Background Processing Reference

Complete API reference for iOS background execution, with code examples from WWDC sessions.

Related skills: axiom-background-processing (decision trees, patterns), axiom-background-processing-diag (troubleshooting)

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Part 1: BGTaskScheduler Registration

Info.plist Configuration

<!-- Required: List all task identifiers -->
<key>BGTaskSchedulerPermittedIdentifiers</key>
<array>
    <string>com.yourapp.refresh</string>
    <string>com.yourapp.maintenance</string>
    <!-- Wildcard for dynamic identifiers (iOS 26+) -->
    <string>com.yourapp.export.*</string>
</array>

<!-- Required: Enable background modes -->
<key>UIBackgroundModes</key>
<array>
    <!-- For BGAppRefreshTask -->
    <string>fetch</string>
    <!-- For BGProcessingTask -->
    <string>processing</string>
</array>

Register Handler

import BackgroundTasks

func application(
    _ application: UIApplication,
    didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey: Any]?
) -> Bool {

    // Register BEFORE returning from didFinishLaunching
    BGTaskScheduler.shared.register(
        forTaskWithIdentifier: "com.yourapp.refresh",
        using: nil  // nil = system creates serial background queue
    ) { task in
        self.handleAppRefresh(task: task as! BGAppRefreshTask)
    }

    BGTaskScheduler.shared.register(
        forTaskWithIdentifier: "com.yourapp.maintenance",
        using: nil
    ) { task in
        self.handleMaintenance(task: task as! BGProcessingTask)
    }

    return true
}

Parameters:

• forTaskWithIdentifier: Must match Info.plist exactly (case-sensitive)
• using: DispatchQueue for handler callback; nil = system creates one
• launchHandler: Called when task is launched; receives BGTask subclass

Registration Timing

From WWDC 2019-707:

"You do this by registering a launch handler before your application finishes launching"

Register in:

• ✅ application(_:didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:) before return true
• ❌ Not in viewDidLoad, button handlers, or async callbacks

---

Part 2: BGAppRefreshTask

Purpose

Keep app content fresh throughout the day. System launches app based on user usage patterns.

Runtime

~30 seconds (same as legacy background fetch)

Scheduling

func scheduleAppRefresh() {
    let request = BGAppRefreshTaskRequest(identifier: "com.yourapp.refresh")

    // earliestBeginDate = MINIMUM delay (not exact time)
    // System decides actual time based on usage patterns
    request.earliestBeginDate = Date(timeIntervalSinceNow: 15 * 60)

    do {
        try BGTaskScheduler.shared.submit(request)
    } catch BGTaskScheduler.Error.notPermitted {
        // Background App Refresh disabled in Settings
    } catch BGTaskScheduler.Error.tooManyPendingTaskRequests {
        // Too many pending requests for this identifier
    } catch BGTaskScheduler.Error.unavailable {
        // Background tasks not available (Simulator, etc.)
    } catch {
        print("Schedule failed: \(error)")
    }
}

// Schedule when app enters background
func applicationDidEnterBackground(_ application: UIApplication) {
    scheduleAppRefresh()
}

Handler

func handleAppRefresh(task: BGAppRefreshTask) {
    // 1. Set expiration handler FIRST
    task.expirationHandler = { [weak self] in
        self?.currentOperation?.cancel()
    }

    // 2. Schedule NEXT refresh (continuous pattern)
    scheduleAppRefresh()

    // 3. Perform work
    let operation = fetchLatestContentOperation()
    currentOperation = operation

    operation.completionBlock = {
        // 4. Signal completion (REQUIRED)
        task.setTaskCompleted(success: !operation.isCancelled)
    }

    operationQueue.addOperation(operation)
}

BGAppRefreshTaskRequest Properties

Property	Type	Description
identifier	String	Must match Info.plist
earliestBeginDate	Date?	Minimum delay before execution

---

Part 3: BGProcessingTask

Purpose

Deferrable maintenance work (database cleanup, ML training, backups). Runs at system-friendly times, typically overnight when charging.

