How to turn off Background App Refresh on an iPhone

2 min read · 4 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Background App Refresh lets apps that you are not using check for new content, so that it is ready when you open them. That costs some battery and mobile data. Switching it off for apps you rarely open is a sensible saving.

These screens are from iOS 26 on an iPhone 17. On older versions the rows are in the same place, with a slightly different look.

Step by step

1. 

   Open Settings and tap General

   General is in the first group of the main Settings list.

   Done

2. Tap Background App Refresh

   The page lists every app that can refresh in the background.

   Done

3. Switch off single apps

   Turn off the switch next to apps you seldom use, such as shopping apps and games. Leave it on for apps where fresh content matters, such as navigation or a messenger from another company.

   Done

4. Or change it for all apps at once

   Tap Background App Refresh at the top of the page. Choose Off, Wi-Fi, or Wi-Fi & Mobile Data. With Wi-Fi, apps refresh only when no mobile data is used.

   Done

Good to know

Notifications, phone calls and messages still arrive with Background App Refresh off.

You do not need to swipe apps away in the App Switcher to save battery. Apple says that closing all your apps does not improve performance. Apps you have used recently only use resources when they are active or doing a specific task.

An app that you quit from the App Switcher may not check for new content again until you open it.

Low Power Mode and Low Data Mode both switch Background App Refresh off for as long as they are on.

More ways to save energy: how to turn on Low Power Mode on an iPhone.

In short: Settings, General, Background App Refresh, switch off apps or choose Off or Wi-Fi.