Pokémon Go, the popular augmented reality game, has captured the hearts of millions of players worldwide. However, one of the most common concerns among players is the significant battery drain caused by the game. One feature that contributes to this issue is Background App Refresh, a setting that allows Pokémon Go to continue running in the background, even when you’re not actively playing. But what exactly does Background App Refresh do, and is it necessary for an optimal Pokémon Go experience?
What Is Background App Refresh In Pokémon Go?
Background App Refresh is a feature that enables Pokémon Go to continue running in the background, allowing the game to perform certain tasks even when you’re not actively playing. This feature is not unique to Pokémon Go, as many other apps, including social media and messaging platforms, use it to stay connected to the internet and receive updates.
In the context of Pokémon Go, Background App Refresh enables the game to:
- Fetch new Pokémon and spawn points: Even when you’re not actively playing, the game can refresh the Pokémon and spawn points in your area, ensuring that you’re always aware of new Pokémon to catch.
- Update your location and movements: Background App Refresh allows the game to track your location and movements, enabling features like Incense and Lures to function properly.
- Send and receive data from the servers: The game can communicate with Niantic’s servers to receive updates, such as new events, research tasks, or notifications.
How Does Background App Refresh Affect Your Device’s Battery Life?
The primary concern with Background App Refresh is its impact on your device’s battery life. When enabled, the feature can consume significant battery power, especially if you’re playing Pokémon Go extensively. Here are some reasons why:
- Constant location tracking: The game’s constant tracking of your location and movements can quickly drain your battery.
- Periodic server updates: The game’s frequent communication with Niantic’s servers can also contribute to battery drain.
- Background processing: The game’s processing of data in the background can consume system resources, leading to increased battery drain.
However, it’s essential to note that Background App Refresh is not the sole contributor to battery drain in Pokémon Go. Other factors, such as:
- Screen brightness and resolution: A brighter screen and higher resolution can increase battery drain.
- GPS and location services: The game’s use of GPS and location services can consume battery power.
- Device hardware and software: The performance and efficiency of your device’s hardware and software can also impact battery life.
Should You Enable Background App Refresh For Pokémon Go?
The decision to enable Background App Refresh for Pokémon Go ultimately depends on your playing style and priorities. If you:
- Play Pokémon Go frequently: Enabling Background App Refresh can ensure that you stay updated on new Pokémon and spawn points, even when you’re not actively playing.
- Participate in events and challenges: Background App Refresh can help you stay notified about upcoming events and challenges, ensuring you don’t miss out on rewards and opportunities.
However, if you’re concerned about battery life, you may want to consider disabling Background App Refresh or adjusting your device’s settings to minimize its impact. Here are some tips to help you strike a balance between gameplay and battery life:
- Enable Low Power Mode: Activate Low Power Mode on your device to reduce battery drain from Pokémon Go and other apps.
- Adjust your screen brightness and resolution: Lowering your screen brightness and resolution can help reduce battery drain.
- Turn off Location Services when not playing: Disable Location Services when you’re not actively playing Pokémon Go to reduce battery drain from GPS and location tracking.
| Device | Background App Refresh Setting | Battery Life Impact |
|---|---|---|
| iOS Device | Enabled | Significant battery drain |
| iOS Device | Disabled | Reduced battery drain |
| Android Device | Enabled | Variable battery drain (dependent on device and Android version) |
| Android Device | Disabled | Reduced battery drain |
Conclusion
Background App Refresh is a feature in Pokémon Go that enables the game to continue running in the background, allowing it to perform tasks such as fetching new Pokémon and spawn points, updating your location and movements, and sending and receiving data from the servers. While this feature can enhance the gameplay experience, it can also contribute to significant battery drain.
By understanding how Background App Refresh works and its impact on your device’s battery life, you can make informed decisions about whether to enable or disable it. By adjusting your device’s settings and playing style, you can strike a balance between enjoying Pokémon Go and preserving your battery life.
What Is Background App Refresh In Pokémon Go?
