I did notice that a few of them were enabled on my iPhone XR after updating to iOS 13 - not sure if it was 13.1.1 or 13.1.2.
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Other Do we really need background app refresh?
- Thread starter revmacian
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That’s my first thought. It must have happened either when I changed from the XS Max to the 11 Pro Max or when I updated to 13.0 which was shortly after getting the Pro Max. I’m correcting this tonight. Thanks again.
It had to be the update, since this same thing happened to me and I have been on this iPhone XR since March of this year (iOS 12.4.1 I think).
I’m glad this thread was able to help someone
I do have most them turned off and only have ones that I need turned on That I need. Still have great battery life and no impact on the battery life.
I've never found it to do ANYTHING. Apps are still in a suspended state a little while after putting them in the background. I switch Background Refresh to OFF and haven't noticed any thing negative or positive.
I used to have it off with no ill effect until I started using a cycling app (cyclemeter). The app doesn't need background refresh unless, well, unless it's in the background. That happens if, whilst it's running and recording my ride, I press the home button and run another app such as the camera, google maps etc. temporarily.
I check the background refresh list of apps every now and again, as new or re-installed apps always set themselves to enabled. And I only want that one app enabled.
I check the background refresh list of apps every now and again, as new or re-installed apps always set themselves to enabled. And I only want that one app enabled.
Agreed! With above^
Cyclemeter definitely needs Background Refresh set to ON to be able to record when the lock screen is active - I forgot about that. I use that app every day.
Cyclemeter definitely needs Background Refresh set to ON to be able to record when the lock screen is active - I forgot about that. I use that app every day.
It’s all about getting alerted before you actively open the app.
A simple example on weather apps: In Dallas, we have hail storms that can pop up quickly even if the sun is shining. So while I may not be planning to leave the house, or even check the weather, I love that it alerts me that lightning has struck nearby or a hail storm warning is in effect - because then I can go move my daughter’s car into the garage and prevent hail damage.
There’s probably a lot of other similar scenarios. But I believe the background app refresh isn’t JUST about having the latest content when you open the app, but certain realtime alerts when you don’t.
Wouldn’t alerts, or basically notifications, come separately thought the notification service, untested to background refresh or anything like that?
Turn background refresh off its for app companies to track you that’s all....
https://www.macobserver.com/news/background-app-refresh-data/
https://www.macrumors.com/2019/05/28/background-refresh-apps-sending-data/
https://www.macobserver.com/news/background-app-refresh-data/
https://www.macrumors.com/2019/05/28/background-refresh-apps-sending-data/
This is used by apps like Google Photos etc. to upload your photos in the background automatically without your knowledge. The notifications is important. If you do not interact with the app after a certain time, the background app refresh right cannot persist forever. That's why Google Photos always apply effects to your photo and ask you to check it out.
Imagine what else can it do if it can upload your images constantly without your input.
Imagine what else can it do if it can upload your images constantly without your input.
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I don’t allow Google products on my devices. I consider Google to be on the same list with cancer, poison ivy and bird droppings.This is used by apps like Google Photos etc. to upload your photos in the background automatically without your knowledge. The notifications is important. If you do not interact with the app after a certain time, the background app refresh right cannot persist forever. That's why Google Photos always apply effects to your photo and ask you to check it out.
Imagine what can it do if it can upload your images constantly without your input.
Some, yes. Not all. And some apps require background refresh in order to function properly. So it's not a blanket on or off thing but rather a case by case. Most can be turned off.
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In an overall sense, yes, but as related to notifications, those don’t really depend on that.
Depends on the app. I've already found a couple that won't notify unless app refresh is on. Ones that work with local hardware. I'm testing others as time allows.
I’ve been testing as well and I have found one app that requires BAR in order to function properly; iSmoothRun. However, in the case of a run tracking app, I would simply keep the app in the foreground while running.
I use either mapmyrun or nike run club. And i'll have music/podcasts going at the same time. I haven't tested those apps in combo yet.
But I have hundreds of apps on my phone and testing them all isn't practical. Most can be turned off. I'm just working on the ones that I suspect could be an issue. Mostly related to various workout apps, various navigation apps, package tracking(deliveries app) sleep and heart rate tracking apps. Shortcuts, smarthings, IFTTT, sonos, ynab and my home security cameras that function locally. Some others.
This.
I’d like to take a moment to thank everyone who is actively testing things here. You folks are why the rest of us end up learning new things.