UIApplicationStateInactive VS UIApplicationStateBackground

When the user taps on the app icon, the app briefly goes through a transitional state ofUIApplicationStateInactive on its way to becoming UIApplicationStateActive. This is where the app gets itself ready to display to the user.

When the app is open, the application state is UIApplicationStateActive.

If the user presses the home button, and is returned to the springboard (home screen), or the application is interrupted by something, such as a phone call, the application state transitions back toUIApplicationStateInactive.

For the application state of your app to become UIApplicationStateBackground, your application would have to register for a background process. Look into how to background your location services.