All Watch settings
Settings Pathfinder · Watch
Background App Refresh
Controls whether apps can check for updates and new content in the background, which can use power.
In watchOS 26
Settings then General then Background App Refresh
“Go to the Settings app on your Apple Watch. Tap General, then tap Background App Refresh.” — Apple User Guide
Where it has lived
-
watchOS 10 and later
Settings then General then Background App Refresh
Checked against Apple's User Guides from watchOS 10 onward. Menus can differ slightly by region, language, model and installed apps.
Sources for this page
Last verified 8 Oct 2026
- 1 Charge Apple Watch - Apple Support support.apple.com · guide for version 10.0
- 1 Extend the battery life on Apple Watch - Apple Support support.apple.com · guide for version 11.0
- 1 Extend the battery life on Apple Watch - Apple Support support.apple.com · guide for version 26
- 1 Extend the battery life on Apple Watch - Apple Support support.apple.com · current guide