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To limit background activity, turn off Background App Refresh on iPhone or restrict the specific app’s battery use on Android. These controls do not stop every kind of background work, and Android’s settings vary by phone. Limiting activity can delay updates, notifications, or other features that depend on it.
What “running in the background” means
Background activity is not one universal process or setting. On iPhone, an app you leave may run briefly before iOS suspends it. Suspended apps are not actively in use; Background App Refresh lets them check for updates and new content. Turning that feature off controls those checks, not every possible background task. Apple explains how app switching and Background App Refresh work.
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On Android, background activity can be managed through app battery settings, Battery Saver, and unused-app controls. The options and menu names differ by manufacturer and Android release, so use your phone maker’s instructions if the paths below do not match your device.
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- Open Settings.
- Tap General, then Background App Refresh.
- Tap Background App Refresh on the next screen.
- Choose Off to disable the feature, or choose Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi & Cellular Data to limit when it can refresh.
With the feature off, suspended apps will not use Background App Refresh to check for new content until you open them. If you choose Wi-Fi, that refresh feature is unavailable over cellular data.
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Restrict background activity on Android
Restrict an individual app’s battery use
Start with the app that shows substantial battery use rather than applying the strictest restriction to every app. Google’s general Android guidance recommends restricting apps with high battery use and directs users to their device manufacturer’s support instructions because the route varies. Google’s Android battery guidance provides the general approach.
On Pixel phones, Google documents this route: Settings > Apps > See all apps > [select an app] > App battery usage. Under Allow background usage, choose Optimized to leave battery optimization enabled. Disabling optimization can let an app run more while unused and consume more battery. This is a Pixel-specific example, not a universal Android menu path; Google notes that some Pixel battery instructions require Android 14 or later. See Google’s Pixel battery-use instructions.
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Use Battery Saver for broader limits
Battery Saver is a device-level power-saving mode, rather than a guaranteed switch that stops every app process. Google says it limits or turns off background activity; some apps, features, or network connections may be delayed as a result. Google describes Battery Saver’s effects and tradeoffs.
Review apps you no longer use
Android may stop apps that have not been used for a long time from running in the background or sending notifications. To exempt an app, go to Apps > Unused apps and turn off Pause app activity if unused for that app. Google explains unused-app behavior and how to change it.
Choose the control that fits your goal
| Control | Scope | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone: Background App Refresh off | Disables this refresh feature for apps. | Suspended apps cannot use this feature to check for new content until opened. |
| iPhone: Background App Refresh on Wi-Fi | Allows the feature on Wi-Fi. | Background refresh is unavailable over cellular data. |
| Android: per-app battery restriction or optimization | Targets selected apps; controls vary by manufacturer and model. | Background updates or other app activity may be reduced. |
| Android: Battery Saver | Applies broader device-level power-saving behavior. | Some apps, features, or network connections may be delayed. |
| Android: unused-app optimization | Applies to apps unused for a long period. | Background operation or notifications may stop for those apps. |
If your concern is battery drain
Check your phone’s battery-use information first, then restrict the specific app that shows substantial background use. On Android, Google recommends this targeted approach and provides the Pixel per-app route above. The available guidance does not establish a percentage of battery life you will save by changing these settings, so results should not be assumed in advance.
Background data is narrower than background activity. Google Play uses “background data” to describe data apps may download or notifications they may provide when not in use. Restricting data does not act as a universal switch for other kinds of background behavior. Google Play Help explains background data.
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Why force-closing apps is not the same fix
Swiping apps away does not change Background App Refresh or Android’s per-app battery controls. Apple says routinely closing all apps does not generally improve iPhone performance or battery life; recently used apps use power when active or performing specific background tasks. Use the relevant settings above instead of force-closing everything as a routine battery fix. Apple’s app-switching guidance describes the distinction.
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