Turn on Background Fetch in Your iOS Device

Never miss document updates in airSlate SignNow by turning on background fetch for your iOS device. Track document status changes as soon as they are completed or signed.

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What turning on Background Fetch does for iOS apps

Background Fetch is an iOS capability that lets apps periodically wake in the background to retrieve updated content and metadata so the app is current when opened. For eSignature and document apps such as signNow, enabling Background Fetch helps deliver new documents, status updates, and audit-trail entries without requiring manual refresh. Background Fetch operates under system-managed scheduling to balance timeliness and battery impact. Proper configuration ensures timely notifications, reduced user friction when signing, and improved synchronization of records that may be relevant for ESIGN- and UETA-based transactions in the United States.

Why enable Background Fetch for signing apps

Enabling Background Fetch keeps documents and signing status up to date, reduces user wait times, and helps ensure receipts and audit data are synchronized while minimizing manual refreshes.

Why enable Background Fetch for signing apps

Common constraints to consider

  • Higher frequency fetches can increase battery use and device thermal load.
  • Cellular data limits may be consumed if large attachments are fetched automatically.
  • System scheduling may delay fetches during low-power or restricted states.
  • Inconsistent network connectivity can leave documents partially synced or outdated.

Representative users who manage Background Fetch

IT Administrator

Manages mobile device settings and corporate policies; verifies Background App Refresh configuration across enrolled devices and ensures signNow updates are permitted while balancing battery and data policies for the fleet.

Compliance Officer

Oversees record retention and audit requirements; confirms that background synchronization preserves audit trails and timestamps consistent with ESIGN and UETA obligations for legally binding electronic transactions.

Teams and roles that benefit from Background Fetch

Operations, legal, and mobile-first teams value fast document updates and reduced manual steps for distributed signing workflows.

  • Field sales and mobile reps who need the latest contracts instantly.
  • Compliance and audit teams requiring timely access to signed records.
  • IT and support staff monitoring successful document delivery and sync.

Enabling Background Fetch supports operational continuity but should be monitored against device policies and privacy constraints.

Technical capabilities related to background synchronization

These technical capabilities and behaviors determine how effectively an eSignature app like signNow can use Background Fetch in realistic mobile environments.

Adaptive scheduling

iOS adapts fetch frequency based on user behavior and energy constraints, so apps receive more time when regularly used and less when idle.

Graceful degradation

Apps must handle missed fetch windows and retry intelligently to avoid duplicated downloads or excessive network usage.

Token refresh

Secure background authentication requires efficient token refresh flows to maintain access without user interaction.

Incremental sync

Fetch metadata increments first, then retrieve full documents on-demand to reduce data transfer.

Network awareness

Respect reachability and prefer Wi‑Fi for large payloads to minimize cellular costs.

Error handling

Log and back off on repeated failures to prevent battery drain and network storms.

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Key app features that leverage Background Fetch

These features are commonly improved when Background Fetch is enabled for an eSignature app, improving responsiveness while maintaining mobile constraints.

Document Sync

Automatic background retrieval of new contracts and signed PDFs ensures users open the latest version without manual refresh, reducing signing delays and administrative overhead for distributed teams.

Status Updates

Background checks for envelope or document status deliver timely notifications and updated in-app status indicators so recipients and senders can act promptly on sign requests.

Audit Trail Delivery

Periodic background fetches capture and store audit events locally and on the server, preserving timestamps needed for compliance with ESIGN and UETA recordkeeping expectations.

Notification Readiness

By keeping the app synchronized, Background Fetch improves the accuracy of in-app alerts and reduces reliance on push notifications for basic status checks.

How Background Fetch operates under iOS

Understanding the lifecycle helps set expectations: iOS grants periodic background execution time based on usage patterns and battery considerations.

  • System scheduling: iOS decides wake intervals automatically.
  • App wake: App wakes briefly to fetch updates.
  • Data retrieval: App fetches new documents and metadata.
  • Local update: UI and local store are refreshed silently.
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Quick steps to enable Background Fetch on iOS

Follow these concise steps to enable Background App Refresh and ensure signNow can fetch updates automatically on your iPhone or iPad.

  • 01
    Open Settings: Tap the Settings app on the device.
  • 02
    Background App Refresh: Select Background App Refresh in Settings.
  • 03
    Find signNow: Locate signNow in the app list and enable it.
  • 04
    Network choice: Allow Wi‑Fi and Cellular if desired for fetches.

Verify and optimize Background Fetch in a checklist

Use this quick verification grid on a device to confirm Background Fetch is permitted and functioning for signing workflows.

01

Check iOS version:

Ensure supported iOS release.
02

Confirm app version:

Update to latest signNow release.
03

Enable Background App Refresh:

Allow globally and for signNow.
04

Review battery mode:

Disable Low Power Mode if needed.
05

Test with network:

Verify Wi‑Fi and cellular behavior.
06

Review logs:

Inspect app sync logs for errors.
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Recommended workflow settings for background sync

Configure these workflow settings to control how signNow retrieves updates in the background and how the system prioritizes fetches.