Runtime

Several minutes (significantly longer than refresh tasks)

Scheduling with Constraints

func scheduleMaintenanceIfNeeded() {
    // Only schedule if work is needed
    guard Date().timeIntervalSince(lastMaintenanceDate) > 7 * 24 * 3600 else {
        return
    }

    let request = BGProcessingTaskRequest(identifier: "com.yourapp.maintenance")

    // CRITICAL for CPU-intensive work
    request.requiresExternalPower = true

    // Optional: Need network for cloud sync
    request.requiresNetworkConnectivity = true

    // Keep within 1 week — longer may be skipped
    // request.earliestBeginDate = ...

    do {
        try BGTaskScheduler.shared.submit(request)
    } catch {
        print("Schedule failed: \(error)")
    }
}

Handler with Progress Checkpointing

func handleMaintenance(task: BGProcessingTask) {
    var shouldContinue = true

    task.expirationHandler = {
        shouldContinue = false
    }

    Task {
        for item in workItems {
            guard shouldContinue else {
                // Expiration called — save progress and exit
                saveProgress()
                break
            }

            await processItem(item)
            saveProgress()  // Checkpoint after each item
        }

        task.setTaskCompleted(success: shouldContinue)
    }
}

BGProcessingTaskRequest Properties

Property	Type	Default	Description
identifier	String	—	Must match Info.plist
earliestBeginDate	Date?	nil	Minimum delay
requiresNetworkConnectivity	Bool	false	Wait for network
requiresExternalPower	Bool	false	Wait for charging

CPU Monitor Disabling

"For the first time ever, we're giving you the ability to turn that off for the duration of your processing task so you can take full advantage of the hardware while the device is plugged in."

When requiresExternalPower = true, CPU Monitor (which normally terminates CPU-heavy background apps) is disabled.

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Part 4: BGContinuedProcessingTask (iOS 26+)

Purpose

Continue user-initiated work after app backgrounds, with system UI showing progress. From WWDC 2025-227.

NOT for: Automatic tasks, maintenance, syncing — user must explicitly initiate.

Use Cases

• Photo/video export
• Publishing content
• Updating connected accessories
• File compression

Info.plist (Wildcard Pattern)

<key>BGTaskSchedulerPermittedIdentifiers</key>
<array>
    <!-- Wildcard for dynamic suffix -->
    <string>com.yourapp.export.*</string>
</array>

Dynamic Registration

Unlike other tasks, register when user initiates action:

func userTappedExportButton() {
    // Register dynamically
    BGTaskScheduler.shared.register(
        forTaskWithIdentifier: "com.yourapp.export.photos"
    ) { task in
        let continuedTask = task as! BGContinuedProcessingTask
        self.handleExport(task: continuedTask)
    }

    // Submit immediately
    submitExportRequest()
}

Submission with Progress UI

func submitExportRequest() {
    let request = BGContinuedProcessingTaskRequest(
        identifier: "com.yourapp.export.photos",
        title: "Exporting Photos",           // Shown in system UI
        subtitle: "0 of 100 photos complete"  // Shown in system UI
    )

    // Strategy: .fail = reject if can't start now; .enqueue = queue (default)
    request.strategy = .fail

    do {
        try BGTaskScheduler.shared.submit(request)
    } catch {
        // Show error — can't run in background now
        showError("Cannot export in background right now")
    }
}

Handler with Mandatory Progress Reporting

func handleExport(task: BGContinuedProcessingTask) {
    var shouldContinue = true

    task.expirationHandler = {
        shouldContinue = false
    }

    // MANDATORY: Report progress
    // Tasks with no progress updates are AUTO-EXPIRED
    task.progress.totalUnitCount = Int64(photos.count)
    task.progress.completedUnitCount = 0

    Task {
        for (index, photo) in photos.enumerated() {
            guard shouldContinue else { break }

            await exportPhoto(photo)

            // Update progress — system displays to user
            task.progress.completedUnitCount = Int64(index + 1)
        }

        task.setTaskCompleted(success: shouldContinue)
    }
}

BGContinuedProcessingTaskRequest Properties

Property	Type	Description
identifier	String	With wildcard, can have dynamic suffix
title	String	Shown in system progress UI
subtitle	String	Shown in system progress UI
strategy	Strategy	.fail or .enqueue (default)

Strategy Options

// .fail — Reject if can't start immediately
request.strategy = .fail

// .enqueue — Queue if can't start (default)
// Task may run later

GPU Access (iOS 26+)

// Check if GPU available for background task
let supportedResources = BGTaskScheduler.shared.supportedResources
if supportedResources.contains(.gpu) {
    // GPU is available
}

---

Part 5: beginBackgroundTask

Purpose

Finish critical work (~30 seconds) when app transitions to background. For state saving, completing uploads.

