What does background app refresh mean?

Pronunciation

/bækˈɡraʊnd æp riːˈfrɛʃ/

Part of Speech

Phrase

Definition

A feature in mobile devices that allows apps to continue running in the background and refresh their content, even when not actively in use, in order to provide up-to-date information when the app is reopened.

Examples

Enabling background app refresh can help keep your social media apps updated.
Disabling background app refresh can conserve battery life.

Synonyms

Background sync
Offline updates

Antonyms

Foreground app refresh
Manual app updates

Additional Information

Background app refresh is a feature that allows apps to periodically refresh their content in the background, even when the user is not actively using the app. This feature is useful for apps that require real-time updates, such as social media or news apps. However, it can also consume battery life and data, so it’s recommended to disable it for apps that don’t require frequent updates.

In iOS devices, background app refresh can be enabled or disabled for individual apps in the Settings app. In Android devices, this feature is typically managed through the device’s settings or the app’s individual settings.

Etymology

The term “background app refresh” is a combination of the words “background,” referring to the app running in the background, and “refresh,” referring to the act of updating the app’s content.

Usage Notes

When using the phrase “background app refresh,” it’s common to specify the type of app or the context in which the feature is being referred to, such as “background app refresh for social media apps.”

Cultural References

The concept of background app refresh has been referenced in various tech-related articles, blogs, and tutorials.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

None

Related Words or Phrases

Background sync
Offline updates
Auto-refresh

Collocations

enable/disable background app refresh
configure background app refresh settings

Frequency of Use

The phrase “background app refresh” is moderately used in tech-related contexts, particularly in relation to mobile devices and app development.

Common Misspellings

backround app refresh
background app refesh