Setting Name Configuration
Fetch interval target Adaptive system
Payload size limit Metadata only
Large file strategy On-demand download
Network preference Wi‑Fi preferred
Retry/backoff policy Exponential backoff

Supported iOS versions and app prerequisites

Check these platform requirements before enabling Background Fetch for reliable operation on managed and personal devices.

  • iOS version: iOS 13+
  • App version: Latest signNow release
  • Network type: Wi‑Fi or cellular allowed

For enterprise fleets, enforce these minimums in MDM policies and test behavior on representative devices to confirm Background Fetch aligns with battery and privacy expectations.

Security and protection elements tied to background sync

Data encryption: AES-256 in transit
Authentication: OAuth 2.0 token-based
Access controls: Role-based limits
Local storage: Encrypted device sandbox
Transmission security: TLS 1.2+
Audit logging: Deterministic event records

Industry scenarios where background fetch matters

Two practical examples show how Background Fetch supports timely document workflows across different industries and roles.

Case Study 1

A real estate agent receives contract status updates and signed attachments while traveling, avoiding manual refreshes and wait times

  • periodic background fetch retrieves new envelopes and signed PDFs
  • recipients see faster confirmations and closing timelines

Resulting in reduced turnaround time and smoother closings for clients, improving operational predictability.

Case Study 2

A healthcare administrator using signNow needs the latest consent forms synchronized to a tablet between patient visits, even without manual sync

  • Background Fetch pulls updated consent statuses and audit entries when network permits
  • this reduces administrative delays and keeps audit trails current for HIPAA-sensitive records

Leading to more reliable charting and fewer manual reconciliation tasks for clinical staff.

Recommended practices for reliable background sync

Implement these practices to get dependable Background Fetch behavior while protecting device resources and data privacy.

Limit background payload sizes when possible
Design server responses and background fetch flows to transfer metadata first and download large attachments on-demand to reduce cellular and battery impact while maintaining timely status visibility.
Respect device power and user preferences
Detect Low Power Mode and respect user settings for Background App Refresh; provide in-app guidance about trade-offs between timeliness and battery life to maintain user trust.
Use secure, tokenized authentication for fetches
Ensure background requests use short-lived tokens, refresh flows, and secure storage to prevent unauthorized access and to keep audit trails consistent with compliance obligations.
Log and monitor background failures centrally
Capture background fetch outcomes and errors in server logs to identify systemic issues, so IT teams can troubleshoot device classes, network zones, or app versions affecting sync reliability.
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FAQs and troubleshooting for Background Fetch

Answers to common questions and step-by-step fixes for situations where Background Fetch does not behave as expected on iOS devices.

Feature availability across leading eSignature vendors

Comparison of Background Fetch and related mobile sync capabilities among common providers, useful for IT evaluation and device policy planning.

Feature / Vendor signNow (Recommended) DocuSign Adobe Sign
Background Fetch support
Offline document access
Mobile SDK available
Local audit export
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Timing and retention considerations for synchronized records

Set clear timelines for document availability, retention, and audit exports to align background sync behavior with organizational policies.

Document availability window:

24–72 hours for initial fetch

Audit export schedule:

Weekly or monthly as required

Retention for signed records:

Per policy, often multiple years

Temporary cache expiry:

Clear after 7–30 days

Time-sensitive holds:

Immediate server-side retention

Potential risks if not configured correctly

Missed updates: Delayed statuses
Noncompliance: Audit gaps
Data exposure: Unintended access
Battery drain: Higher usage
Excess data: Overage charges
Operational delays: Signing backlogs

Entry-level pricing and trial offers for select vendors

Pricing at entry tiers and trial availability vary by vendor and plan; the table shows typical starting prices and key entry features for comparison purposes.

Plan / Vendor signNow (Recommended) DocuSign Adobe Sign HelloSign PandaDoc
Entry plan monthly price Starts at $8/user/month Starts at $10/user/month Starts at $9.99/user/month Starts at $15/user/month Starts at $19/user/month
Standard plan monthly price Business tier from $15/user/month Standard from $25/user/month Business from $24.99/user/month Standard from $20/user/month Business from $29/user/month
Users included in entry tier Single user Single user Single user Single user Single user
API access at entry Add-on or higher plan Available on business plans Enterprise/API plans Available on higher plans Available on higher plans
Free trial length 7–14 days 30 days 7 days 14 days 14 days

How to turn on background fetch on iPhone or iPad

Background fetch allows airSlate SignNow to periodically “fetch” document updates from the server while the app is running in the background. With this feature turned on, you no longer need to manually refresh your Documents page to see any updates, such as signature invites, signed documents, and so on.

To activate this feature, make sure Background App Refresh is turned on in the settings of your iOS device. Then, follow these instructions to turn on background fetch:

1. Go to the Settings app and select General.

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2. Select Background App Refresh.

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3. Switch on the background fetch feature for the airSlate SignNow application.

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