Introduction
Have you ever wondered how your apps always seem up-to-date, even when you’re not actively using them? It’s all thanks to a nifty feature called Background App Refresh. But what if you want to manage this feature to save battery life or data? In this article, I’ll walk you through turning Background App Refresh on or off on your iPhone or iPad, giving you more control over your device’s performance.
Some of the images associated with the steps are included inline below. All images associated with these steps can be seen in the embedded YouTube video. Also, please note that you’re not able to leave a comment directly on this article. If you have a question or feedback, please leave it on the YouTube video.
Steps to Turn Background App Refresh On or Off on iPhone or iPad
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. You’ll land on the Settings screen.
- Tap “General” in this menu. The General screen is displayed.
- Tap “Background App Refresh” in this menu. Background App Refresh options are shown.
- Tap “Background App Refresh” again at the top of the screen. A menu opens with options for enabling or disabling the background app refresh feature on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap to place a check mark next to “Wifi” if you only want to use background app refresh for your iPhone or iPad apps when you’re connected to Wifi. Or, tap to place a check mark next to “Wifi and Cellular Data” if you want to refresh your iPhone or iPad apps in the background when you’re connected to either Wifi or cellular data. Alternatively, if you ever get to a point where you want to turn off the background app refresh feature, you can easily return to this screen and tap to place a check mark next to “Off.”
5 Reasons to Use Background App Refresh on iPhone or iPad
1. Receive Real-time Updates
Enabling background app refresh on an iPhone or iPad ensures users receive immediate notifications and content updates. This feature is crucial for apps like messaging or news, where timely information is essential. It keeps apps running in the background up-to-date. As a result, when users open the app, they see the latest messages or news without delay. This functionality enhances the user experience by eliminating waiting times for content to refresh.
2. Maintain Location Accuracy
For navigation or fitness tracking apps, background app refresh is vital. It allows these apps to continuously update and provide accurate location data. This is particularly important for apps that track your running route or give turn-by-turn directions. With background refresh enabled, these apps can operate seamlessly in the background, ensuring that every movement is accurately recorded and reflected in real time. Users benefit from precise and dependable location tracking, which enhances app reliability and effectiveness.
3. Improve App Performance
When background app refresh is on, apps can pre-load content and perform routine updates. This means that apps can manage their memory and data more effectively. They can clear cache, update content, and perform necessary checks without user intervention. This proactive management helps in reducing app crashes and improving overall speed. Users experience smoother and faster app interactions, as the apps are well-maintained and optimized even when not in active use.
4. Sync Data Across Devices
For those using multiple devices, keeping data synchronized is essential. Background app refresh facilitates this by allowing apps to sync updates and changes in the background. For example, if you edit a document on your iPad, the changes can automatically update on your iPhone. This seamless sync ensures that users have access to the most current files and information across all devices, boosting productivity and ensuring consistency in data handling.
5. Execute Background Downloads
Users who download content from apps like podcasts, music, or video streaming services benefit from background app refresh. It enables apps to download new content automatically as soon as it becomes available. This feature is particularly useful for keeping entertainment or educational content up-to-date without needing to manually start downloads each time. Users can enjoy new episodes of podcasts or videos right when they launch the app, enhancing convenience and user satisfaction.
5 Reasons to Turn Off Background App Refresh on iPhone or iPad
1. Battery Life Improvement
Turning off background app refresh can significantly extend your device’s battery life. When this setting is active, apps can update content in the background, which consumes power. By disabling it, only the apps in use actively draw power, reducing the overall energy consumption. This is particularly beneficial if you’re away from a charging source for extended periods. It ensures that your device retains power longer, making it more reliable throughout the day.
2. Data Usage Reduction
Disabling background app refresh can help conserve your mobile data usage. Apps often update their content automatically when this feature is enabled, leading to substantial data consumption without direct user action. By turning it off, updates occur only when you open the app and are connected to Wi-Fi, if preferred. This control over data use is crucial for users with limited data plans or those who travel in areas with expensive or limited data connectivity.
3. Enhanced Device Performance
Keeping background app refresh enabled can slow down your device. Each app that refreshes in the background consumes processing power and memory. By turning off this feature, you free up these resources, allowing your device to run smoother and more efficiently. This is especially noticeable in older devices that may struggle with processing multiple actions simultaneously. Enhanced performance can lead to quicker app response times and a more pleasant user experience.
4. Increased Privacy and Security
Disabling background app refresh can boost your device’s security and privacy. With this feature active, apps can send and receive data in the background, potentially exposing you to security risks if the app has vulnerabilities. By turning it off, you ensure that apps only transfer data when you are actively using them and can monitor their activity. This proactive approach helps safeguard your personal information from unauthorized access and reduces potential security threats.
5. Control Over Content Updates
Turning off background app refresh allows for more control over when apps update their content. With the feature enabled, apps might refresh at inconvenient times, using outdated information before you can view the latest updates manually. By disabling it, you can choose when to update content, ensuring you see the freshest information at a time that suits you. This control is particularly useful for news apps or financial applications where real-time information is crucial.
