Why Does NeatPass Need to Stay Open?

Understanding iOS background processing limitations

1 min read

iOS platform restriction

iOS does not allow GPU operations when apps are in the background. This is an Apple platform restriction, not a NeatPass limitation.

Technical Explanation

  • NeatPass uses the GPU (via Apple's Metal framework) for fast AI processing
  • When you switch to another app, iOS suspends GPU access immediately
  • Any in-progress AI computation must stop

What Happens If You Leave

  • Processing pauses safely, your data is not lost
  • NeatPass saves your progress automatically
  • When you return, you'll be prompted to continue or start fresh

Why Apple Does This

  • Preserves battery life
  • Prevents background apps from hogging GPU resources
  • Ensures smooth performance for the foreground app

Tips for Best Results

Extraction usually takes around 20 seconds per ticket. Keep NeatPass open during this time.

Stay in app

Keep NeatPass visible during extraction.

Don't lock

Don't lock your phone or switch apps.

Progress saves

If you must leave, your progress will be waiting when you return.

Edge cases

In rare cases, iOS may terminate the app before progress can be saved. If this happens, just try again. No data is lost since nothing was saved yet.

Related

Learn about the on-device AI model that requires GPU processing. Processing works fully offline. If extraction fails, see troubleshooting extraction problems.