Quick Answer
There are a few main reasons why your phone may keep checking for WhatsApp messages:
- You have WhatsApp notifications enabled – With notifications on, WhatsApp will periodically check for new messages.
- Background app refresh is enabled – This allows apps to refresh content in the background.
- WhatsApp is set to auto-launch – This makes WhatsApp start up automatically when your phone boots.
- You’re using a widget – The WhatsApp widgets will periodically check for new messages.
Disabling notifications, background refresh, auto-launch, and widgets can potentially fix the issue. Additionally, some phones may have firmware bugs causing excess WhatsApp refreshes.
In-Depth Explanation
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide, with over 2 billion users. With its ubiquity, many users notice WhatsApp constantly running in the background or checking for new messages on their phones. There are a few key reasons why this occurs:
WhatsApp Notifications Are Enabled
The most obvious cause of WhatsApp’s constant activity is having WhatsApp notifications enabled. With this setting turned on, WhatsApp will regularly connect to its servers to look for new messages, chat updates, calls, etc.
Each time a notification check occurs, users will see WhatsApp briefly appear in the notification bar or as an active process. This constant checking ensures you get notifications in real-time as chats happen.
If you want to reduce How often WhatsApp checks for messages, you can disable some or all WhatsApp notifications. On Android, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > WhatsApp > Notifications and toggle off the options. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > WhatsApp and adjust the notification settings.
Background App Refresh
Another culprit for WhatsApp’s activity is having background app refresh enabled. This is a feature on iOS and some Android phones that allows apps to refresh their content and update in the background when not in active use.
For example, background app refresh allows WhatsApp to check for new messages, sync new photos/videos, and update chat lists even when you aren’t directly using the app. If disabled, WhatsApp will only update when the app is open in the foreground.
To turn off for WhatsApp on iPhone, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and toggle off WhatsApp. On Android, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Advanced > Background App Refresh and disable for WhatsApp.
Auto-Launch Setting
Some Android phones have an auto-launch or auto-start setting that lets you control which apps start up automatically when your phone boots. WhatsApp may have auto-launch enabled by default, causing it to activate each time your phone powers on.
To disable auto-launch for WhatsApp on Android, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Advanced > Auto-Launch App or App Startup Manager. Then toggle off or disable auto-launch for WhatsApp.
Using WhatsApp Widgets
WhatsApp has chat widgets available on Android and iOS. These widgets allow convenient quick access to recent chats, groups, and contacts.
A downside is WhatsApp widgets will regularly check for new messages and updates. Each refresh may cause WhatsApp to show as active in your notification shade or app manager.
If you don’t need the widgets, removing them from your home screen can reduce unwanted WhatsApp refreshing.
Phone Firmware/Software Issues
In some cases, there may be bugs in your phone’s firmware or installed apps causing excess WhatsApp refresh requests. Issues like wakelock bugs, overactive services, or software conflicts can mimic the appearance of WhatsApp constantly running.
Trying a reboot, updating your OS, uninstalling suspicious apps, or factory resetting your phone can potentially fix firmware-related problems.
Other Factors
Some other potential reasons for WhatsApp’s frequent check-ins:
- You have recently cleared WhatsApp from memory/force stopped it – This may trigger a refresh next time it starts.
- You’re using dual SIMs – Each SIM change can prompt a WhatsApp update check.
- Your phone’s battery saver is disabling WhatsApp – Battery saver restrictions can cause a WhatsApp refresh when it reactivates.
- You have just reinstalled WhatsApp – Reinstalling the app typically triggers a refresh.
How Often Does WhatsApp Check for Messages?
So how frequently does WhatsApp actually check for new messages and notifications by default? The refresh rate can depend on your phone, settings, and WhatsApp version, but tends to be every 30 seconds to 5 minutes.
Here are some example refresh intervals:
| Scenario | Refresh Interval |
|---|---|
| Background App Refresh Enabled | Every 1-5 minutes |
| Background App Refresh Disabled | Every 15-30 minutes |
| App Open in Foreground | Every 30 seconds |
As you can see, background app refresh causes WhatsApp to check for new messages much more frequently compared to when disabled. The quicker refresh allows you to get real-time notifications, but uses more battery life and data.
Does WhatsApp Always Run in the Background?
WhatsApp does not necessarily always run actively in the background. Much of the perceived background activity is WhatsApp briefly waking up on a schedule to refresh your data. When not refreshing, it will remain dormant.
However, WhatsApp can sometimes get “stuck” running continuously in the background due to system bugs. Here are some signs WhatsApp may be continuously running:
- WhatsApp shows as active in your app manager/task manager
- Your phone is hot despite little use
- Your battery drains abnormally fast
- Cellular or WiFi data use is higher than expected
If you notice these issues, try the troubleshooting tips below to stop WhatsApp’s background activity.
How to Stop WhatsApp from Running in the Background
If WhatsApp seems to be truly stuck running non-stop in the background, here are some troubleshooting steps:
- Force stop WhatsApp – Open your app manager and force stop the app.
- Clear app cache – This wipes temporary files that may be causing issues.
- Uninstall/reinstall WhatsApp – Removes corrupt installs.
- Disable auto-start permission – Stops auto launching on boot.
- Turn off Background App Refresh – Prevents background refreshes.
- Check for firmware issues – Buggy OS can cause wakelocks.
- Factory reset phone – Clears out all system-related problems.
Following these steps should identify any bugs causing WhatsApp to run amok in the background. Once corrected, WhatsApp should return to its normal periodic checking behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does WhatsApp show as running all the time on my Android phone?
This is likely due to having notifications, auto-launch, widgets, or background data enabled. Disabling these settings and troubleshooting firmware issues can prevent constant WhatsApp activity.
Is it normal for WhatsApp to use my phone’s battery when the app isn’t open?
It’s normal for WhatsApp to use a bit of battery for periodic update checks. But if it’s excessive, background app settings are likely enabled and can be disabled.
How can I stop WhatsApp from refreshing when I don’t need notifications?
Turn off WhatsApp notifications entirely, disable Background App Refresh, remove its widgets, and turn off auto-launch. This will limit refreshes to only when the app is actively open.
Why does WhatsApp keep re-opening after I force close it?
This is typically caused by the auto-launch setting being enabled. Disable auto-launch for WhatsApp in your phone’s app settings.
Should I be concerned if WhatsApp is always running?
Some background activity is normal. But if your battery life or mobile data use is being significantly impacted, you likely have a misconfigured setting allowing unnecessary refreshes.
Conclusion
In summary, WhatsApp’s frequent background refreshing and checking for messages is usually due to having notifications, background data, widgets, or auto-launch enabled. Tweaking these settings and troubleshooting software bugs can help reduce unwanted WhatsApp activity.
Some periodic refreshing is inevitable if you want timely notifications. But excessive refreshing can be curbed by limiting WhatsApp’s ability to run in the background. With the right settings, you can have a smoothly running WhatsApp without constant data and battery drain.