ByIn today’s digital age, our smartphones are filled with many apps that constantly access data, receive updates, and perform tasks in the background. An important part of this process is “Background App Refresh”, which improves the user experience but also consumes battery and data. In this article, we will learn in detail what Background App Refresh is, how to turn it on or off, and how to manage it efficiently.
What is Background App Refresh?
Background App Refresh is a feature that allows apps installed on your device to stay updated even when they are not actively in use. For example, if you open a news app and close it and open it again after a while, it will show the latest news – this is due to the same feature.
This feature allows apps to run in the background so that they can download new content, update notifications, and give the user a real-time experience.
How does Background App Refresh work?
This feature allows apps to access data in the background via Wi-Fi or mobile data. For example:
Email apps can receive new emails
Social media apps can update notifications
News apps can load news refreshingly
This feature is useful when you want to get updated information immediately, but it has an impact on battery and data.
How to enable or disable Background App Refresh on iPhone
iPhone or iPad users can follow the steps below:
1. Open Settings
Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on General
Tap on the General option inside Settings.
3. Go to Background App Refresh
Now tap on the Background App Refresh option.
4. Choose the option
Here you will find three options:
Off: Will turn off for all apps.
Wi-Fi: Updates will only happen on a Wi-Fi connection.
Wi-Fi & Mobile Data: Background updates will happen on both Wi-Fi and mobile data.
You can choose either of these depending on your preference.
5. Controls for specific apps
You can also turn Background App Refresh on or off individually for each app if you want.
How to Control Background App Refresh in Android
In Android, it is usually called “Background Data” or “Allow background activity”:
1. Open Settings
Go to the Settings app on your device.
2. Tap on Apps or Apps Management
Here you will see a list of installed apps.
3. Select an app
Tap on the app you want to manage.
4. Go to Data Usage or Battery Usage
Now you can see how much data and battery the app is using.
5. Turn off background data/activity
Turn off Background Data if you want to save data.
If you want to save battery, turn off Allow background activity.
Battery and data impact of Background App Refresh
1. Battery drain
When many apps run in the background, it drains the device’s battery faster. If you are noticing battery issues, this could be one of the reasons.
2. Data consumption
Apps constantly consume data via Wi-Fi or mobile data, which can drain your internet quickly. This can be a problem, especially in limited data plans.
3. Impact on device performance
Having too many apps running in the background can slow down the phone, which increases the pressure on the RAM and processor.
How to manage Background App Refresh efficiently
1. Allow only essential apps
For apps that do not require frequent updates, like games, tools, etc., turn off this feature.
2. Use battery-saving mode
Activating battery-saving mode stops background work for most apps.
3. Turn on data saver mode
This option limits background data, thereby reducing data consumption.
4. Check app permissions periodically
Regularly check which apps are running in the background by going to Settings.
Benefits of turning off Background App Refresh
Battery longevity
Data savings
Improved device performance
Reduction in unnecessary notifications
In which apps is it safe to turn it off
You can turn it off in these apps without any worries:
Gaming apps
Photo editing apps
Scanner apps
Music players (which play stored files)
Privacy and Background App Refresh
When apps connect to the internet in the background, they can also access user data. In such a situation, turning it off can also be a good decision from the point of view of privacy protection.
Conclusion: Should you keep Background App Refresh on?
If you want your apps to always be updated and ready, and you have good battery and data capacity, then you can keep them on. But if your purpose is to save battery, save data, and improve phone performance, then it is better to turn it off.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Background App Refresh
1. Is it safe to turn off Background App Refresh?
Yes, it is completely safe. It only prevents apps from updating data in the background. It does not have any permanent effect on the functioning of the apps. When you open the app, it will refresh automatically.
2. Do all apps need Background App Refresh?
No. Only certain apps, such as email, news, messaging, and social media, require regular background updates. Other apps, such as games, tools, and the camera, do not require this feature.
3. Does Background App Refresh consume more battery?
Yes. If this feature is on for many apps, the device’s battery may drain quickly as network and processing are constantly happening in the background.
4. Can it be turned off for apps one by one?
Yes. In both iPhone and Android, you can turn Background App Refresh on or off for individual apps by going to the list of apps.
5. Where is this option in Android?
In Android devices, it is called “Background Data” or “Allow Background Activity”. You can control it by going to the settings of an app.
6. Does it save mobile data?
Absolutely. When you turn off Background App Refresh, apps do not use data unnecessarily. This is very beneficial for users with limited data plans.
7. Does turning on battery saver stop Background App Refresh?
Yes. In most devices, activating battery saver mode automatically stops background app activity.
8. Will turning off Background App Refresh stop notifications?
No, not always. Some apps like WhatsApp, Gmail, etc., continue to send notifications because they use the Push Notification service. But some apps may need Background App Refresh for updated notifications.
9. How do I know which apps are consuming data in the background?
You can see which apps are using more background data or battery in the “Data Usage” section in Android and the “Battery” section in iOS.
10. Are Background App Refresh and Auto-Update the same thing?
No. Background App Refresh works to keep apps updated in the background.
Auto-Update is related to automatically installing new versions of apps.
These are two different settings.
