What does the run in the background function do?

[Kit Fai Ho]

Let app run in background function in the Battery Saver app

For example, in iOS there's a background refresh option. It states that apps like Facebook will refresh the news feed even if it is suspended.

What does the run in background function do? Can anyone explain it fully like it's limitation and stuffs?

 

[gpobernardo]

Re: Let app run in background function in the Battery Saver app

For example, in iOS there's a background refresh option. It states that apps like Facebook will refresh the news feed even if it is suspended.

What does the run in background function do? Can anyone explain it fully like it's limitation and stuffs?

From what I understand, certain apps have two "running versions": the main app task and the background task of the app. The main app is what you see when you launch the app; the background task is what handles push notifications, location tracking, data logging, etc.. when you exit or switch from the main app. Hence, if you select "Allow app to run in the background", that means the app will still "run" even if it is not in the foreground of your screen. Even if you exit your, for example, Facebook app you don't need to run Facebook just to receive notifications and updates.

This feature is pretty useful for apps which send you push notifications, such as news and weather apps. It is also useful for apps that track your location or route (like Waze or NaviComputer). Enabling them to run in the background means that they will still log and track your location if you switch apps and even if your screen goes off.

The only downside I can see in enabling too many apps to run in the background is a shorter battery life. This is why when your battery level reaches 20% and you enable battery saver all background tasks are temporarily halted (except for the basics like SMS and receiving calls).

Hope this helps.

 

[Kit Fai Ho]

Re: Let app run in background function in the Battery Saver app

Thanks for the info.