Basic Pattern

var backgroundTaskID: UIBackgroundTaskIdentifier = .invalid

func applicationDidEnterBackground(_ application: UIApplication) {
    backgroundTaskID = application.beginBackgroundTask(withName: "Save State") {
        // Expiration handler — clean up immediately
        self.saveProgress()
        application.endBackgroundTask(self.backgroundTaskID)
        self.backgroundTaskID = .invalid
    }

    // Do critical work
    saveEssentialState { [weak self] in
        guard let self = self,
              self.backgroundTaskID != .invalid else { return }

        // End task AS SOON AS work completes
        UIApplication.shared.endBackgroundTask(self.backgroundTaskID)
        self.backgroundTaskID = .invalid
    }
}

Key Points

• Call endBackgroundTask immediately when done — don't wait for expiration
• Failing to end may cause system to terminate app
• ~30 seconds max, not guaranteed
• Use for finalization, not ongoing work

SwiftUI / SceneDelegate

.onChange(of: scenePhase) { newPhase in
    if newPhase == .background {
        startBackgroundTask()
    }
}

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Part 6: Background URLSession

Purpose

Large downloads/uploads that continue even after app termination. Work handed off to system daemon.

Configuration

lazy var backgroundSession: URLSession = {
    let config = URLSessionConfiguration.background(
        withIdentifier: "com.yourapp.downloads"
    )

    // App relaunched when task completes
    config.sessionSendsLaunchEvents = true

    // System chooses optimal time (WiFi, charging)
    config.isDiscretionary = true

    // Timeout for requests (not the download itself)
    config.timeoutIntervalForRequest = 60

    return URLSession(configuration: config, delegate: self, delegateQueue: nil)
}()

Starting Download

func downloadFile(from url: URL) {
    let task = backgroundSession.downloadTask(with: url)
    task.resume()
    // Work continues even if app terminates
}

AppDelegate Handler

var backgroundSessionCompletionHandler: (() -> Void)?

func application(
    _ application: UIApplication,
    handleEventsForBackgroundURLSession identifier: String,
    completionHandler: @escaping () -> Void
) {
    // Store — call after all events processed
    backgroundSessionCompletionHandler = completionHandler
}

URLSessionDelegate Implementation

extension AppDelegate: URLSessionDelegate, URLSessionDownloadDelegate {

    func urlSession(
        _ session: URLSession,
        downloadTask: URLSessionDownloadTask,
        didFinishDownloadingTo location: URL
    ) {
        // MUST move file immediately — temp location deleted after return
        let destination = getDestinationURL(for: downloadTask)
        try? FileManager.default.moveItem(at: location, to: destination)
    }

    func urlSessionDidFinishEvents(forBackgroundURLSession session: URLSession) {
        // All events processed — call stored completion handler
        DispatchQueue.main.async {
            self.backgroundSessionCompletionHandler?()
            self.backgroundSessionCompletionHandler = nil
        }
    }
}

Configuration Properties

Property	Default	Description
sessionSendsLaunchEvents	false	Relaunch app on completion
isDiscretionary	false	Wait for optimal conditions
allowsCellularAccess	true	Allow cellular network
allowsExpensiveNetworkAccess	true	Allow expensive networks
allowsConstrainedNetworkAccess	true	Allow Low Data Mode

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Part 7: Testing Background Tasks

LLDB Debugging Commands

Pause app in debugger, then execute:

// Trigger task launch
e -l objc -- (void)[[BGTaskScheduler sharedScheduler] _simulateLaunchForTaskWithIdentifier:@"com.yourapp.refresh"]

// Trigger task expiration
e -l objc -- (void)[[BGTaskScheduler sharedScheduler] _simulateExpirationForTaskWithIdentifier:@"com.yourapp.refresh"]

Testing Workflow

1. Set breakpoint in task handler
2. Run app, let it enter background
3. Pause execution (Debug → Pause)
4. Execute simulate launch command
5. Resume — breakpoint should hit
6. Test expiration handling with simulate expiration

Console Logging

Filter Console.app:

subsystem:com.apple.backgroundtaskscheduler

getPendingTaskRequests

Check what's scheduled:

BGTaskScheduler.shared.getPendingTaskRequests { requests in
    for request in requests {
        print("Pending: \(request.identifier)")
        print("  Earliest: \(request.earliestBeginDate ?? Date())")
    }
}

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Part 8: Throttling & System Constraints

The 7 Scheduling Factors

Factor	How to Check	Impact
Critically Low Battery	Battery < ~20%	Discretionary work paused
Low Power Mode	ProcessInfo.isLowPowerModeEnabled	Limited activity
App Usage	User opens app frequently?	Higher priority
App Switcher	Not swiped away?	Swiped = no background
Background App Refresh	backgroundRefreshStatus	Off = no BGAppRefresh
System Budgets	Many recent launches?	Budget depletes, refills daily
Rate Limiting	Requests too frequent?	System spaces launches

Checking Constraints

// Low Power Mode
if ProcessInfo.processInfo.isLowPowerModeEnabled {
    // Reduce background work
}

// Listen for changes
NotificationCenter.default.publisher(for: .NSProcessInfoPowerStateDidChange)
    .sink { _ in
        // Adapt behavior
    }

