank you StephenB4:

You are correct in that I should not be having these problems. But they are real and do exist. Thank you for your suggestion. Yes, I had already restored the iPhone, but the problem continued.

HEY! I think we BOTH posted at (nearly) the same time because I now believe that I understand what is causing the issues! If you know how this thread can get to the iPhone 4 Development Team, please forward it because I do not know how to do it. I now think Apple can solve this with a firmware update AND I now have a workaround!!!

Jun 29, 2010 4:32 PM in response to PLexxiTronic

Thanks again. When I get back to Seattle, I will spend the time to restore once again (yes, it IS a pain).

However, this iPhone was initially set up as a NEW phone--I did not use the backup feature that I could have used for going from my 3G to the 4. No. I started this phone as NEW and then installed, from scratch, any music, tv, movies, podcasts, apps, etc. Then, I spent the time to re-set up all the indivual configuration data.

When the problem first showed itself, I did a RESTORE. Then, the problem showed itself twice in one day (yesterday), which prompted me to tell someone (the FORUM, hopefully getting to APPLE).

I will try your link now. Thanks again.

Jun 29, 2010 4:33 PM in response to Joel Hall

Is it normal for the apps in the multitasking bar to still be there after turning the phone off and on again? Also, is it normal for them to still be there after a soft reset? Because that's what I'm experiencing. I can close them myself, but if I don't they seem to stay there forever, even after restarting the phone. That doesn't seem normal.

Jun 29, 2010 4:56 PM in response to PLexxiTronic

The reason I call this "Answered" is because I believe I stumbled upon how to repeat the problem; how to work around the problem; and, with help, how to forward this problem/thread to the iPhone 4 Development Team.

I will also, once again, set-up my iPhone as a NEW PHONE; however, I suspect Apple will be able to reproduce this issue and will be able to fix it in a firmware release (as I tend to think the software can work around the hardware in this instance).

Jun 29, 2010 8:19 PM in response to PLexxiTronic

PLexxiTronic wrote:
Joel Hall:

Judging by the arrogant tone of your contribution, I figure that you must be an Applehead.


I'd say it is my signature that gives the impression that I'm an Applehead, and perhaps arrogant. ::grin:: It's true, I am (an Applehead). And I do love to help people have an optimal experience of their Apple gear. Perhaps surprisingly in the current circumstances, I often do succeed with that goal.

I read and re-read my post, I acknowledge that it wasn't my best work, but I still don't see it as arrogant. I do apologize that I wasn’t in peak form and that my advice wasn't totally appropriate, and that you didn't take that well. It was my intention to help you, not to frustrate you with how I responded to your request for help.

I stand by my suggestion that there is no reason to delete from the "multitasking" interface. I understood that your issue was when you were trying to delete the apps, not access them. If your post was titled, "Cannot Access Apps in Multitasking Window," I would have taken a different tack on the problem. But either way there is a problem that shouldn't be happening and I'm sorry I missed that aspect and your experience of my "help" was affected by that. Thank goodness SteveB4 was standing by to actually help.

As an aside, I think if I was experiencing this problem with the phone and had already tried a "Restore to New Phone," I'd consider restoring from my old 3G (which I didn't know about in your initial post, assuming it was running well, and I'd not consider this if it wasn't) and see how that works.

Good luck. Joel.

Jun 29, 2010 8:22 PM in response to PLexxiTronic

PLexxiTronic wrote:
I double-clicked the HOME button to open the multitasking window. I wished to stop the running apps. I usually do this by selecting and holding an icon until it jiggles and shows a red "x" at which time I can then delete the icons out of the window. I could NOT accomplish this !


No kidding. You don't get a red X but instead a red -

Phil

Jul 12, 2010 7:22 PM in response to PLexxiTronic

I have learned new, additional information about this problem that I thought I'd share since the last time I logged into this post:

On 02-Jul-2010, my iPhone 4 suddenly switched and said "No Service" as I was driving on the I-5 corridor through Portland, OR. This status remained for the next 175 miles until I drove into Apple Store, Tukwila, WA. At the "Genius Bar", it was determined to swap out my phone for a new iPhone. The Repair No was: R33742242 and the serial number of the turned-in iPhone was: 88023YBNA4T. (I'm mentioning this because I wish to forward this thread to Apple Development).

