The functionality in question allows applications on Apple’s mobile operating system to update their content even when the user is not actively using them. For example, a news application might download the latest headlines or a social media application might fetch new posts while running invisibly in the system. This feature aims to provide a more seamless and up-to-date experience for the user upon next opening the application.
Its primary benefit lies in enhanced user experience through pre-loading data. By keeping application content fresh, it reduces wait times and eliminates the need to download information upon each launch. However, enabling this feature can impact battery life and data consumption, as applications are actively using system resources in the background. Historically, the introduction of this capability represented a shift towards a more connected and real-time mobile ecosystem.