What happens when you close WhatsApp on iPhone - briefly?
When you close WhatsApp on an iPhone, the app enters a suspended state rather than being completely terminated. This means that while it is not actively running in the foreground, it can still receive messages and notifications in the background.
What happens when you close WhatsApp on iPhone - in detail?
When you close WhatsApp on an iPhone, several processes occur behind the scenes to ensure the app remains responsive and up-to-date upon reopening.
Firstly, when you swipe up from the bottom of the screen to close the app or double-click the home button and then swipe up, the app is moved into a suspended state. This means that WhatsApp is no longer actively running in the foreground but is kept in memory by iOS for quick access. In this state, the app does not consume significant resources, such as battery life or processing power, but it remains ready to be reopened instantly.
During this suspension period, several background processes continue to run. WhatsApp uses push notifications to alert you of new messages even when the app is closed. These notifications are handled by Apple's Push Notification Service (APNs), which ensures that your device receives updates from WhatsApp servers without draining battery life.
Additionally, background fetch allows WhatsApp to periodically update its content in the background. This feature enables the app to download new messages or updates without you having to open it manually. However, this process is managed efficiently by iOS to minimize battery consumption and data usage.
It's also worth mentioning that closing an app does not clear its cache or temporary files. WhatsApp will continue to use storage space on your device for cached data, such as images and videos, until you manually clear the cache through the app’s settings or until iOS manages this process during low-storage situations.
Moreover, any unsent messages or media in the process of being sent will be queued by WhatsApp and will attempt to resend once the app is reopened and connected to the internet. This ensures that your communication remains seamless even if the app was closed while sending a message.
In summary, closing WhatsApp on an iPhone does not terminate all its activities but rather optimizes them for efficiency. The app enters a suspended state, allowing it to quickly resume where you left off, while background processes ensure you stay connected and up-to-date with your messages.