Control background app activity on iPhone and Android mobile devices

Background activity can drain your battery and use your mobile data without you realizing it. Apps refresh in the background to keep content fresh, helping you pick up where you left off. The downside is that this constant activity can strain your battery and drain your data plan. The good news is that you can limit when apps refresh and choose to let them update only over Wi-Fi.

We will tell you how to switch background app refresh on iPhone to Wi-Fi only. You also get Android Steps so you can control background activity on any device.

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ADAPTIVE POWER IN IOS 26 INCREASES IPHONE BATTERY LIFE

Background app refresh can drain battery and data by allowing apps to update themselves when you’re not using them. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why this parameter is important

Apps updating in the background use data and power even when you don’t open them. When you switch the feature to Wi-Fi only, you slow down this background leak. This helps save mobile data. This can also help extend battery life because apps refresh less often.

What background app refresh does

Background app refresh allows apps to update content while you use other apps or leave your phone locked. When you return to an app, it’s already refreshed and ready. This convenience comes at a cost. Each refresh uses data and battery power. By limiting this feature to Wi-Fi, you keep apps up to date without using your mobile plan.

How to Set Background App Refresh to Wi-Fi Only on iPhone

Follow these steps:

• Open Settings
• Faucet General
• Faucet Background app refresh
• Faucet Background app refresh Again

Select Wi-Fi to limit Wi-Fi connection updates

PREVENT FOREIGN APPLICATIONS FROM HARVESTING YOUR PERSONAL DATA

Switching from background app refresh to Wi-Fi only helps iPhone users reduce unnecessary data usage. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

If you want to completely block background updates, choose Disabled in step 4. This prevents apps from refreshing when you’re not using them. This saves battery, but it can delay updates when you open an app that needs new content before you can use it.

How to Limit Background Activity on Android

Android doesn’t use the exact name Background App Refresh, but it offers similar controls. You can restrict data and background activity, which helps reduce data usage and extend battery life.

Limit background data per app on Android

SSettings may vary depending on your Android phone manufacturer

• Open Settings
• Faucet Network and Internet Or Relationships
• Faucet Use of data
• Faucet Mobile data usage
• Select an app
• Turn Basic data disabled so the app only updates over Wi-Fi

Limit battery background activity on Android

SSettings may vary depending on your Android phone manufacturer

• Open Settings
• Faucet Battery
• Faucet Battery usage
• Choose an app
• Faucet Manage background activity
• Turn Allow background activity disabled

Use Data Saver for extra control on Android

SSettings may vary depending on your Android phone manufacturer

• Open Settings
• Faucet Network and Internet Or Relationships
• Faucet Data saver, or you may need to press first Use of data and then Data saver
• Turn the switch on to light up Data saver

Data Saver prevents most apps from using background data unless you choose to allow it.

5 HIDDEN BATTERY DRAINERS YOU CAN FIX NOW

Android users can restrict background data and activities to save battery life and reduce mobile data consumption. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Kurt’s Key Takeaways

Changing background refresh settings is one of the quickest ways to protect your battery and data. In just a few quick steps, your phone runs more efficiently and your apps use fewer resources. Whether you’re using an iPhone or Android device, these settings help you take back control.

What phone advice or frustrations should we consider for a future story? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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