Background app refresh on iOS allows apps to run in the background if needed. For example, if the a podcast app needs to download the latest episode of a show you’re listening to, or if mail needs to download your latest emails.
While this works well most of the time, sometimes an app can abuse the feature and force itself to run in the background all the time. This could lead to huge battery drain, or a slower device.
Follow along to learn how to turn off this feature…
How to turn off background app refresh on iPhone and iPad
- Head into Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
- From here you can tap into each individual app to turn off the feature on an app by app basis or you can use the master toggle by digging into the Background App Refresh menu on top and tapping the Off option.
You can also opt to have it running only when on Wi-Fi or with Wi-Fi & Cellular Data.
Generally speaking, this feature should be kept enable as most apps will not abuse it and will use it in a meaningful way.
For more help getting the most out of your Apple devices, check out our how to guide as well as the following articles:
- How to update personal info like weight on Apple Watch
- How to check if your carrier supports eSIM
- How to get the best exercise and movement tracking with Apple Watch
- How to view which apps have location permissions on iOS
- How to allow pop-ups on Mac
- How to check your Apple Pencil model number
- How to get the best ECG readings on Apple Watch
- How to take an ECG (electrocardiogram) on Apple Watch [Gallery]
- What’s new in watchOS 5.1.2 [Video]
- How to share ECG results with your doctor
