Alex Ruben
How To Detect Background Apps on Your iPhone
Managing what’s running behind the scenes on the iPhone can be a bit hit or miss. Sometimes apps keep running in the background, gobbling up battery or data, even if they’re not actively used. This guide? It’s about getting a handle on that, so you cut down unnecessary drain and maybe squeeze a little more juice out of your device. It’s not foolproof — things get tricky with background processes — but these are the most direct ways to tame that background chaos.
How to Fix Background App Drain on Your iPhone
Check the App Switcher to Close Unwanted Apps
This is the quick and dirty method. When apps pile up in the background, they can keep running their processes, updates, or notifications. So, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or double-click the Home button if you’ve got an older iPhone). This opens the App Switcher, showing all recent and open apps. It’s kind of weird that iOS loves keeping stuff open, but hey, that’s Apple for ya. Swipe upward on any of those app previews to close them. This won’t stop all background activity permanently, but it helps if apps are stubbornly draining your battery.
Dig into Background App Refresh Settings
This one’s more granular. Head over to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Here, you’ll see a list of apps allowed to update or run in the background. Turn it off for apps that don’t really need to update constantly. For example, if you rarely need Booking.com or social media apps updating when you’re not actively using them, toggle that off. On some setups, this tweak alone can save a noticeable amount of battery or data. Yes, sometimes this setting is all or nothing, so pick your poison depending on what notifications or updates you want to keep active. It’s kind of weird that you have to do this in Settings, but that’s iOS for ya. On some machines this fails the first time, then works after a restart — so if it feels a little buggy, try rebooting after toggling.
Disable Location Services for Apps When Not Needed
If background apps are also tracking your location, that’s another drain. Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services. For apps that don’t need your location constantly, set them to While Using or Never. This may seem obvious, but it’s often overlooked, and it can make a real difference in power consumption. Sometimes apps keep requesting location updates in the background, and disabling that helps cut down on unnecessary activity.
Review and Limit Push Notifications
Sometimes apps stay active because they’re pushing notifications constantly. Head into Settings > Notifications, find apps you don’t care about interrupting, and toggle notifications off. Not only does this reduce background activity, but it also stops your lock screen from lighting up at every little alert. Naturally, if notifications are needed (like for chats, emails, or reminders), just temper the worst offenders.
Use Screen Time to Limit App Usage
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with apps running in the background, go to Settings > Screen Time. Here, you can set time limits for specific apps or categories. This is a more indirect approach, but sometimes it helps remind you to cut back on obsessive app habits, which in turn reduces background process initiation or updates. Works surprisingly well on some devices to keep overall app refresh lower.
Of course, iOS is pretty aggressive about background processes because it’s designed for simplicity. Sometimes, apps will sneak back in after you close them or toggle settings. Restarting your device can help clear stuck processes, so if background apps seem particularly persistent, give that a shot. Also, keep an eye on battery usage stats in Settings > Battery to see which apps are still the biggest drain. That can guide which app’s background settings need more scrutiny. Honestly, on some updates, things get wonky — toggling settings, restarting, or removing problematic apps might be necessary. Of course, Apple keeps tightening background restrictions, but some apps are stubborn at best.
Getting your background apps under control isn’t always seamless, and iOS makes it a bit hard to fully lock things down without sacrificing some functionality. But, doing some periodic cleanup—closing apps in the App Switcher, toggling off background refreshes, disabling unnecessary location and notifications—can definitely eke out some extra battery and data savings. Just remember that some background activity is necessary for live updates and notifications, so don’t go overboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are some apps still draining my battery even after closing them?
Because iOS sometimes keeps apps suspended rather than fully closing them, and background refreshes or notifications might still kick in. Closing apps can help, but those background processes may still run unless settings are adjusted.
Is it safe to turn off Background App Refresh completely?
Generally, yes — it can save battery and data, but some apps might lose functionality like timely notifications or updates. Decide based on what’s more important for your usage.
Can toggling these settings fix my battery life?
Sometimes. It’s not guaranteed, especially if apps are overly aggressive or if iOS updates introduce new quirks. But, it often helps reduce unnecessary background activity.