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In the last week, two of my apps, ESPN and Speedtest, have run in the background on two separate occasions and drained my battery both times. This just started happening since my last Software Update. Is there anyone else experiencing this lately.
iPhone 11
Hi Imagemaker22,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. Battery life is important, and I'll be glad to see how I can help. I see you've noticed some apps are using significant battery life in the background.
As a start, have you made sure both apps are updated since updating your iOS software? Update apps or use automatic downloads
After updating the apps, see if the same behavior occurs. You may also want to try disabling Background App Refresh temporarily for those apps as a test: Maximizing Battery Life and Lifespan
"Background Activity. This indicates that the battery was used by the app while it was in the background — that is, while you were using another app.
I hope this helps. Take care.
Hi Imagemaker22,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. Battery life is important, and I'll be glad to see how I can help. I see you've noticed some apps are using significant battery life in the background.
As a start, have you made sure both apps are updated since updating your iOS software? Update apps or use automatic downloads
After updating the apps, see if the same behavior occurs. You may also want to try disabling Background App Refresh temporarily for those apps as a test: Maximizing Battery Life and Lifespan
"Background Activity. This indicates that the battery was used by the app while it was in the background — that is, while you were using another app.
I hope this helps. Take care.
Which Speedtest app are you using?
You can see in below screen shot that it has the background activity of 20+ hours consuming 51% battery. This is the first time I have noticed this. I have reinstalled the app too. Any reason why it is not showing in background app refresh list.
Thank you Joseph, I tried all of your suggestions. Why would my ESPN run in the background and use up my battery and then after I deleted that App, my SpeedTest App ran in the background so I deleted that App too. Something strange is going on since my last IOS 13.5 software update.
Hi Imagemaker22,
Thanks for replying. The specifics would vary by app, but if Background App Refresh is on for a specific app, it would be normal for it to sometimes use battery life. You could try reinstalling the app and turning Background Ground App refresh off, or adjust your settings, by tapping Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
Best wishes.
I am facing the same issue with Speedtest app. When I try to disable the background app refresh, I am not able to see this app in this list. So, not sure if this is the app issue or the iOS latest update issue. Please check. Thanks.
Speedtest by Ookla.
I use it and I'm not seeing any background activity. Have you deleted it then reinstalled? If yes and it is still doing that you need to contact Ookla.
It doesn't show in your background list because it should not run in the background. Something has gone awry with it.
That’s the point. There is no change in the app or phone except the latest version of iOS 13.5.1. So, I assume it is related to that only. Thanks
No, it can also be a problem with the app. Which is why I suggested removing it. In fact try removing it, doing a forced restart of your iPhone, and then add it back.
Background Activity on my iPhone 11
