What is background app refresh and how to set it up

Background App Refresh allows apps to update in the background for a more immediate response.

Learn what the "Background App Refresh" feature does, how it affects your battery and data, and how to properly set it up on iPhone or Android.

Save battery, data and memory on your phone in a simple way

Have you noticed that your phone's battery is draining faster than it should? Or is your phone lagging and frequently freezing for no apparent reason? One of the "silent" culprits is a feature called "Background App Refresh". Let's take a closer look at what it does and how you can set it up correctly!

What is Background App Refresh?

 It checks for new messages, updates content, downloads photos or notifications – all without you realizing it.

In simpler words: Background App Refresh allows apps to update and download new content, even when they're not open.

For example, Facebook can download new posts, Instagram can upload photos, and the email app can check for new messages — all of this happens automatically, in the background.

Why Could It Be a Problem?

Although this feature is practical, it also has negative aspects that may affect the daily use of your mobile phone:

🔋 Consumes Battery: Every app running in the background uses energy. If multiple apps are doing so at the same time, your battery will drain much faster.

🧠 Consumes Memory (RAM): Your phone's memory works like a desk — the busier it is, the harder it is to work. Apps running in the background fill up the memory and slow down your phone.

📶 Uses Internet Data: When an app updates in the background, it downloads data. This can eat into your monthly data plan, especially if you're not connected to Wi-Fi.

🐌 Impairs Performance: The more applications that try to run at the same time, the more your phone slows down and can "hang".

How to Close it on iPhone (iOS)

🍎 iOS / iPhone

If you have an iPhone, disabling the feature is very simple. Follow these steps:

1 Open Settings – it's the app with the gear icon on the home screen.

2 Go to "General" (General) – you will find it in the first options.

3 Select "Background App Refresh" (Background App Refresh).

4 Choose the option you want:

• "Inactive" – disables the feature for all applications
• "Wi-Fi" – allows refresh only when connected to Wi-Fi
• "Wi-Fi & Mobile Data" – active everywhere (consumes more battery and data)

💡 Advice: You can turn the feature off for specific apps only. For example, leave it on for Viber or WhatsApp so you can receive instant messages, but turn it off for apps like Facebook or games that don't need constant updates.

How to Close it on Android

🤖 Android

On Android phones, the process may vary slightly depending on the company (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, etc.), but the steps are generally similar:

1 Open Settings – look for the gear icon.

2 Go to "Applications" (Apps) or "Application Management".

3 Choose the application you want – you will see all your installed applications.

4 Tap "Mobile Data & Wi-Fi" or "Data Usage".

5 Turn off "Background Data" (Background Data) – so the app won't use the internet when you don't have it open.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (like Samsung), there may be an option to “Restrict Background” or “Optimize Battery.” These essentially do the same thing – stop apps from running in the background.

💡 Alternatively: If you enable Battery Saver, your phone automatically limits apps that refresh in the background.

Which Apps Should You Keep Active?

You don't need to turn off the feature for all apps. Some apps need to remain enabled to work properly. Here are some suggestions:

✅ Leave it Active for:

• Messaging apps (WhatsApp, Viber, Messenger) – for instant notifications
• Email – to receive new messages
• Music and Podcasts – to keep playing in the background
• Maps and Navigation (Google Maps, Waze) – for continuous route updates
• Banking apps – for instant transaction notifications

❌ Closed for:

• Social networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) – you can control them whenever you want
• Games – no background updates needed
• Shopping apps – they can load when you open them
• Apps you rarely use
• Weather apps – can be updated manually

What Will You See Next?

After disabling the feature in some apps, you'll quickly notice the differences:

🔋 Longer Battery Life: The device will last several hours longer, especially if you limit "heavy" applications.

⚡ Faster Response: Apps will open faster and the phone will run smoother.

📶 Less Data Consumption: Your internet package will last longer, without you even realizing it.

🔔 Fewer Notifications: You won't be constantly getting notifications from every app — which reduces distractions and increases your concentration.

Small delay: If you open an app that you've disabled from the background, it may take a few seconds for it to load new data — but the power savings are worth it!

🎯 Summarizing

Background App Refresh is a useful feature, but it often consumes more resources than necessary. If you properly configure which apps can refresh in the background, you'll have a faster phone, longer battery life, and less data waste.

Make these simple adjustments today and see the difference in your phone's performance! 

✍️ Evangelos
Its creator LoveForTechnology.net — an independent and trusted source for tech guides, tools, and practical solutions. Each article is based on personal testing, evidence-based research, and care for the average user. Here, technology is presented simply and clearly.

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