How to open the app switcher using 3D Touch on iPhone

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3D Touch app switching
3D Touch does more than home screen shortcuts.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

3D Touch lets us do a lot of things on the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, but not everyone is familiar with all of its capabilities. One of the functions that often goes unnoticed is the ability to open the app switcher with a simple 3D Touch gesture.

Here’s how to use it.

Since the app switcher was added to iPhone and iPad with iOS 4 in 2010, invoking it has required a double-click of the home button. It’s pretty quick and simple, but iPhone 6s owners now have an even easier way of accessing it that won’t wear out that physical key.

All you need to do is press on the left edge of your iPhone’s display, then drag your finger or thumb towards the center of the screen. The app switcher will appear immediately, and you’ll be able to quickly find and dive into the app you want.

Here’s a video of the gesture in action:

If you’ve been an iPhone owner for years and you’re used to double-clicking the home button, using this 3D Touch gesture instead may take a bit of getting used to. But the simplicity of it makes it worthwhile in the end.

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