How to Protect Your iPhone from Heat and What to Do if It Overheats

When the thermometer rises above +35°C, not only do people and pets suffer, but so does technology. iPhones can also overheat and start behaving erratically. How to prevent overheating? What to do if your device is already “boiling” and the screen is black? Follow our tips, and your phone will be just fine.

Safe Temperatures for iPhone

Any technology is designed to operate within specific conditions. In the user manual, Apple sets the range of temperatures at which the brand’s smartphones operate correctly. iPhone will “feel” comfortable at temperatures from 0 to +35°C. It can be stored at temperatures from -20 to +45°C.

If iPhone gets too hot, some functions may temporarily turn off. But don’t worry: everything will return to normal once the device cools down. On the other hand, the battery wears out quickly if iPhone overheats frequently — this happens due to certain physical processes and chemical reactions. As a result, battery capacity begins to decline, and you’ll need to either replace the battery or buy a new phone.

When Not to Worry About iPhone Overheating

All smartphones heat up under high load, specifically:

• When you’ve just bought the phone and are setting it up for the first time;
• Restoring data from an iCloud backup;
• Charging the device wirelessly;
• Putting stress on the graphics or processor, such as playing games or using camera apps;
• Streaming high-quality video.

If your iPhone starts heating up for one of these reasons, there is no need to panic. When the load decreases, the temperature will lower, and nothing will happen to the device.

Dangerous Symptoms of Overheating

You cannot determine the degree and danger of overheating by touch. However, it’s important to know how the device might behave in this state and what to do if the iPhone gets excessively hot.

The latest iPhone models (14 Plus and newer) with iOS 16 or later have built-in overheating protection. When overheating occurs, the charging process is stopped. A message appears on the display stating that charging is paused and will resume once the device cools down to a normal temperature.

Here’s how to understand when the temperature has reached a critical level:

• Charging has noticeably slowed down or stopped completely, even though the phone is connected to a cable or wireless charger.
• The screen has turned black or become very dim.
• There is almost no signal, and it’s impossible to make calls. This is likely because the data reception/transmission module has entered power-saving mode due to overheating.
• The camera is malfunctioning, and the flash won’t turn on.
• App and feature performance has drastically decreased. Pages load slowly, photos open slowly, etc.
• The display shows the message “Temperature. iPhone needs to cool down before use.”
• In severe overheating, some apps stop working, except for the navigation app. It remains operational even when the overheating warning appears. The screen turns off, but the app continues to function in audio mode. It may briefly display the route at turns so you can see it.

What to Do if Your iPhone Overheats: First Aid

What should you do if your iPhone is too hot? Of course, you need to cool it down. But do so gradually and without extremes. Don’t toss the phone into the freezer, refrigerator, or any other cold place, as this can damage it. A sudden temperature change is harmful to electronics.

Place the device in a cool location and out of direct sunlight. Before doing this, lock the screen, or better yet, turn off the phone completely.

4 Ways to Avoid Overheating Your iPhone

We use our smartphones everywhere, even on the beach, in a hot car, or in stuffy public transport. So, it’s not surprising that your iPhone gets so hot in summer. Here’s how to keep your iPhone from overheating in extreme heat:

1. Protect Your Phone from the Sun: When sunbathing by the sea or relaxing outdoors, shield your phone from direct sunlight. Cover it with a towel or place it in a bag. The bag should be light-colored—black fabric or leather absorbs heat, turning your device into a “sauna.”
2. Take Your Phone with You: When you leave your car for shopping or other errands, bring your smartphone with you. The temperature inside a car can reach up to 50°C in the heat, which is well above the safe operating range. Regular exposure to such conditions can quickly degrade your battery.
3. Avoid Tight Spaces: A phone heats up faster in a pocket or any confined space. If it’s hot outside, move your device to a bag.
4. Avoid Intensive Tasks in the Heat: Don’t play demanding games or run resource-intensive apps on a scorching day or in a hot car. Such tasks are better suited for air-conditioned environments. This also applies to editing photos and videos on the beach: increasing screen brightness to view content clearly and using photo editors can overheat your smartphone in 35°C weather.

Any phone heats up quickly in the sun, and the iPhone is no exception. The risk zone is the car’s dashboard, which is directly under the sun’s rays. But what if you need the navigator during a trip? Place the device where it won’t be exposed to direct sunlight, lower the screen brightness, and turn on the car’s air conditioning.

When the Problem is the Battery

If you can’t figure out why your iPhone is heating up, for example, from just browsing the internet, check the battery. A faulty battery can also cause the phone to overheat.

If the battery on your iPhone is heating up significantly and not holding a charge, go to “Settings,” select “Battery,” and tap on “Battery Health & Charging.” If you see that the capacity has dropped to 80% or below, it’s best to replace the battery or consider upgrading to a more powerful phone, such as the iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max.

Come to iSpace—we’ll help you choose a new device. Or bring in your phone, and we’ll figure out why your iPhone is overheating. Our service center specialists will diagnose the issue and replace the battery if necessary. We’re always ready to assist. See you in our store!

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