Many iPhone users notice the same pattern: battery life feels normal, then suddenly starts dropping faster after turning on Background App Refresh. The phone may feel slightly warm, the battery percentage falls even when the device is idle, and usage statistics show activity from apps you haven’t opened recently.
This usually isn’t a battery defect. It’s a behavior change.
Why It Happens
Background App Refresh allows apps to update content when you’re not actively using them. News apps fetch headlines, social media checks for updates, cloud apps sync data, and messaging platforms prepare notifications.
When many apps are allowed to refresh simultaneously, the iPhone performs frequent background network activity, location checks, and data processing. Each task is small, but together they prevent the phone from entering deeper low-power idle states. The result is steady battery drain throughout the day.
The issue becomes more noticeable if:
- Several social media or shopping apps are installed
- Apps frequently access location services
- Weak cellular signal forces repeated data retries
- Background refresh is allowed over mobile data
Step-by-Step Fixes
Limit Background App Refresh to Important Apps
Most users don’t need every app refreshing in the background.
- Open Settings.
- Go to General → Background App Refresh.
- Leave the feature enabled, but turn it off for non-essential apps.
Disable refresh for games, shopping apps, travel apps, or anything that doesn’t need real-time updates.
Restrict Background Refresh to Wi-Fi Only
Mobile data refresh consumes more power because cellular radios use higher energy, especially in unstable signal areas.
- Open Settings → General.
- Select Background App Refresh.
- Choose Wi-Fi instead of Wi-Fi & Mobile Data.
This alone often stabilizes battery usage.
Check Battery Usage Statistics
The Battery section shows which apps are actively consuming power in the background.
- Go to Settings → Battery.
- Review apps showing high Background Activity.
If an app appears unexpectedly high on the list, disable its background refresh or consider reinstalling it.
Review Location Access
Some apps combine Background App Refresh with location tracking, which increases drain.
- Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services.
- Change unnecessary apps to While Using the App.
Restart After Changing Settings
After adjusting permissions, restart the iPhone. This clears suspended background processes that may still be running under previous settings.
Optional Alternative
If battery drain continues, turn Background App Refresh off entirely for a day and monitor usage. Notifications will still work, but apps will update only when opened. If battery life improves significantly, re-enable refresh selectively instead of globally.
Once unnecessary background activity is reduced, battery performance typically returns to normal without further adjustment.