---
sourceDocument: Australia Mobile Configuration and Navigation
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/mobile

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Mobile Configuration and Navigation

ft:clusterId :

    - mobile

bundleId :

    - mobile

workflow :

    - Development, Data and Analytics


---

# Auto-app refresh

# Turn on or turn off automatic app refresh {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Australia
* 
* Updated March 12, 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 4 minutes to read

Use the clientRefresh mobile property on your ServiceNow instance to turn on or turn off automatically refreshing
your mobile apps. You can also use the clientRefresh property to adjust
the scope of refresh on your mobile app.

## Before you begin

Role required: admin

## About this task

The clientRefresh mobile property is enabled by default on the
ServiceNow platform server. Mobile apps that are managed
by San Diego and later versions of the server instance automatically
refresh after an end user runs action items that change data in records. The data
change is immediately visible to the user. Users don't need to refresh their mobile
apps. The New Update image no longer appears to prompt an app refresh when this
feature is enabled. This feature causes no impact on mobile app performance. Mobile
apps only refresh screens that have been previously visited. If you want to turn off
this behavior, use the steps described in this task.

Mobile properties are configured as records in the sys_sg_properties table on the ServiceNow Platform server. The ServiceNow instance sends the mobile property to mobile apps after authentication. Then the
property turns on or turns off a feature on the mobile app. The
clientRefresh mobile property is configured using JSON
scripts.  
The clientRefresh property is a JSON object with two keys: `isEnabled` and `refreshScope`, which are described in the Mobile properties new record form.  
Important:  
Starting with the San Diego release of the ServiceNow server, to turn off refreshing behavior, you must create a new clientRefresh JSON object and set the `isEnabled` key to `false` in the mobile property definition.

## Procedure

1. Navigate to Allsys_sg_properties.list.  
   The Mobile Properties list appears.
2. In the Mobile Properties list, select New.  
   The Mobile Properties form appears.
3. On the form, fill in the fields.  
   {#enable-disable-auto-app-refresh__table_vqz_l1n_vrb__entry__2}

   | Field | Description |
   |-|-|
   | Name | Name for the mobile property record. Enter <kbd class="ph userinput">clientRefresh</kbd> to make the automatic app refresh feature configurable. Although this feature is turned on by default, you must create it to configure it. It isn't visible on the instance until you create it. Note: The record name is case-sensitive and must be entered as <kbd class="ph userinput">clientRefresh</kbd>. |
   | Application | Application scope where the mobile property is applied. To select a different application scope, select the globe icon (![Globe icon.]()) on the instance banner. Then select Application scope:<var class="keyword varname">application_scope</var>. For information about how mobile properties are affected by application scope, see [Mobile properties](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/YrzidE~O6qwhq3m1OSr_0A "Mobile properties enable admins to turn on or turn off features in ServiceNow apps without upgrading the ServiceNow instance."). |
   | Description | Description of the mobile property. Enter a description of the property. For example, <kbd class="ph userinput">Turns on or turns off automatic refresh of instance data for mobile apps.</kbd> |
   | Type | Data type of the mobile property record. You must select JSON for the clientRefresh mobile property. |
   | Value | The JSON code that configures this feature. * To disable the feature, enter the following: {"isEnabled":false,"refreshScope":"all_tabs"} * To enable the feature, enter the following: {"isEnabled":true,"refreshScope":"all_tabs"} * To increase the scope of data that is refreshed, enter the following: {"isEnabled":true,"refreshScope":"all_tabs"} Using `"all_tabs"` refreshes all screens across all navigation bar tabs after an action is run in the mobile app that changes data in a record. * To limit the scope of data that is refreshed, enter the following: {"isEnabled":true,"refreshScope":"current_tab"} Using `"current_tab"` refreshes just the current navigation bar tab after an action is run in the mobile app. {#enable-disable-auto-app-refresh__ul_hfw_d24_vrb} Note: Use a JSON formatter/validator to make sure that there are no syntax issues. |
   | Active | Option to activate the mobile property. If the check box is cleared, then the mobile property isn't activated for use. |
   | Is Public | Determines whether the pre_auth property is included in the API response. By default, this option is not selected. If you want this property included in the /pre_auth API response, select this checkbox. For more information, see [Adaptive authentication events](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=adaptive-authentication-events&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-security&ft:locale=en-US). Mobile properties with this checkbox enabled are excluded from the /user_client API response. |
   | Mobile App Config | Mobile app configuration for which you want to use the mobile property. This setting limits the mobile property behavior to users who have access to this mobile app configuration. Other users don't have access to this mobile property and instead experience default behavior. To enter a value, either start typing the configuration name or select the search icon. The search dialog box lists the configurations from which you can choose. Select a configuration in the Mobile app configs dialog box. |
   | Mobile Application | Mobile application to which you want to send the mobile property. This setting limits the mobile property behavior to users who have access to this mobile app. Other users don't have access to this mobile property and instead experience default behavior. To enter a value, either start typing the application name or select the search icon. The search dialog box lists the applications from which you can choose. Select an application in the Mobile Applications dialog box. |
   [Table 1. Mobile properties new record form]

   {#enable-disable-auto-app-refresh__table_vqz_l1n_vrb}
4. Select Submit.

## What to do next

After updating this property, the end user must pull to refresh and get the latest
feature configurations.

*[\>]: and then