In short, “in the background” is the state when you cannot see the app’s screen. Your phone’s system decides how long the app may then keep running and what limits apply.

What does “in the background” mean on Android?

According to the Android documentation, an app is in the background when none of its screens is visible and none of its foreground services is running. The system then places restrictions on it.

The system decides how long an app’s process lives. The process of what you are using now comes first, then a visible and a service process, and last a cached process, which the system may close when it needs memory.

What does a running-service notification mean?

A foreground service does work the user can notice, for example playing music or tracking the distance of a run. It must show a notification in the status bar that tells you the app is working and using resources.

Since Android 13 such apps appear in the list of active apps in the Task Manager. Stopping removes the app from memory and closes the service notification, but the app stays in the recents list, and scheduled tasks and alarms run on time. Pixel Tablet help (in English) points to Quick Settings and an item with the number of active apps (Android 15 and newer).

  • Foreground service types include, among others, navigation and location sharing, audio and video playback, data upload and download, camera, microphone, calls, and health.

What does “in the background” mean on iPhone?

According to Apple, after you switch to another app, some apps keep running briefly and then the system suspends them. Suspended apps are not in use or open and do not use resources. With Background App Refresh they can check for updates and new content.

Only a few modes let an app run longer in the background, for example audio, location updates, VoIP, and scheduled tasks. Apple says background activity includes, among other things, getting directions, playing music, syncing photos, and downloading email.

You set Background App Refresh in Settings, in the General section. You can turn it off or choose whether it works over Wi-Fi or also over cellular data. Low Power Mode turns it off automatically, and Low Data Mode does too. In the developer documentation, background location and background refresh are separate modes.

Do I need to close apps?

Google and Google Play help say you usually do not need to, because Android manages memory and battery itself. Samsung adds that constantly closing and reopening apps may even use more energy. Apple advises closing an app only when it is not responding, and says that closing all apps does not affect overall performance.

Apple also notes that an app closed in the app switcher may not launch or check for new content until you open it. The developer documentation also says that with “Always” access the system may relaunch a closed app on a significant location change or a region event.

On Android, swiping an app away removes it from the recents screen. Force stop keeps the app stopped until you launch it yourself. Google warns that stopping essential apps interferes with how the phone works.

Does background work drain the battery?

It can, but that depends on what the app does. You can check app usage in your phone’s battery settings, and the guide “Does background location drain the battery?” covers location. On iPhone, apps carry descriptions showing whether the use happened on screen or in the background.

What does this mean for DOBIERO?

When DOBIERO is not visible, your phone may start it briefly after noticing a nearby area. DOBIERO then checks location in limited sessions, and Android shows a silent message during the short service. For the app to do this it needs background location access: on Android “Allow all the time”, on iPhone “Always”.

Without background location DOBIERO cannot automatically check places while the app is not visible. The system may also delay or skip a check.