What Is Background App Refresh? A Simple Guide

Background App Refresh allows apps to check for new information while you are not actively using them. On an iPhone, it can help an app prepare updated content before you open it again. It does not mean every app runs continuously, and it does not guarantee that every update will happen immediately. Apple controls when background activity can take place to balance freshness, performance and battery use.

Quick Facts: Background App Refresh

• Main purpose: Allows supported apps to check for new content in the background.

• Main device: The term is most commonly associated with iPhone and iPad.

• Location on iPhone: Settings → General → Background App Refresh.

• Does it run all the time? No. iOS decides when apps receive background time.

• Does it use data? It can use Wi-Fi or mobile data, depending on your settings.

• Does turning it off delete apps or messages? No. It mainly stops eligible background content checks.

• Does it replace notifications? No. Notifications and background refresh are different systems.

• Can Android do something similar? Yes, but Android uses different background-work controls and terminology.

What Does Background App Refresh Actually Do?

Background App Refresh lets a suspended app check for updated information before you return to it. For example, a news app may prepare newer headlines, a weather app may update its stored forecast, or a shopping app may refresh product information. The app is not necessarily open on your screen while this happens.

When you leave an iPhone app, iOS may allow it to keep working briefly. After that, the app can enter a suspended state. A suspended app is not actively running in the usual sense, but Background App Refresh can give it an opportunity to check for new content.

Think of it as a short preparation period rather than a permanent connection.

For example, imagine that you open a news app at 8:00 a.m. and read a few stories. You then switch to another app. Later, iOS may allow the news app to check its server and prepare newer headlines. When you open the news app again, some content may already be available.

The exact timing is decided by the operating system. Apple’s developer documentation explains that the system chooses when to launch background refresh tasks and considers conditions such as device activity and available resources.

How Background App Refresh Works on iPhone

Background App Refresh works through scheduled opportunities provided by iOS. An app requests background time, but the operating system decides when the request can run. This means the feature supports periodic updates rather than promising a fixed schedule, instant refresh or continuous app activity.

The process generally looks like this:

1. You open an app.

2. You leave the app and move to another screen.

3. iOS may place the app into a suspended state.

4. The app may receive a short background opportunity.

5. It checks for permitted updates.

6. The app saves or prepares the information.

7. You open the app and see the updated content.

This is why Background App Refresh can make an app feel ready before you use it. However, it is not a promise that the app will always show the latest information.

Apple’s BGAppRefreshTask system is designed for short tasks, such as retrieving small amounts of updated information. Apple gives the example of checking stock values, but the same general idea can apply to news, weather, feeds and other apps that need occasional updates.

Background Refresh Is Not the Same as Keeping an App Open

A common misunderstanding is that Background App Refresh keeps an app running constantly. It does not.

iOS can suspend apps to reduce unnecessary activity. Background refresh provides selected opportunities for apps to update content without remaining active on the screen. Apple describes this as a way to use processing time efficiently while the device is not being used for that app.

This distinction matters because a suspended app may not respond immediately to every event. Some activities need different systems, such as push notifications, background audio, location services or file-transfer sessions.

What Is the Difference Between Background App Refresh and Notifications?

Background App Refresh allows an app to prepare content. A notification is a message delivered to you by the operating system. They can work together, but they serve different purposes and should not be treated as the same feature.

For example, a messaging app may use a notification to tell you that someone sent a message. Background App Refresh may help the app prepare content, but it is not the same as receiving the alert.

Apple also documents background pushes, which can silently wake an app to download content without showing an alert, sound or badge. This is a separate background mechanism from ordinary scheduled app refresh.

Does Background App Refresh Drain Battery?

Background App Refresh can use battery because an app may need processing power and network access to check for new content. However, the feature does not mean every app constantly drains the battery. iOS manages background activity and limits how apps work when they are not in use.

The effect depends on several factors:

• How many apps have refresh permission.

• How often each app requests updates.

• Whether the app uses Wi-Fi or mobile data.

• How much information the app downloads.

• Whether the device is already under heavy battery or performance pressure.

• Whether the app performs other background activities.

A weather app checking a small amount of information is different from an app downloading large files or refreshing a media feed. Apple’s background-task guidance says developers should choose background methods according to the work involved and should avoid using expensive background processing for simple tasks.

A Practical Battery Example

Suppose you have Background App Refresh enabled for ten apps. Some may receive background time only occasionally. Others may not refresh often because iOS decides that the timing is not necessary.

Turning off refresh for an app may reduce some background activity, but it will not automatically solve every battery problem. Battery drain can also come from screen brightness, poor mobile signal, location services, video playback, background uploads and other functions.

Apple specifically states that closing all recently used apps does not generally improve overall performance or battery life. Apps mainly use resources when they are active or performing specific background tasks or services.

Does Background App Refresh Use Mobile Data?

Yes, Background App Refresh can use mobile data if your iPhone is configured to allow it. Apple provides a setting that lets you choose between Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi plus cellular data.

This can matter if your mobile package has a small data allowance. An app may download headlines, images, updates or other content while you are not actively using it.

