What is Background App Refresh on iPhone? [Complete Guide for 2025]

 

Do you often wonder why your iPhone battery drains so fast, or why your mobile data finishes quickly?

One hidden culprit might be:

Background App Refresh

In this post, we’ll cover:

• What is Background App Refresh?

• How it works on iPhone 16 / iOS 18

• Pros and Cons

• How to enable/disable it

• Which apps should be allowed and which should be blocked

Let’s make your iPhone smarter and more battery-friendly! ⚡

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What is Background App Refresh?

Background App Refresh allows apps to run certain tasks in the background, even when you're not using them.

For example:

• Your email app fetches new emails

• Facebook or Instagram loads fresh content

• Weather app updates forecasts

• News app pulls in the latest headlines

This helps apps stay updated when you open them — but it also uses battery and data behind your back.

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 How to Turn Background App Refresh On or Off

✅ To Enable or Disable:

1. Go to Settings

2. Tap General

3. Tap Background App Refresh

4. Choose:

   • Off – Disable for all apps

   • Wi-Fi – Allow only on Wi-Fi

   • Wi-Fi & Mobile Data – Allow always

Then scroll down to toggle individual apps on or off.

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Which Apps Should Have It ON?

Only allow background activity for apps that truly need real-time data. Examples:

• Email apps (Gmail, Outlook)

• Maps or navigation apps

• Ride-sharing apps (Uber, Careem)

• Fitness trackers

These apps benefit from running in the background.

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Which Apps Should You Turn OFF?

Disable for apps that don't need to refresh unless opened:

• Social Media (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram)

• Games

• Shopping apps (Amazon, Daraz)

• Video apps (YouTube, Netflix)

Turning these off can significantly improve battery life and reduce data usage.

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Pros and Cons of Background App Refresh

Pros	Cons
Updated app content	Drains battery
Faster app launch	Wastes mobile data
Smoother user experience	Slows down performance

 Pro Tips to Maximize iPhone Battery Life

• Turn off Background App Refresh completely, or allow only over Wi-Fi.

• Disable for unnecessary apps.

• Use Low Power Mode to auto-disable background refresh.

• Regularly check usage in Settings > Battery

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Background App Refresh is helpful — but only when used wisely.
By controlling it, you can:

✅ Save battery
✅ Reduce mobile data usage
✅ Speed up your phone

So, take a few minutes today to customize this setting. Your iPhone (and battery) will thank you!