How To Use Background Tasks Framework To Keep your iOS App Content Up To Date?

by Amara Wallis Content Writer

There are several troubles faced during the process of iOS app development. Making sure your iOS content on track and updated is a commonly occurring issue. To deal with this problem, in iOS 13, Apple introduced new features and technical functionalities. One of these new functionalities, that makes the interface much smoother, is a framework called BackgroundTasks, which can be utilized to deal with background task requests between the OS and the application. The framework is an efficient method of scheduling user's heavy tasks combined with a seamless experience by following natural conditions.

What is BackgroundTasks Framework?

The framework is a brand new tech function of iOS 13 launched to make the life of iOS App developers much easier. It is used for an array of tasks, ranging from clearing out the database, updation of learning models, updation of visible app data or storing media onto designated servers, and much more.

The essential features as entailed by the innovative Framework are:

BGAppRefreshTask: This element is used to develop small amounts of information. It takes about 30 seconds to work effectively, once in the background.

BGProcessingTask: This function takes action when performing a very time-consuming process. However, these kinds of tasks run only on idle devices, and not otherwise. The system ends any BGProcessing tasks running when someone starts using the mobile for something else.

Utilizing the Framework

To better understand the framework, let's take 'fetching images' - a popular iOS feature, to list out the step-by-step procedure.

Go to XCODE 1, open a file, go to New, and design a new project.
Choose a template for your project preferably, "Single View App". Make sure you name it.
Now, go to Targets, select your project work. Open signing and capabilities. Then, open "+Capability".
You will be seeing several options listed down. Click on the "Background Modes".
Now you'll be setting your background modes. From the options given there, select Background Fetch.
Put the "BGTaskSchedulerPermittedIdentifiers" key into info. plist. Type in task identifier.
Import BackgroundTasks into the delegation titled AppDelegate.swift.
Initiate the registerBackgroundTask() process, with the help of the same identifier, used in the previous step, (in info.plist). Assign it in the following way: Application:didFinishLaunchingWithOptions
Initiate the scheduleImagefetcher() procedure, along with the scheduleAppRefresh() process for obtaining images from the designated device's gallery. Once done, refresh your application. These processes are called applicationDidEnterBackground.
Now cancel pending tasks. This will help you avoid all display errors. To do so, use the code cancelAllPendingBGTask().

Conclusion

BackgroundTask Framework has proven to be very useful in the process of iOS App development. Make sure to follow all the steps carefully and avoid common coding mistakes. IOS is a very tricky platform for apps and thus requires more effort and attention than any other software. In this article, we understood the process undertaken for the sample of fetching images, but the BackgroundTask framework can be useful across a multitude of similar tasks. This simple step by step process is useful in solving major problems. DianApps has been rated as one of the best iOS App Development Company in the USA and Australia so if you're looking for a company with a proven track record and affordable rates, you know who to get in touch with.