Although summer is coming to an end, temperatures might still reach dangerously high levels in several parts of the United States this year. Your personal comfort and security should come first, but you should also watch out that your phone doesn’t burn up. Even flagship phones like the Pixel 9 Pro or iPhone 15 may get overheated if exposed to bright sunlight for an extended period of time, however older models may be less effective and more likely to overheat.
CNET Tech Tips
How come you don’t want your phone to become too hot? Because your phone can cease operating entirely, throttle service, or shut off. Battery life may be permanently reduced by high temperatures.
For this reason, you should take every precaution to keep your Android phone, iPhone, or other phone from overheating. Although you can’t prevent every overheating incident, there are several things you may do. What you should know is as follows.
For further information, see our top choices for Android phones and the greatest iPhone available in 2024.
First of all, why is your phone overheating?
According to Apple, high temperatures—above 95 degrees—can trigger your phone to take protective measures for its internal parts. There are several reasons why your phone might overheat, but these are some of the more frequent ones:
Leaving your phone out in the sun
Maintaining your phone in a hot spot, such as a vehicle on a hot day
Using the navigation app on your phone or another app—demanding activities in warm weather
Using your phone excessively when it’s charging
A defective charger or battery
Software bugs
Malware or rogue programs
The most common causes of your phone overheating are listed above, while there are other potential causes as well, such as a suffocating phone cover or a malfunctioning app.
An Ultra-Charging Galaxy S23
When your phone is charging, you don’t want to use it excessively.
Aguilar Nelson/CNET
What happens to your phone when it overheats?
You may anticipate problems if your phone overheats and its internal temperature rises over its typical functioning range:
It could be impossible for you to use your phone.
Your phone’s operations could lag.
Charging can stop entirely or slow down.
You could have a weak signal.
The flash on your camera could be turned off.
Additionally, there might be long-term negative consequences: The battery, SIM card, and other important components inside your phone may sustain long-term harm from overheating.
An iPhone charging on hold alert
It may not be possible to charge your phone until it cools down if it overheats.
Aguilar Nelson/CNET
What are some ways to stop your phone from overheating?
The most crucial thing is to avoid placing your phone in direct sunlight whenever you can, particularly during warm weather. Even if your phone could work well on the grass on a cloudy day, its ability to endure the sun’s rays decreases with increasing temperature. Your phone may overheat in the sun at the beach in a matter of minutes. The same applies if you place it on your car’s seat or dash in a sunny area.
Rather, place your phone somewhere out of direct sunlight, such as in your pocket, a bag, a towel or blanket, or the dashboard. It will function wherever it is not exposed to sunlight.
Although shielding your phone from the sun is rather simple, excessive heat may also lead to overheating. For instance, a phone left in your cup holder might rapidly overheat and sustain damage since the inside of a vehicle can reach 143 degrees after only one hour when the outside temperature is 100 degrees. The simple answer is: Even if your phone isn’t in direct sunlight, avoid leaving it in a heated setting for a lengthy amount of time. The kitchen, the midst of the desert, your automobile, a sauna, or any area close to a fire falls under this category.
The ideal internal temperature range for your phone is between 32°F and 95°F (0°C and 35°C). Apple advises storing the device somewhere with a temperature between -4º and 113º F (-20º and 45º C) to avoid overheating.
Despite the temptation, avoid freezing your phone to cool it down. There are several cautions on the Apple community forums on the harm that placing your phone in an icebox may cause.
Additionally, you should adhere to these guidelines to avoid your phone overheating.
Avoid using applications that need a lot of processing power or graphics while your phone is charging. This includes streaming services like Netflix and Hulu as well as popular mobile video games like PUBG Mobile.
Update the applications and system software on your phone to the most recent versions. Always keep your software updated since a flaw might cause overheating problems.
Avoid using third-party chargers. A poorly made charger may cause your phone to overheat, but in most cases, you’ll be alright.
Check out these five techniques to make your Android seem brand new while you’re here.