What Is Background App Refresh on iOS and Android Devices?

Ever open your favourite news app and see outdated headlines? Have you missed an important notification because an app wasn't running?

Thanks to a handy feature called background app refresh, you can say goodbye to incidents like these. Let's dive into this feature and how it improves your smartphone experience.

What is background app refresh? 

Background app refresh is a feature that allows apps to automatically check for updates and new information, even when you're not actively using them. This lets you receive instant notifications, see fresh content when you open an app, and avoid waiting for things to load.

How does background app refresh work?

Imagine your apps are like your friends, always wanting to keep you in the loop. With background app refresh enabled, these apps can periodically check for updates in the background, like sending you a quick text to see if anything new is happening.

Depending on your settings, they can use your Wi-Fi and cellular data to accomplish this. Background app refresh is also used in pre-downloading content or fetching updates for apps, so everything is ready to go when you open them.

Background app refresh on different devices

Background app refresh on Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch)

To manage background app refresh on your Apple device, head to the Settings app. There, you can find a section dedicated to background app refresh, which you can turn on or off for all apps or customise on an app-by-app basis.

Even your Apple Watch benefits from background refresh. It lets your watch stay updated with notifications. This way, you can keep track of your fitness goals and ensure your favourite apps are ready to roll when you need them.

Background app refresh on Android devices

While the feature isn’t called "background app refresh," Android devices have an identical feature called background data usage. Like in iOS devices, it allows apps to check for updates and new information in the background.

The location of these settings can vary slightly depending on your Android device. Still, you can typically find them within the Settings app under a section like Data Usage or Apps & Notifications.

Pros and cons of background app refresh

Pros: Convenience and up-to-date information

• Get notified instantly: Background app refresh makes it possible for notifications to be delivered the moment they happen.
• Always fresh content: When you open an app, you'll be greeted with the latest updates, news feeds, and information.

Let's take a deeper dive into how background app refresh benefits specific app categories:

• Social media apps: With background app refresh enabled for social media apps, you'll always be updated on a friend's activity or trending topics everyone's talking about.
• E-commerce apps: Have you ever missed out on a flash sale because you weren't checking the app at the right time? With background app refresh, you can receive instant notifications about limited-time deals and track your orders in real time.
• Travel apps: Background app refresh helps you stay on top of travelling’s many moving parts. You can pull out your phone at the airport and see your boarding pass update displayed or let Google Maps pull location data without having the app running.

Cons: Battery drain and data usage

• Battery usage: Constantly checking for updates in the background can drain your battery power faster. The impact can vary depending on how many apps are enabled for background app refresh and how frequently they refresh.
• Mobile data usage: If you rely on cellular data, background app refresh can use up your data allowance quickly, especially if you have many apps refreshing.
• Negative impact on performance: Many apps constantly refreshing in the background can slow down your phone. Depending on your device and the apps you’re running, the slowdown can be anywhere from minimal to noticeable.

Managing background app refresh

Here are some tips for managing background app refresh so you can enjoy its benefits while minimising drawbacks:

• Turn it off for non-essential apps: Games, utilities, or apps you rarely use don't need to constantly refresh in the background. Turn off background app refresh for these to save battery and data.
• Wi-Fi is key: Connect to Wi-Fi instead of cellular data for background refresh whenever possible. This will help you avoid burning through your data plan.

Should you turn off the background app refresh feature?

While turning the feature off completely might seem like the most power-efficient solution, it isn’t necessarily the best one. Keep in mind that the cost of reducing power and data consumption to an absolute minimum is potentially missing out on some urgent notifications or events.

Instead, the key is to find a sweet spot by evaluating each app. You can do this by going to Settings > General > Background App Refresh (for iPhones) or Settings > Data Usage or Apps & Notifications (for Android phones). Here, you can access settings for background refresh, where you can disable it for specific apps that don't need constant updates like video games.

For instance, apps like Google Photos focus on managing your existing photos. They might not need constant background refresh to function well. However, disabling the feature for apps that rely on instant updates comes with a tradeoff.

Social media and messenger apps depend on push notifications to keep you informed. If you turn off background app refresh for these, you might experience a delay in receiving messages or updates.

Additional tips for preserving battery life

Disabling background app refresh isn't the only way to save battery. Here are some additional tips:

• Reduce screen brightness: Dimming your screen brightness can have a positive impact on battery life. Most smartphones offer built-in auto-brightness. This feature automatically adjusts the screen light based on your surroundings. Consider enabling this feature for optimal battery usage.
• Close unused apps: By default, exiting apps causes them to be minimised, during which they can still drain small amounts of battery charge over time. Closing them in your device's app switcher stops them from running in the background and draining your battery.
• Disable location services for specific apps: Many apps don't need constant access to your location. For example, games or photo editing apps don't need to know your location all the time. Disabling location services for these apps can help conserve battery life on mobile devices.

Enable Low Power Mode (if available): Many smartphones offer a built-in Low Power mode to save battery. This mode reduces background activity on your phone and limits certain features to extend battery life. This can be a good option when you need your phone to last longer and don't mind sacrificing some functionality.

Final thoughts

Now that you understand the power and potential pitfalls of background app refresh, you can use it as a powerful tool for optimising your phone's performance. Review your apps and disable background refresh for those you rarely use or don't need constant updates from.

For essential apps, consider enabling background refresh only when connected to Wi-Fi to minimise data usage. With a little customization, you can enjoy the benefits of up-to-date apps and notifications without sacrificing battery life or data.

FAQs

Does background app refresh affect performance?

Yes, in some cases. If many apps are constantly refreshing in the background, it can slow down your phone slightly. However, this is usually a minor concern.

How can I check which apps are using background app refresh?

On iPhones, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. On Android devices, the location may vary depending on your phone model, but it can typically be found under Settings > Data Usage or Apps & Notifications.

Is it safe to turn off background app refresh?

Yes. Disabling background app refresh won't harm your phone and can improve battery life. Just keep in mind that you may miss some notifications or experience a slight delay when opening apps that rely on the feature.