What is Background App Refresh? Complete Guide for iPhone And Android Users
Learn what Background App Refresh is, how it works, and how to manage it on iPhone and Android to save data and battery while keeping your apps updated seamlessly.
Have you ever noticed that some apps send you updates, alerts, or notifications even when you’re not using them? That’s all thanks to a feature called Background App Refresh. It works in the background, keeping your apps updated and ready with fresh content. However, it can also drain your battery and data. This article will explain what Background App Refresh does, how it works, and how you can manage it on both iPhone and Android phones.
What Does Background App Refresh Do?
Background App Refresh lets apps update content even when you’re not actively using them. For example, news apps can fetch the latest headlines, social media apps like Instagram can preload posts, and cloud storage apps can sync files in the background. This feature allows your phone to stay updated, so when you open an app, everything is ready to go.
However, this convenience comes at a cost. Apps that use this feature can consume more battery power and mobile data. On average, apps can use around 3-5MB of data per hour in the background, which adds up if you have many apps refreshing at once.
Benefits of Background App Refresh
Here are a few reasons why Background App Refresh can be helpful:
- Keeps Apps Updated: You don’t have to wait for updates when you open apps like Instagram or Facebook.
- Smoother Experience: Switching between apps becomes faster because they’re already loaded with fresh content.
- Personalization: Apps like Spotify and Netflix can learn your preferences and suggest content you might enjoy based on your usage patterns.
Should You Turn Background App Refresh On or Off?
Deciding whether to keep this feature on or off depends on your personal needs. If you have an unlimited data plan and want a seamless experience, keeping it on makes sense. But if you want to save battery or data, it might be better to turn it off.
Here’s when you might want to consider turning it off:
- Limited Data Plan: If you don’t have unlimited data, turning off Background App Refresh can save you from unexpected data charges.
- Battery Concerns: Apps refreshing in the background can drain your battery faster. If you often run low on battery, turning this feature off helps.
How to Turn Off Background App Refresh
For iPhone Users:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to General, then tap Background App Refresh.
- You can either turn it off for all apps by selecting Off at the top or turn it off for individual apps by toggling the switch next to each app.
For Android Users:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Apps & Notifications (or just Apps).
- Select See All Apps and tap on the app you want to manage.
- Tap Mobile Data & Wi-Fi and turn off the Background Data switch.
How to Turn On Background App Refresh
If you decide you want Background App Refresh turned back on, here’s how you can do it:
For iPhone Users:
- Go to Settings and tap General.
- Select Background App Refresh and choose whether to enable it for Wi-Fi only, or both Wi-Fi and Cellular Data.
For Android Users:
- Open Settings and go to Connections.
- Select Data Usage, and then Mobile Data Usage.
- Choose the app and enable Allow Background Data Usage.
Extra Tips to Save Battery and Data
If you’re still worried about battery or data usage, you can also try these tips:
- Use Low Power Mode: On iPhones, enabling Low Power Mode under Battery Settings will turn off background refresh and other battery-draining features. On Android, you can enable Power Saving Mode under Battery Settings.
- Download Content on Wi-Fi: Instead of using data, download videos or songs when you’re connected to Wi-Fi. This helps save data for other tasks.
FAQs: Background App Refresh for iPhone and Android
1. Does turning off Background App Refresh affect notifications?
- No, you will still receive notifications. Only the app content won’t update until opened.
2. Will disabling Background App Refresh save battery?
- Yes, it saves battery by reducing the background activity of apps.
3. Can I turn off Background App Refresh for specific apps?
- Yes, both iPhone and Android allow you to control it for individual apps.
4. Does Background App Refresh use a lot of mobile data?
- It can, especially for apps that frequently update. You can control data usage by turning it off or limiting it to Wi-Fi.
5. Will turning off Background App Refresh slow my phone?
- No, it won’t slow down your phone. It may even improve performance by freeing up system resources.
6. How can I see which apps are using Background App Refresh?
- On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. On Android, check Data Usage for app data consumption.
7. Can turning off Background App Refresh affect app performance?
- For some apps, content might take a bit longer to load, but it’s usually not noticeable.
8. What’s the difference between Background App Refresh and push notifications?
- Background App Refresh updates app content. Push notifications send alerts without needing the app to run in the background.
9. Does Background App Refresh work in low power mode?
- No, it’s disabled on both iPhone and Android when in low-power or power-saving modes.
10. Can I limit Background App Refresh to Wi-Fi only?
- iPhone allows you to set it to Wi-Fi only. On Android, you can control background data for apps manually.
Conclusion
Background App Refresh is a convenient feature that keeps your apps updated, but it can also use a lot of data and drain your battery. Whether you should keep it on or off depends on your needs. By managing this feature wisely, you can enjoy a balance between convenience and efficiency on both iPhone and Android devices.
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