Smartphones and their multitude of apps have become an integral part of our daily life. Whether it’s sending messages, organizing our schedule, or browsing social media, we heavily rely on various apps. But have you ever wondered what goes behind to keep these applications updated and functioning smoothly? One factor that plays a crucial role in app functioning is the ‘Background App Refresh.’ However, many smartphone users may not be fully aware of what this function means or how it impacts their phone usage. This article aims to shed some light on this beneficial function and its implications.
Background App Refresh is a feature found in smartphones, notably iOS devices, which allows apps to update themselves in the background when they’re not in use. It lets these apps check for updates and new content even when they’re not actively running on your screen. For instance, an email app can check for new messages, or a news app can refresh the latest headlines even when you’re using another app or when your phone’s screen is locked.
Think of it as a virtual assistant that keeps things up-to-date inside your apps even when you are busy with other tasks. So when you revisit the app, the updated data is already there, saving you from waiting for the latest content to load. This ensures that you always have the most current information at your fingertips.
However, it’s essential to understand that Background App Refresh can impact your device’s performance and battery life, depending on the number of apps that are accessing it and the frequency of updates they require. More apps using Background App Refresh often mean more battery consumption as your device performs updates, even in its idle state. This is why your device allows you to control which apps can use this feature and when.
On iOS devices, you can manage these settings by going to ‘Settings’ -> ‘General’ -> ‘Background App Refresh.’ Here you can toggle the function on or off entirely or customize it for specific apps depending on your usage and preferences. You can choose to have all apps use this feature, none at all, or select particular apps that you’d like to refresh in the background.
This also has advantages related to data usage, especially if you use cellular data. By managing the apps that can use Background App Refresh, you can control which apps consume your data in the background.
In conclusion, Background App Refresh is a beneficial feature that helps keep your apps updated with the latest content. However, prudent use is recommended to manage battery life and data usage effectively. By customizing this feature according to your needs and habits, you can enhance your overall smartphone experience.