Background App Refresh on iPhone: What It is & How to Use It

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Learn about refreshing suspended apps on iPhone and iPad

Co-authored by Rain Kengly Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: January 17, 2025 Fact Checked

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• What Is Background App Refresh on iPhone?
|
• Should I disable Background App Refresh?
|
• Do apps running in the background use data?
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• Enabling or Disabling Background App Refresh

|Show more |Show less

Are you curious about the Background App Refresh feature? If you turn on Background App Refresh, apps will continue to refresh the content even when you're not using it. However, you may want to turn this feature off if your iPhone has storage, data, or battery issues. We'll explain what Background App Refresh on an iPhone is and how to enable or disable it.

Background App Refresh: Fast Facts

Background App Refresh allows your apps to continue running in the background when you're not using them. To turn this feature on, go toSettings>General>Background App Refresh>Background App Refresh>Wi-FiorWi-Fi & Cellular Data.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

What Is Background App Refresh on iPhone?

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1. 
   Background App Refresh keeps apps up-to-date when not in use.If you leave apps open as you're using another app or after you lock your iPhone, Background App Refresh allows the content in these apps to constantly refresh.

   • For example, if you leaveTwitter (X)open in the background and come back to it later, you should see the same tweet or page you left on. If this feature is disabled, X may refresh and show you the top of your home page again.
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Section 2 of 4:

Should I disable Background App Refresh?

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1. Disable Background App Refresh if you havebatteryordata issues.Since Background App Refresh uses resources to keep things updated behind the scenes, it can drain your battery more quickly than you'd like. If you have preexisting battery issues, this can even worsen it.

   • Additionally, if you have a strict data plan, you may want to stop apps from using more than necessary, especially if you're not on Wi-Fi.
   • If you don't want to enable or disable Background App Refresh fully, you can turn off or on for certain apps.

Section 3 of 4:

Do apps running in the background use data?

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1. Yes, apps use data when they are running in the background.If you have a data-sensitive plan, having Background App Refresh enabled can use up your free data.
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Section 4 of 4:

Enabling or Disabling Background App Refresh

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1. 
   1
   Open the Settings app.This is the grey cog icon.
2. 
   2
   TapGeneral.You can find this belowScreen Time.
3. 
   3
   TapBackground App Refresh.This is underneathiPhone Storage.
4. 
   4
   TapBackground App Refresh.This is at the top.
5. 
   5
   SelectWi-FiorWi-Fi & Cellular Data.If you have a limited data plan, select Wi-Fi instead.

   • If you want to turn off Background App Refresh, selectOffinstead.
6. 
   6
   Enable Background App Refresh for some apps (optional).If you want this feature only enabled for certain apps, return to theBackground App Refreshscreen. You should see a list of all your apps.

   • Tap the switch next to the app. It should turn green. This will enable Background App Refresh for that app.
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