App developers abusing background refresh

[ovo6]

Apps like instagram and Snapchat continue working in the background even with the settings off, in talking 30+ minutes on a full charge and I found out this on reddit wish idk why apple allow this . sorry if this has been posted here before


"Some apps classify themselves as media players, which allows them to bend the rules a bit with background activity. Facebook is notorious for abusing this."


https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/com...n_in_the_background_despite/?ref=search_posts
[doublepost=1496092044][/doublepost]I know apps take a little time to go into suspend mode but this is too much

 

[C DM]

Apps like instagram and Snapchat continue working in the background even with the settings off, in talking 30+ minutes on a full charge and I found out this on reddit wish idk why apple allow this . sorry if this has been posted here before


"Some apps classify themselves as media players, which allows them to bend the rules a bit with background activity. Facebook is notorious for abusing this."


https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/com...n_in_the_background_despite/?ref=search_posts
[doublepost=1496092044][/doublepost]I know apps take a little time to go into suspend mode but this is too much

This isn't really background (app) refresh, this is just basic background use that has been around for a long time and isn't controllable by the end user. The only thing to do is to close an app that might do that kind of thing after each use (aside from not using such an app).

 

[Mlrollin91]

Apps like instagram and Snapchat continue working in the background even with the settings off, in talking 30+ minutes on a full charge and I found out this on reddit wish idk why apple allow this . sorry if this has been posted here before


"Some apps classify themselves as media players, which allows them to bend the rules a bit with background activity. Facebook is notorious for abusing this."


https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/com...n_in_the_background_despite/?ref=search_posts
[doublepost=1496092044][/doublepost]I know apps take a little time to go into suspend mode but this is too much

Your getting background app refresh and background usage mixed up. It's been know for years that Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat use background resources when the app is in the background.

 

[cswifx]

This isn't really background (app) refresh, this is just basic background use that has been around for a long time and isn't controllable by the end user. The only thing to do is to close an app that might do that kind of thing after each use (aside from not using such an app).

Apps do not run in the background on iOS, they have to rely on iOS's infrastructure to perform simple actions like stay on GPS, push notifications, etc. If any, abusing the media player would be the most sensible way to stay 'in the background'. Apparently Facebook did this once by playing silent audio. It is unlike Android of course, which apps are allowed to run their own services and drain battery. There is no reason why apps would be using resources in the background, other than in their small time window they are allowed to finish up before iOS puts it in suspension.

 

[C DM]

Apps do not run in the background on iOS, they have to rely on iOS's infrastructure to perform simple actions like stay on GPS, push notifications, etc. If any, abusing the media player would be the most sensible way to stay 'in the background'. Apparently Facebook did this once by playing silent audio. It is unlike Android of course, which apps are allowed to run their own services and drain battery. There is no reason why apps would be using resources in the background, other than in their small time window they are allowed to finish up before iOS puts it in suspension.

Of course they run in the background, they are just typically limited as to when they can do it and for how long, with various exceptions for functionalities like audio playback, GPS, VoIP, and some others. That has been part of iOS for quite a while. Background (app) refresh is somewhat different, newer, and doesn't affect the other aspects of how apps can run in the background.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Apps do not run in the background on iOS, they have to rely on iOS's infrastructure to perform simple actions like stay on GPS, push notifications, etc. If any, abusing the media player would be the most sensible way to stay 'in the background'. Apparently Facebook did this once by playing silent audio. It is unlike Android of course, which apps are allowed to run their own services and drain battery. There is no reason why apps would be using resources in the background, other than in their small time window they are allowed to finish up before iOS puts it in suspension.

Some apps like SnapChat use location services to stay open in the background.

I keep Backgroubd app refresh entirely off. Yet apps still run in the background constantly. That is why I always force quit my apps when I know I won't be using them for a while. Because they do drain battery.

Also as I mentioned above and what C DM stated. Background app refresh and apps running in the background are totally different. BAR is for fetching new data and being ready to go. Background processes is the app literally running in the background.

 

[TwoBytes]

waze constantly monitors where you are to predict traffic. Great app but it's a battery killer. Last time I checked, you can't turn it off. If you want to use the app, you have to have it on or you can't navigate without that setting on. PITA.