This "No Service" problem completely superceded the problem I described in this thread. However, while at the store, I attempted to reproduce this problem as well. I could not! There was a difference that I could determine. Whereas, at the store, I was plugged into an AC outlet; on the road, I was plugged into a 1500Watt, 15Amp inverter.

So, on this repair ticket, I made sure two issues were written:

1) Phone said "No Service" between Portland, OR to Apple, Tukwila, WA (and the Genius also wrote, Phone lost service);

2)(The Genius wrote, screen seems to not be functioning properly when hooked up to an inverter 150W 15 amp) and I added: a) but okay on battery, b) Apps hypersensitive and not functioning, c) cannot delete apps in Multitasking Window, d) repeatable problem, e) iPhone 3G worked fine for two years on inverter.

======

So, now I had a new phone that was created as "new" and was only activated--nothing else was added. The store was closed, so I left as soon as possible.

I took this phone back to my Semi-Truck to test it on the inverter. AGAIN, I HAD THE PROBLEM LISTED IN THIS THREAD! Hmmm. I took the phone inside to a regular AC outlet. NO PROBLEMS! I took the phone back to the truck; and, again, the problem appeared and was repeatable. So, at this point it was looking like the inverter was the issue. However, WHY did my iPhone 3G work fine (using iOS4)?

I realized that I was using the Apple USB Power Adapter and Apple Dock Connector to USB Cable that I had originally received with my iPhone 3G. So, I swapped out the Apple Connector to USB Cable with the new one that came with the iPhone 4 but still used the Apple USB Power Adapter that came with the iPhone 3G. I STILL COULD REPEAT THE PROBLEM IN DESCRIBED IN THIS THREAD.

Next, keeping the new Apple Connector to USB Cable, I swapped out the Apple USB Power Adapter, now using the one that came with the iPhone 4. NO MORE PROBLEMS!

Hmmm.

So, I then used a Griffin PowerJolt SE, 12-Volt "Car Adapter" for iPad (2.1 Amp) product to power the iPhone 4 (not using the inverter in this case): NO PROBLEMS!

So, I then used a Griffin PowerJolt SE, 12-Volt "Car Adapter" for iPhone (1 Amp) product to power the iPhone 4 (not using the inverter in this case): NO PROBLEMS!

Back to the inverter, I then used the Apple 10W USB Power Adapter (from my iPad): again, NO PROBLEMS!

I then used the Apple iPhone 4 Dock: again, NO PROBLEMS!

=====

All right. I then went back to use the Apple USB Power Adapter that I originally got with my iPhone 3G: THE PROBLEM RETURNED AND IT WAS REPEATABLE!!!

I remember back when I first got the iPhone 3G. At that time, there was a problem with the Apple USB Power Adapter and Apple notified everyone who got the iPhone 3G that they were going to swap out that power adapter with a new one. I no longer remember what the problem was that they discovered. However, I was eventually called into Apple Store, where, I turned in my power adapter and received a new one. The new one had a yellow/green dot on it to distinguish it from the old adapter.

The model number I see on this USB Power Adapter is: A1265. The serial number is difficult to read, but I believe it is: 1X8380FGS9T. And, as I mentioned, it worked just fine with the iPhone 3G over the last two years and with the newly installed iOS4. IT DOES NOT WORK WITH THE IPHONE 4! NOT ONLY AM I NOT ABLE TO DELETE APPS IN THE MULTITASKING WINDOW, THESE APPLE-WRITTEN APPS RUN ERRATICALLY, HAVING THE SCREEN JUMP AROUND AND OPENING WINDOWS/BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT REQUESTED.

This is really weird.

I can give Apple this Power Adapter if they want to try to repeat the problem or to test it in some other way if they want it.

In the mean time. By using the Apple USB Power Adapter that came boxed with the iPhone 4, all of the Apps work fine, as you'd expect, all while using the ample power supplied by the 1500WATT, 15AMP power inverter.

=====

This was long; but, I hope it helps others as well as Apple when they receive the repair ticket.

=====

BTW, So far, the new iPhone 4 has been working great on all cylinders 🙂

Cannot Delete Apps In Multitasking Window

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