// Background App Refresh status
switch UIApplication.shared.backgroundRefreshStatus {
case .available:
    // Can schedule tasks
case .denied:
    // User disabled — prompt in Settings
case .restricted:
    // MDM or parental controls — cannot enable
@unknown default:
    break
}

Thermal State

switch ProcessInfo.processInfo.thermalState {
case .nominal:
    break  // Normal operation
case .fair:
    // Reduce intensive work
case .serious:
    // Minimize all background activity
case .critical:
    // Stop non-essential work immediately
@unknown default:
    break
}

NotificationCenter.default.publisher(for: ProcessInfo.thermalStateDidChangeNotification)
    .sink { _ in
        // Respond to thermal changes
    }

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Part 9: Push Notifications for Background

Silent Push Payload

{
    "aps": {
        "content-available": 1
    },
    "custom-data": "your-payload"
}

APNS Priority

apns-priority: 5   // Discretionary — energy efficient (recommended)
apns-priority: 10  // Immediate — only for time-sensitive

Handler

func application(
    _ application: UIApplication,
    didReceiveRemoteNotification userInfo: [AnyHashable: Any],
    fetchCompletionHandler completionHandler: @escaping (UIBackgroundFetchResult) -> Void
) {
    guard userInfo["aps"] as? [String: Any] != nil else {
        completionHandler(.noData)
        return
    }

    Task {
        do {
            let hasNewData = try await fetchLatestData()
            completionHandler(hasNewData ? .newData : .noData)
        } catch {
            completionHandler(.failed)
        }
    }
}

Rate Limiting Behavior

"Receiving 14 pushes in a window may result in only 7 launches, maintaining a ~15-minute interval."

Silent pushes are rate-limited. Don't expect launch on every push.

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Part 10: SwiftUI Integration

backgroundTask Modifier

@main
struct MyApp: App {
    @Environment(\.scenePhase) var scenePhase

    var body: some Scene {
        WindowGroup {
            ContentView()
        }
        .onChange(of: scenePhase) { newPhase in
            if newPhase == .background {
                scheduleAppRefresh()
            }
        }
        // App refresh handler
        .backgroundTask(.appRefresh("com.yourapp.refresh")) {
            scheduleAppRefresh()  // Schedule next
            await fetchLatestContent()
            // Task completes when closure returns (no setTaskCompleted needed)
        }
        // Background URLSession handler
        .backgroundTask(.urlSession("com.yourapp.downloads")) {
            await processDownloadedFiles()
        }
    }
}

Cancellation with Swift Concurrency

.backgroundTask(.appRefresh("com.yourapp.refresh")) {
    await withTaskCancellationHandler {
        // Normal work
        try await fetchData()
    } onCancel: {
        // Called when task expires
        // Keep lightweight — runs synchronously
    }
}

Background URLSession with SwiftUI

.backgroundTask(.urlSession("com.yourapp.weather")) {
    // Called when background URLSession completes
    // Handle completed downloads
}

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Quick Reference

Task Types

Type	Runtime	API	Use Case
BGAppRefreshTask	~30s	submit(BGAppRefreshTaskRequest)	Fresh content
BGProcessingTask	Minutes	submit(BGProcessingTaskRequest)	Maintenance
BGContinuedProcessingTask	Extended	submit(BGContinuedProcessingTaskRequest)	User-initiated
beginBackgroundTask	~30s	beginBackgroundTask(withName:)	State saving
Background URLSession	As needed	URLSessionConfiguration.background	Downloads
Silent Push	~30s	didReceiveRemoteNotification	Server trigger

Required Info.plist

<key>BGTaskSchedulerPermittedIdentifiers</key>
<array>
    <string>your.identifiers.here</string>
</array>

<key>UIBackgroundModes</key>
<array>
    <string>fetch</string>      <!-- BGAppRefreshTask -->
    <string>processing</string> <!-- BGProcessingTask -->
</array>

LLDB Commands

// Launch
e -l objc -- (void)[[BGTaskScheduler sharedScheduler] _simulateLaunchForTaskWithIdentifier:@"ID"]

// Expire
e -l objc -- (void)[[BGTaskScheduler sharedScheduler] _simulateExpirationForTaskWithIdentifier:@"ID"]

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Resources

WWDC: 2019-707, 2020-10063, 2022-10142, 2023-10170, 2025-227

Docs: /backgroundtasks, /backgroundtasks/bgtaskscheduler, /foundation/urlsessionconfiguration

Skills: axiom-background-processing, axiom-background-processing-diag

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Last Updated: 2025-12-31 Platforms: iOS 13+, iOS 26+ (BGContinuedProcessingTask)