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)

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.

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() } }

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

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

• Set breakpoint in task handler

• Run app, let it enter background

• Pause execution (Debug → Pause)

• Execute simulate launch command

• Resume — breakpoint should hit

• 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())") } }

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 }

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.

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 }

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"]

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

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