Improve iPhone battery life by disabling ‘Background App Refresh’

While tinkering with the new iPhone 6 I discovered a setting that I was surprised even existed. While talking to other’s it seems many are also surprised about this setting called Background App Refresh and it does exactly what it says.


Many apps, by default, are allowed to refresh in the background. The more apps you have added the better the possibility that your phone’s battery is being used when you don’t even know it.

Simply go to Settings, General, Background App Refresh.



For me, my apps can refresh when I use the app so I took the top option to shut off Background App Refresh completely. If you have certain apps you want to be able to refresh as needed then simply uncheck the ones you don’t want to.

This should improve your cell phone battery life overall.