Updated: April 25, 2025

iPhone Background App Refresh: Optimize Speed & Battery 2025

Your iPhone is like a busy assistant—it works hard to keep your apps updated, even when you’re not using them. This behind-the-scenes magic is called Background App Refresh (BAR).

But does it help or hurt your phone’s speed and battery? Let’s break it down in simple terms and learn how to make BAR work for you, not against you.

What Is Background App Refresh?

Imagine your iPhone has a tiny helper that quietly updates your apps (like Instagram, Weather, or Email) so they’re ready to go the moment you open them. That’s BAR! This feature lets apps check for new content—messages, news, or videos—even when they’re closed.

How It Works

  • When you leave an app (by swiping home or switching apps), your iPhone doesn’t fully shut it down. Instead, the app goes into "suspended mode," frozen in your phone’s memory (RAM).
  • With BAR turned on, apps can "wake up" occasionally to refresh their content using Wi-Fi or cellular data.
  • Without BAR, apps only update when you open them.

Why Should You Care About BAR?

BAR isn’t all good or bad—it’s about balance. Here’s how it impacts your iPhone:

1. Battery Life: Friend or Foe?

BAR keeps apps fresh but uses battery power to do so. Think of it like leaving a TV on in the background: it’s convenient, but it costs energy.

  • Pro: Apps load faster with pre-updated content.
  • Con: Constant refreshing drains battery, especially on 5G or weak signals.

Tip: If your iPhone 15 or 16 battery dies too fast, BAR might be part of the problem. Learn more about understanding battery drain and how settings affect it.

2. Data Usage: Wi-Fi vs. Cellular

BAR can eat up data if left unchecked:

  • On Wi-Fi: Updates are free (if you have unlimited Wi-Fi).
  • On Cellular: Refreshing apps like TikTok or YouTube could burn through your monthly data plan.

Fix: Restrict BAR to Wi-Fi only. For a deeper dive, check out our guide to managing iPhone cellular data.

3. Notifications Still Work!

Worried about missing texts or alerts? Don’t be! Turning off BAR won’t stop notifications. Those are handled by Apple’s servers, not individual apps.

Should You Turn Off Background App Refresh?

Yes, if…

  • Your battery dies too quickly.
  • You’re on a limited cellular data plan.
  • You rarely use certain apps (like the App Store or Airbnb).

No, if…

  • You want apps like Mail or News to load instantly.
  • You use navigation or fitness apps that need real-time updates.

The Sweet Spot: Customize BAR for each app. Keep it on for essentials, turn it off for the rest.

How to Manage BAR in 3 Steps

Let’s tweak your settings like a pro:

Step 1: Find BAR Settings

  1. Open Settings > General.
  2. Tap Background App Refresh.
    (Need help? Our iPhone General Settings Explained guide walks you through menus.)

Step 2: Choose Wi-Fi or Cellular

  • Wi-Fi Only: Saves battery and data. Best for most users!
  • Wi-Fi & Cellular: Only use this if you have unlimited data.

Step 3: Pick Apps to Update

Scroll through your app list. Toggle off apps you don’t need updating in the background. For example:
✅ Keep Maps or Weather on.
❌ Turn off Games or Shopping Apps.

Pro Tip: Review apps monthly. Did you download a recipe app you never use? Turn off its BAR!

Myth Busted: Stop Closing Your Apps!

You’ve probably heard that swiping apps closed saves battery. Not true!Here’s why:

  • Your iPhone freezes background apps, so they use almost no power.
  • Reopening a closed app from scratch uses more battery than waking it from RAM.

Only close apps if…

  • They freeze or crash.
  • You’re on a long trip without a charger (every bit of savings counts!).

Troubleshooting BAR Issues

Why Is BAR Grayed Out?

Two reasons:

  1. Low Power Mode is on (the battery icon is yellow). Turn it off in Settings > Battery.
  2. Screen Time Restrictions: Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Background App Activities > Allow.

Which Apps Drain Battery?

Find the culprits:

  1. Go to Settings > Battery.
  2. Check “Background Activity” for apps using power behind the scenes.
  3. Tap any app to restrict its background access.

(For more tips for saving battery, explore our Ultimate iPhone Settings Guide.)

Advanced Tips for Power Users

1. Location Services & BAR

Some apps (like Weather or Uber) use your location in the background, which drains battery. Fix this:

  • Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services.
  • Set apps to “While Using” or “Never.”

2. Pair BAR with Low Power Mode

Turn on Low Power Mode (Settings > Battery) to temporarily disable BAR when your battery is below 20%.

3. Reset All Settings

If your iPhone is slow or battery life plummets, reset all settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset). Note: This won’t delete your data!

FAQ: iPhone Background App Refresh

1. Does Background App Refresh drain my battery even when I’m not using my iPhone?

Yes, but only for apps you’ve allowed to refresh in the background. BAR lets apps check for updates even when your phone is locked or you’re not actively using them. This can slowly drain your battery, especially if apps use cellular data or 5G. To save power, set BAR to Wi-Fi only or disable it for apps you rarely use.

2. Will turning off Background App Refresh stop my notifications?

No! Notifications are handled by Apple’s servers, not the apps themselves. Even if BAR is off, you’ll still get alerts for messages, emails, or social media. For example, turning off BAR for Instagram won’t stop you from getting DM notifications.

3. How do I know which apps to turn off BAR for?

Ask yourself:

  • Do I need this app to update instantly? (e.g., Weather, Maps).
  • Do I use this app daily? If not, turn off its BAR.
    Check Settings > Battery to see which apps use the most background power. Games, shopping apps, or streaming services are common culprits.

4. Why is the Background App Refresh option grayed out?

Two reasons:

  1. Low Power Mode is on (yellow battery icon). Turn it off in Settings > Battery.
  2. Screen Time restrictions: Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Background App Activities > Allow.

5. Is it bad to close all my apps from the app switcher?

Yes! iOS freezes apps in the background, so they use almost no battery. Force-closing them makes your iPhone work harder to reopen them later. Only close apps if they freeze or crash. Learn more about optimizing your iPhone’s performance.

Conclusion

Background App Refresh is a powerful tool, but using it wisely is key. Customize it per app, stick to Wi-Fi updates, and let your iPhone handle the rest. By tweaking these settings, you’ll enjoy faster app launches, fewer battery worries, and more control over your data.

For more tips, explore our Ultimate iPhone Settings Guide and take charge of your device today!