What Is Background App Refresh?
Background App Refresh is an iOS feature that allows apps to check for new content, sync data, and update their information even when you're not actively using them. When you open an app after it's been refreshed in the background, it loads with the latest content instantly — instead of making you wait while it fetches data.
While convenient, this feature comes at a cost: battery drain and cellular data usage. Every app running background refreshes is competing for your device's resources around the clock.
How to Turn Off Background App Refresh
You have two levels of control — globally (off for all apps) or per-app (selective).
Turn Off Globally
- Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap General.
- Tap Background App Refresh.
- Tap the top toggle to turn it Off for all apps at once.
Turn Off Per App
- Follow steps 1–3 above.
- Scroll through the list of apps.
- Toggle off any individual app you don't want refreshing in the background.
This selective approach is recommended — you can keep it enabled for apps like Mail or News while disabling it for games or shopping apps that don't need live updates.
Wi-Fi vs. Wi-Fi & Cellular
iOS also lets you restrict background refresh to Wi-Fi only, which prevents apps from consuming mobile data when you're out and about:
- Off — No background refresh at all
- Wi-Fi — Refreshes only when connected to Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi & Cellular Data — Refreshes on both (default, most draining)
Switching to Wi-Fi only is a great middle ground that preserves data without fully disabling the feature.
Which Apps Should You Disable?
Not all apps benefit equally from background refresh. Consider disabling it for:
- Games — They don't need live data updates
- Shopping apps — You open them when you need them
- Social media apps — They refresh the moment you open them anyway
- Utility apps (calculators, note-taking) — No live data needed
Consider keeping it enabled for:
- Maps and navigation — Needs fresh data
- Email clients — So new messages appear quickly
- Calendar apps — To stay in sync with invites
Does Force-Quitting Apps Help?
A common misconception is that force-quitting apps from the app switcher saves battery. In most cases, it doesn't — and may even hurt performance since the app has to fully reload next time. iOS is designed to intelligently manage suspended apps. The real culprit is Background App Refresh, not apps sitting in the switcher.
Other Tips to Reduce Background Activity on iPhone
- Turn on Low Power Mode (Settings → Battery) — it automatically disables background refresh
- Review Location Services for apps using "Always" location access
- Check Settings → Battery to see which apps use the most power
- Disable push email for non-critical accounts and switch to manual fetch
Final Thoughts
Background App Refresh is a feature best used intentionally. Taking 5 minutes to review and selectively disable it for apps that don't need it can meaningfully extend your iPhone's battery life and reduce unnecessary data usage — without changing how you use your device day-to-day.