 

[cswifx]

https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/252239/do-ios-apps-run-in-the-background

 

[SoN1NjA]

Apps are very limited when they're allowed to run in the background, and Apple doesn't allow them to play blank audio just to keep the app live

But for example apps are given 2 minutes for downloads after a user leaves the app (presses Home Button or moves to another app)

 

[C DM]

https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/252239/do-ios-apps-run-in-the-background

More or less mostly consistent with what has been said, perhaps with a couple of exceptions: all apps are allowed some time to wrap things up after a user leaves them, and in general, closing an app (swiping it up) will stop it from doing anything in the background (not counting some native apps or system services).
[doublepost=1496154637][/doublepost]

Apps are very limited when they're allowed to run in the background, and Apple doesn't allow them to play blank audio just to keep the app live

But for example apps are given 2 minutes for downloads after a user leaves the app (presses Home Button or moves to another app)

Well, to be fair, as I recall, Facebook was in fact caught having some (blank) audio consistently playing that was keeping it running in the background.

 

[SoN1NjA]

Well, to be fair, as I recall, Facebook was in fact caught having some (blank) audio consistently playing that was keeping it running in the background.

Yep, but it's been fixed

 

[C DM]

Yep, but it's been fixed

Right, I was just saying that that is the kind of thing that can allow an app to run in the background longer/indefinitely, even though it's "against the rules".

 

[zorinlynx]

waze constantly monitors where you are to predict traffic. Great app but it's a battery killer. Last time I checked, you can't turn it off. If you want to use the app, you have to have it on or you can't navigate without that setting on. PITA.

You can turn this off in Waze settings. You can also put the app to "sleep" before you leave it, which prevents this.

 

[xoAnna]

waze constantly monitors where you are to predict traffic. Great app but it's a battery killer. Last time I checked, you can't turn it off. If you want to use the app, you have to have it on or you can't navigate without that setting on. PITA.

Yeah. I loved Waze and used it for a long time but I got sick of having to enable/disable location everytime I'd reached my destination, so I ultimately deleted it. It had less qualms about doing so back in the day when the only options in the iOS app location settings were Always Allow or Never Allow, but after Apple added the much-needed Allow Only While Using option awhile ago, I find it needlessly intrusive (and annoying) when apps like Waze STILL refuse to implement that option into their settings. I have a personal rule that I delete any apps that don't give me that 3rd option.
Sorry if this is somewhat O/T.

 

[C DM]

You can turn this off in Waze settings. You can also put the app to "sleep" before you leave it, which prevents this.

Not sure there's always a setting for it, and in location services there isn't the option to allow usage only while the app is being used.

 

[lemimouth]

About apps in background, how does WhatsApp works ? When using WhatsApp web or the WhatsApp app on a computer, it works only if the phone is connected (wifi or cellular), but it works even if WhatsApp is not running (background app refresh disabled and WhatsApp killed from task manager). So, even if the app is killed, there must be some background process still running to communicate with the web / computer app version, right ?

 

[iOSUser7]

I'm constantly closing (from the app switcher) both Snapchat and Facebook, when I'm done using them, since 2-3 years now.
I highly suggest you do the same, your battery life will be much better.

 

[Mlrollin91]

I'm constantly closing (from the app switcher) both Snapchat and Facebook, when I'm done using them, since 2-3 years now, I highly suggest you do the same, your battery life will be much better.

Yes, this. I try to close out Snapchat as soon as I'm finished, even if I am going to reopen in 5 minutes. It just consumes too much in the background. As to FB, I deleted the app years ago and went to the browser. Its not as good, but no battery drain whatsoever.

 

[AeroZ]

Not sure there's always a setting for it, and in location services there isn't the option to allow usage only while the app is being used.

Use this:

 

[RichardF]

That's one of the reasons I don't need any of those time/ life sucking apps on my phones.
I also have background refresh disabled all together.

The nerve... it's incredible.

I also refuse to use any app that insists on trying to have permanent access to Location Services.
Waze is one of them.
BMW listened and added the while in use option a couple of udpate ago.
Apple should impose the "while in use" option for location services on developers.


Minimalism is where it's at.
Here is my current screen/ fav set-up.

 

[C DM]

Use this:

I guess that's not that much different than just closing the app when not using it (as in swiping it up). I thought you might be referencing some option for it to not use location services in the background automatically when you simply leave the app.

 

[RichardF]

Plus how can you trust it to actually "turn off".

 

[AeroZ]

I guess that's not that much different than just closing the app when not using it (as in swiping it up). I thought you might be referencing some option for it to not use location services in the background automatically when you simply leave the app.

At least this makes it possible to use Waze without draining battery in the background.

 

[C DM]

At least this makes it possible to use Waze without draining battery in the background.

Well, when you are using it you need that option on, and then when you are done you need to hit that "power" button to turn it off. I guess I don't see much of a difference between that and simply closing the app when you are done.

 

[AeroZ]

Well, when you are using it you need that option on, and then when you are done you need to hit that "power" button to turn it off. I guess I don't see much of a difference between that and simply closing the app when you are done.

And what makes it so hard to tap a button before pressing Home button?