What is background data?

Background app refresh — is the use of mobile data by apps when they’re not in active use. If you allow background data usage, apps will constantly update themselves in the background with the newest information and content.

How to block background Apps and Data on Windows 10?

Apps use data when you actively use them, but mobile data is also running when you’re not touching your phone. That’s the difference between foreground and background data. Foreground data is used only when you directly interact with your phone, while background data is used even if the app is closed.

How to restrict background data on Android

If you want to be sure background data is fully under control you can turn off data on Android apps when they’re not in use. here’s a step-by-step guide to restricting Android background data.

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Mobile network.
2. Tap App data usage to see which apps are taking up the most data during a specific date range.
3. To restrict background data on a specific app, tap it and toggle off Background data.

Note: If you have a Samsung phone, go to Settings > Connections > Data usage > and Mobile data usage. Tap the specific app you want to restrict data for and toggle off Allow background data usage.

How to turn off background data on Android

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Data Saver.
2. Toggle on Use Data Saver to stop all apps from using background data when those apps aren’t in use.
3. You can also tap Unrestricted data to allow up to three apps to use background data even when Data Saver mode is on.

Note: If you have a Samsung, go to Settings > Connections > Data usage > and Data saver. Toggle on Turn on now to stop all apps from using background data when they’re not being used.

Allow background data usage Android

If background data is turned off or restricted, you can turn it back on using the same steps top above.

Here’s how to turn on background data usage on Android:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Network & internet.
3. Select Data Saver.
4. Toggle off Use Data Saver.

Or, turn background data on for individual apps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Network & internet.
3. Select Mobile network.
4. Tap App data usage.
5. Select the app you want to manage and toggle on Background data.

How to restrict iPhone background app refresh

1. Go to iPhone Settings and tap General.
2. Select Background App Refresh and choose which apps you want to restrict background data on by toggling the switch from green to gray.

How to turn off iPhone background app refresh

1. Go to iPhone Settings and tap General.
2. Select Background App Refresh, then tap the Background App Refresh setting at the top of the next panel.
3. Now choose one of the following options: Off, Wi-Fi, or Wi-Fi & Mobile Data.

• Off blocks apps from updating in the background completely.
• Wi-Fi allows apps to refresh data in the background.
• Wi-Fi & Mobile Data allows apps to refresh data in the background.

Allow background data usage iPhone

If background app refresh is turned off or restricted, you can turn it back on using the same steps top above.

Here’s how to turn on background app refresh for individual apps on iPhone.

1. Go to Settings and tap General.
2. Select Background App Refresh. Choose which apps you want to enable background data for by toggling the switch from gray to green.

And here’s how to turn on background app refresh for all the apps on your iPhone.

1. Go to Settings and tap General.
2. Select Background App Refresh.
3. Select Background App Refresh again at the top of the next panel.
4. Turn on background app refresh for all apps by selecting Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi & Mobile Data.

What happens when you restrict background data?

If you restrict background data, apps will pull the most recent updates or send notifications only if you’re connected to Wi-Fi or actually launch the app. When background data usage is restricted, apps do not use mobile data if you’re not using them.