iPhone Background App Refresh Not Working? Fixes

If Background App Refresh is not working on your iPhone, the fix usually involves checking the feature is enabled for the specific app in Settings, ensuring Low Power Mode is off, and verifying the app is allowed to refresh over your current network (Wi-Fi or cellular). Below are the detailed steps and the underlying reasons why this feature sometimes stops working, along with troubleshooting for common scenarios.

What Background App Refresh Does

Background App Refresh lets apps check for new contentâ€”like email, news, or social media feedsâ€”before you open them. When it works, you see fresh content almost instantly. When it doesn’t, apps show stale data and you have to pull-to-refresh manually.

The feature is controlled per-app and globally. It also depends on system conditions: iOS may suspend background activity when the battery is low, when the device is in Low Power Mode, or when the network connection is poor. Understanding these dependencies helps you pinpoint why a particular app isn’t updating.

Check the Global and Per-App Settings

The most common reason Background App Refresh stops is that it was turned off either globally or for the specific app. Follow these steps:

Open Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
Make sure the toggle at the top is ON (green).
Scroll down to find the app that isn’t refreshing and confirm its individual toggle is also ON.
If you see â€œOffâ€� next to the global toggle, turn it on. If you prefer to save battery, you can select Wi-Fi instead of Wi-Fi & Cellularâ€”the app will then refresh only when connected to Wi-Fi.

If the app’s toggle is greyed out, it may be because the app doesn’t support background refresh, or because Screen Time restrictions are blocking it (see below).

Turn Off Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode is a battery-saving feature that automatically disables Background App Refresh to extend battery life. When it’s on, you’ll see a yellow battery icon in the status bar.

To check if it’s on:

Go to Settings > Battery and toggle Low Power Mode off.
Alternatively, open Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner) and tap the battery icon to turn it off.

If you frequently need Low Power Mode, be aware that background refresh will remain off until you disable it. This is a common culprit for â€œBackground App Refresh not workingâ€� complaints.

Check Network and Cellular Data Permissions

Background refresh requires a network connection. If the app is set to refresh only on Wi-Fi but you’re on cellular, it won’t update. Also, if the app has cellular data disabled, it won’t refresh over cellular.

To verify:

Go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) and scroll down to the app in question. Make sure its toggle is ON if you want it to use cellular data.
If you’re on Wi-Fi, ensure you’re connected to a stable network. A weak or intermittent Wi-Fi signal can prevent background refreshes.

Also, if you have a VPN active, it can interfere with background connections. Try disconnecting the VPN temporarily to see if that resolves it.

Restart the App and the iPhone

Sometimes the app itself gets stuck. Force-quit the app and reopen it:

Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or double-click the Home button on older models) to open the App Switcher.
Swipe up on the app’s card to close it.
Wait a few seconds, then tap the app icon to relaunch it.

If that doesn’t help, restart your iPhone. A simple restart clears temporary glitches that can affect background tasks. Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the â€œslide to power offâ€� appears, then slide to turn off. After a few seconds, turn it back on.

Check Screen Time Restrictions

Screen Time can limit background activity for certain apps, especially if you’ve set app limits or content restrictions. To check:

Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
If it’s enabled, tap Allowed Apps and make sure the app you’re troubleshooting is allowed.
Also check App Limitsâ€”if a limit is set for the app, background refresh may be blocked when the limit is reached.

If you have Screen Time enabled for a child’s device, this is a common reason background refresh stops working.

Update iOS and the App

Outdated software can have bugs that affect background refresh. Check for updates:

Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available iOS updates.
Open the App Store, tap your profile picture, and scroll down to see pending updates. Update the specific app.

Developers often fix background refresh issues in updates, so keeping everything current is a simple but effective fix.

Reset All Settings (Last Resort)

If none of the above works, you can reset all settings without erasing your data. This will reset Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth connections, and all system settings to defaultâ€”but it won’t delete your photos, apps, or files.

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.
Enter your passcode and confirm.

After the reset, you’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi and re-enable any custom settings. This often clears any hidden configuration that was blocking background refresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Background App Refresh turn off by itself?

It usually turns off automatically when Low Power Mode is enabled. iOS also may temporarily disable it when the battery level is critically low or when the device is in an extreme power-saving state. Check your battery settings to see if Low Power Mode is on.

Does Background App Refresh drain battery?

Yes, it can use battery because it wakes the app periodically to check for updates. However, iOS is designed to learn your usage patterns and refresh apps when you’re most likely to open them, minimizing battery impact. If you’re concerned, you can disable it for non-essential apps.

Can I set Background App Refresh to only work on Wi-Fi?

Yes. In Settings > General > Background App Refresh, choose Wi-Fi instead of Wi-Fi & Cellular. This saves cellular data and battery.

Why does a specific app never refresh in the background even though it’s enabled?

Some apps don’t support background refresh due to their design (e.g., games, certain utilities). Also, if the app has been force-quit frequently, iOS may learn not to refresh it. Additionally, check if the app has its own in-app setting for background updatesâ€”some apps have a toggle within their own settings menu.

Will resetting all settings delete my data?

No. Resetting all settings only resets system preferences like Wi-Fi passwords, wallpapers, and accessibility settings. It does not delete your personal data, photos, or apps. However, it’s always wise to back up before doing any reset.

Does Background App Refresh work when the iPhone is locked?

Yes, it can work when the device is locked, but it depends on the app and the system’s power management. iOS may delay refreshes until the device is connected to Wi-Fi and charging, especially for less frequently used apps.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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