Background App Refresh in Pokémon Go is a feature that allows the game to continue running in the background, even when you’re not actively playing it. This means that the game can still detect and alert you to nearby Pokémon, PokéStops, and other important events, even when you’re not actively interacting with the app.
Background App Refresh is designed to help you stay connected to the game and receive important notifications, even when you’re not actively playing. This can be especially useful if you’re trying to catch a rare Pokémon or participate in a community event. However, it’s important to note that Background App Refresh can also consume battery power, so it’s a good idea to manage this feature carefully to avoid draining your device’s battery.
How Does Background App Refresh Impact My Battery Life?
Background App Refresh can have a significant impact on your battery life, especially if you’re playing Pokémon Go frequently or for extended periods of time. When the feature is enabled, the game continues to run in the background, using up battery power even when you’re not actively playing.
To minimize the impact on your battery life, it’s a good idea to adjust the Background App Refresh settings to suit your needs. You can do this by going to the Settings menu in Pokémon Go and adjusting the “Background App Refresh” toggle. You can also consider adjusting your device’s overall power settings to limit the amount of battery power used by Pokémon Go and other apps.
How Do I Adjust The Background App Refresh Settings In Pokémon Go?
To adjust the Background App Refresh settings in Pokémon Go, follow these steps: Open the Pokémon Go app, then tap on the Poké Ball icon at the bottom of the screen. Tap on “Settings” and then scroll down to the “Background App Refresh” section. Tap on the toggle switch to adjust the setting to “On” or “Off”, depending on your preference.
Keep in mind that adjusting the Background App Refresh setting will affect how often the game checks for nearby Pokémon and other events. If you turn the feature off, you’ll need to manually open the app to check for updates and notifications. If you turn it on, the game will continue to run in the background and alert you to important events.
Can I Customize The Background App Refresh Settings In Pokémon Go?
Yes, you can customize the Background App Refresh settings in Pokémon Go to suit your needs. In addition to turning the feature on or off, you can also adjust the frequency at which the game checks for updates and notifications. To do this, go to the Settings menu in Pokémon Go and tap on “Background App Refresh”.
From there, you can adjust the “Refresh Rate” setting to control how often the game checks for updates. You can choose from a range of options, including “High”, “Medium”, and “Low”. Keep in mind that a higher refresh rate will consume more battery power, while a lower refresh rate may result in fewer notifications.
Will Disabling Background App Refresh Affect My Pokémon Go Experience?
Disabling Background App Refresh in Pokémon Go will affect your experience in the game, but it’s a good idea to do so if you’re concerned about battery life. When you disable Background App Refresh, the game will no longer run in the background, and you’ll need to manually open the app to check for updates and notifications.
This means you may miss out on notifications about nearby Pokémon or other important events, and you may need to manually check the app more frequently to stay on top of things. However, disabling Background App Refresh can help extend your battery life, making it a good option if you’re playing Pokémon Go on the go.
Can I Use Other Power-saving Features In Pokémon Go?
Yes, Pokémon Go offers a range of power-saving features that can help extend your battery life. In addition to adjusting the Background App Refresh settings, you can also enable “Battery Saver” mode in the game’s settings menu. This feature reduces the screen brightness and limits some of the game’s graphical elements to conserve battery power.
You can also adjust your device’s overall power settings to limit the amount of battery power used by Pokémon Go and other apps. This can include enabling “Low Power Mode” or adjusting the screen brightness and timeout settings. By combining these power-saving features, you can help extend your battery life and keep playing Pokémon Go for longer.
How Can I Monitor My Battery Life While Playing Pokémon Go?
To monitor your battery life while playing Pokémon Go, you can use your device’s built-in battery monitoring features. Most devices offer a battery meter or percentage indicator that displays how much battery life remains. You can usually find this information in the device’s settings menu or notification shade.
Additionally, many devices offer more detailed battery monitoring tools that can help you identify which apps are consuming the most battery power. By using these tools, you can get a better understanding of how Pokémon Go and other apps are impacting your battery life, and make adjustments accordingly.