The Silent Battery Drain
To make opening apps feel faster, Apple utilizes a feature called “Background App Refresh.” While your iPhone is sitting in your pocket with the screen turned off, iOS allows applications like Twitter, Instagram, and your email client to secretly wake up, connect to the cellular network, and download new data. When you finally unlock your phone and open the app, the newest posts are already there waiting for you. However, this convenience comes at a massive cost to your battery. The constant background radio transmissions will rapidly drain your device. If you are struggling to make your iPhone last a full day, you must shut down this background activity.
How to Turn Off Background App Refresh
You can completely sever the background internet connection via the General settings.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on General.
- Tap on Background App Refresh.
- At the very top of the screen, tap the master Background App Refresh button.
- You will see three options: Off, Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi & Cellular Data.
- Tap on Off to completely disable the feature globally.
Manual Updates Only
The change takes effect immediately. Applications are now strictly forbidden from accessing the internet while they are closed. The only way an app can download new data is if you actively launch the app and physically have it open on your screen. While you may have to wait one or two seconds for a feed to refresh when you open an app, your overall daily battery life will increase significantly.