Like many social media applications, Instagram utilizes a feature called “Background App Refresh” to periodically wake up in the background and download new photos, videos, and Direct Messages to your feed. This ensures that the moment you open the app, fresh content is instantly ready for you to view. However, because Instagram is incredibly media-heavy, this constant background downloading can significantly drain your iPhone’s battery and rapidly deplete your monthly cellular data allowance. If you want to conserve resources, you can revoke Instagram’s ability to refresh in the background.
How to Turn Off Background Refresh for Instagram
You can manage this background permission directly in your iPhone’s system settings.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down the main settings menu until you reach the alphabetical list of all your installed third-party apps (usually near the bottom).
- Locate and tap on Instagram.
- Look for the toggle switch labelled Background App Refresh.
- Tap the green switch to move it to the Off position (the toggle will turn grey).
From this point forward, Instagram will remain completely suspended when you are not actively using it. It will only consume your battery and download new photos or videos when you actually tap the app icon and bring it to the foreground on your screen.