Apple iPhones have a feature called Background App Refresh that allows app content to stay up to date even when users are not actively using them.
For example, the Mail app installed on your iPhone remains updated even when you’re not actively using it. In this article, we will know what exactly this feature does and how to enable and use it.
What is Background App Refresh on iPhone?
The Background App Refresh feature allows contents in the app to stay up to date, even when you’re not actively using them.
For example, your iPhone’s mail app always remains up to date, even when it’s not running in the background or you’re not using it actively.
On Apple iPhones, you also have the option to manage the background refresh for the apps installed on your phone. You can turn Background App Refresh off for all apps and for individual apps.
How to Enable or Disable Background App Refresh on iPhone?
Enabling or disabling the background app refresh feature on your iPhone is easy. Just follow the steps we’ve shared.
1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. When the Settings app opens, tap on General.
3. On the General screen, tap Background App Refresh.
4. On the next screen, tap on Background App Refresh again.
5. On the next screen, select from one of the three options available. The default selection is WiFi and mobile data; you can select either WiFi or turn off the feature completely by selecting Off.
How to Manage Background Refresh for Apps?
You may want to manually enable or disable Background refresh for the apps you want. Here’s how to manage background app refresh on iPhone.
1. Move to the Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
2. On the next screen, you will be able to see all apps installed on your iPhone.
3. To turn off the Background app refresh, turn off the switch next to the apps you don’t plan to use.
Drawbacks of Background App Refresh
While the feature is great as it keeps the app’s contents updated, it has a few disadvantages. Here are a few limitations of using Background App Refresh.
- The Background App Refresh feature won’t work when the Low Power Mode is enabled.
- If you have an older iPhone, you may not be able to select whether the BAR will be enabled when connected to WiFi or Mobile data.
- The Background App Refresh feature can drain your iPhone’s Battery life.
- Since it keeps the apps connected to the internet all the time, it may increase your internet consumption.
This article explains background app refresh and how to enable or disable it. If you need more help with this topic, let us know in the comments. Also, if you find this guide helpful, don’t forget to share it with your friends.