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Background App Refresh

I want to change the background app refresh on some apps to save battery power. However when I get that part, from "general" to Background app refresh, all of it is grayed out. I have 13.3.1 software version, so it is up to date. Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this?

Posted on Feb 19, 2020 1:57 PM

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Posted on Feb 25, 2020 1:23 PM

Screen time settings -> privacy and content restrictions -> background app activities. If this is set to “disallow” then those other background app settings will be grayed out as you’ve disallowed all app background activity altogether. Since nothing has permission to update in the background, the individual app settings don’t apply while all background activity is disallowed.

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Feb 25, 2020 1:23 PM in response to caron208

Screen time settings -> privacy and content restrictions -> background app activities. If this is set to “disallow” then those other background app settings will be grayed out as you’ve disallowed all app background activity altogether. Since nothing has permission to update in the background, the individual app settings don’t apply while all background activity is disallowed.

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Feb 22, 2020 7:08 AM in response to caron208

Hello caron208, 


Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Communities! I see from your post that you're wanting to make some changes to the Background App Refresh setting on your iPhone. 


You mentioned that you found it all greyed out when you went to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. When the feature is turned off, it will typically appear without the green "switches".


To make changes to the settings, you'll want to turn it on and then make the changes to the individual apps listed. You can learn more about it under, "Use Background App Refresh," from this article:  Switch apps on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch


If you're not seeing any way to turn it on at the top of the screen, be sure to Restart your iPhone, and try the steps again.


All the best!

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Feb 24, 2020 12:31 PM in response to caron208

Hi caron208,


Thank you for the update. Try these steps:


1 - Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.


2 - There is an entry above the list of apps. Do you see "Background App Refresh On >" or "Background App Refresh Off >" when you look at that line. If it is showing that it is "Off" tap on the > and turn it on. It may appear slightly grey, try tapping on it, and you should be moved to the next screen.


3 - With Background App Refresh on, you can make your changes to the apps.


If you're not seeing the entry listed in step 2, or if you get no response when you tap on the " > " you'll want to Contact Apple Support for more help.


Cheers.


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Background App Refresh

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