To reduce mobile-data use, you can choose Wi-Fi instead of Wi-Fi & Cellular Data. You can also turn off refresh for individual apps that do not need to prepare content in advance.

A sensible approach is to keep refresh enabled for apps where it saves time, such as weather or news, and disable it for apps that rarely need background updates.

Remember that Background App Refresh is not the only feature that can use mobile data. Video autoplay, cloud backups, app updates, social-media content and location-related services may also contribute to data usage.

How to Turn Background App Refresh On or Off

On a supported iPhone or iPad, you can manage the feature from the Settings app. Apple’s current instructions place the main control under General, where you can choose whether Background App Refresh uses Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi and cellular data.

Steps to Change the Main Setting

1. Open Settings.

2. Tap General.

3. Select Background App Refresh.

4. Tap Background App Refresh again.

5. Choose one of the available options:

   • Off

   • Wi-Fi

   • Wi-Fi & Cellular Data

Depending on the iOS version and app permissions, you may also see switches for individual apps on the Background App Refresh screen.

How to Disable It for One App

If you want to keep the feature available but reduce activity:

1. Open Settings.

2. Tap General.

3. Tap Background App Refresh.

4. Find the app in the list.

5. Turn its switch off.

This is often more useful than disabling the feature for every app. You can keep refresh available for apps that benefit from it and stop it for apps that do not.

What Happens If You Turn It Off?

Turning off Background App Refresh mainly stops eligible apps from checking for new content through that feature while they are suspended. The apps remain installed, and you can still open them normally.

You may notice that:

• Some apps take longer to show updated content when opened.

• News or shopping feeds may refresh after you launch the app.

• Certain apps may not prepare information in advance.

• Mobile-data use from this feature may decrease.

• Some background activity may be reduced.

Turning it off does not mean that every app becomes completely inactive. Other functions may still operate through separate systems. For example, notifications, location services, audio playback and certain background transfers use their own permissions and mechanisms.

It is also worth remembering that app behaviour varies. One app may show a clear difference when refresh is disabled, while another may simply update when you open it.

Background App Refresh on Android

Android does not use the iPhone’s exact Background App Refresh setting. Instead, Android provides several background-work systems, including scheduled work, foreground services, asynchronous work and the WorkManager API.

Android’s official developer documentation explains that background work is restricted to protect battery life and device performance. The correct method depends on the task.

For ordinary Android users, similar controls may appear under settings such as:

• Battery usage.

• Background activity.

• Mobile data usage.

• Unrestricted battery usage.

• App battery management.

The exact labels depend on the phone manufacturer and Android version. A Samsung phone, Google Pixel and Xiaomi phone may present different menus.

Android’s restrictions are designed to prevent apps from running freely in the background because unnecessary background work can drain battery and reduce device performance.

When Should You Keep Background App Refresh Enabled?

Background App Refresh is useful when you want apps to prepare information before you open them. It may be worth keeping enabled for apps that you check regularly and where fresh content saves time.

You may choose to keep it enabled for:

• Weather apps.

• News apps.

• Calendar and productivity apps.

• Travel apps that prepare updates.

• Shopping apps you use frequently.

• Apps where waiting for a refresh is inconvenient.

You may choose to disable it for:

• Apps you rarely use.

• Games that do not need background updates.

• Apps that download too much content.

• Apps you suspect are using unnecessary mobile data.

• Apps where instant preparation is not useful.

There is no single setting that suits everyone. Your choice depends on how you use your phone, your battery condition and your mobile-data plan.

FAQ

Is Background App Refresh necessary on iPhone?

No. It is a convenience feature, not a requirement for using an iPhone. Apps can still open when you tap them, although some may need to load fresh content at that moment.

Does Background App Refresh mean apps are spying on me?

The setting itself means that eligible apps can check for updates in the background. It does not automatically mean an app can read private messages or access every part of your phone. App permissions and privacy practices are separate issues.

Should I turn Background App Refresh off to save battery?

You can disable it to reduce one type of background activity, but the effect will vary by app and device. Apple says battery use also depends on other active features and background services.

Will I still receive notifications if I turn it off?

Notifications are separate from Background App Refresh. Turning off refresh does not automatically mean that all notifications stop. Notification delivery depends on the app’s notification permission and the system used to deliver the alert.

Does Background App Refresh work on Android?

Android supports background app activity, but it uses different systems and settings rather than the exact iPhone feature. Android’s background-work controls include scheduled tasks, WorkManager and foreground services.

Final Thoughts

Background App Refresh is a way for supported apps to check for new content while you are not actively using them. It can make news, weather, shopping and productivity apps feel more ready when you return, but iOS decides when the work happens.

If you want to reduce mobile-data use or limit background activity, you can turn it off for selected apps instead of disabling it everywhere. The best setting depends on which apps you use and how much you value having updated content ready in advance.

Sarah Preston

Founder & Lead Writer, Derek Time

Derek covers technology, business, entertainment, and digital trends for Derek Time, focusing on making complex topics clear and practical. Outside of writing, he’s usually testing new apps or keeping an eye on what’s next in tech and business.