Background App Refresh on iPhone is a feature that enables apps to download updates and new content automatically. Additionally, it continuously updates apps running in the background. Your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch all come with the attribute turned on by default. Although it updates your programs and is helpful in many ways, it can also deplete your battery and consume all of your data. In this article, we will explain how to turn on and off this feature in detail.
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What is Background App Refresh on iPhone?
Apps can update their content with the help of the BAR. As a result, they can operate efficiently and provide reliable performance. When this functionality is turned on, apps can do several tasks in the background. You will see the most recent headlines, just like when you open news applications.
Aside from that, Cloud storage providers automatically sync your files, and apps that track your mobile data usage continue to measure in the background. Using social media apps also eliminates the need to wait for the newest updates and refresh the feed. You must force-stop any apps that you don’t want to get updates for. Notifications are unaffected by Background App Refresh. You will still receive notifications when a new message is received, for instance, even if you disable the messaging app capability.
How to Turn Background App Refresh iPhone On or Off
When Background App Refresh is enabled, apps are allowed to update their content continuously. This drains the battery and uses the internet. Hence, you can disable Background App Refresh on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch to conserve cellular data and increase battery life. Follow the steps below to know how to turn on or off this feature:
1. Turn Off Background App Refresh
What you need to disable Background App Refresh on your iPhone is as follows:
1. Open Settings on your iPhone and tap on General.
2. Then, choose the Background App Refresh option from the list.
3. Now, select the Background App Refresh option again.
4. Lastly, tap Off.
Also Read: What is Background App Refresh on Android?
2. Turn On Background App Refresh
Here’s how to quickly switch on background activity if you turned off the functionality and then decide you want it back on:
1. Follow steps 1-3 as stated above.
2. Now, the background app refresh feature can be enabled on Wi-Fi only or for both Wi-Fi & mobile data.
3. For Selected Apps
Follow the steps below to disable Background App Refresh for specific apps:
1. Follow steps 1-3 as explained above to access Background App Refresh.
2. Now, you can turn off/on the toggle next to any app. Turning the feature off for the apps that you don’t often use is a good idea.
Effect of Background App Refresh on iPhone Battery
Every function on your iPhone or iPad consumes battery life and internet bandwidth to download updates from the internet. Even when they’re operating in the background, this is still true.
Despite using less power when running through Background App Refresh, suspended apps can still drain your battery if you keep a lot of them open. In general, an app requires more resources to function in the background the more notifications it sends you.
This trade-off is required if you want quick multitasking and app updates. However, you can increase your battery life and data plan by turning off Background App Refresh if you don’t care about such convenience.
Also Read: Top 7 Fixes for Background App Refresh Not Working on iPhone
What Happens If I Disable Background App Refresh?
Two things can happen on turning off the background app refresh:
First, background app refresh is enabled by default on both mobile data connections and Wi-Fi connections. It can result in additional charges on your bill if you have a limited data plan because apps can use a lot of data in the background. Disabling it will help you save your data and money.
Battery life is another reason to disable the feature. Applications running behind the scenes consume battery power very much like when you run them in the forefront. If you turn off background app refresh, it will help you save the battery on your Apple phone.
You can choose which apps need to refresh in the background based on your preferences. In general, you should enable it for applications you frequently use and disable it for applications you rarely open.
With the background app refresh on iPhone turned off, most apps will work normally. However, it must be turned on for some apps. So, you shouldn’t switch it off for all applications. We hope that our guide on this feature of the iPhone has provided you with necessary information. Don’t forget to share your views or suggestions in the comments section below.
