Hot weather can seriously damage your iPhone, but there are things you can do to keep it cool – but doing one thing could break it for good
The UK is sweltering this week – but it’s not just us who are struggling with the heat. Your iPhone doesn’t much like it either.
If an iPhone gets too hot, several built-in safeguards that Apple have built might be triggered so that the internal components don’t get damaged,
It will slow down, the screen will become permanently dimmed, and the camera flash will stop working. You could also see the message ‘Charging on hold’ on the notification screen, and the ‘charging will resume when the iPhone returns to a normal temperature’.
Leaving the phone in direct sunlight is a quick way to get into trouble, but with UK temperatures reaching record highs, your iPhone could be as susceptible to issues even when indoors.
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What exactly happens when your iPhone overheats?
According to Apple, iPhones function in environments where the ambient temperature ranges between zero and 35degsC. Temperatures outside this range may cause your iPhone to alter its behaviour to regulate its temperature and stop permanent damage to the electronics and battery.
Using your iPhone at temperatures above the upper limit can seriously degrade battery life. Apple states: “Using an iOS device in very hot conditions can permanently shorten battery life.”
This reduction in battery life is intended to protect internal components and prevent overheating. Other changes you might observe include slow charging, a dim display, a weaker cellular/wifi signal, and slower performance as the device throttles back performance.
The camera flash will also be temporarily disabled, while performance in graphics-intensive apps will decline. Additionally, if you’re using navigation, your device may display the following alert before the screen shuts off: “Temperature: iPhone needs to cool down.”
Fortunately, audible turn-by-turn directions will continue to be provided during navigation.
How to cool down your iPhone
If the temperature warning screen appears, there are several steps you can take to cool down your iPhone. Apple explains: “To resume use of your device as quickly as possible, turn it off, move it to a cooler environment, and allow it to cool down.” You can also…
- Stop using it: Put the phone down and close all open applications
- Remove the case: Take off any heavy or thick protective cases to allow heat to dissipate
- Move to a cooler area: Get the phone out of direct sunlight or a hot car
- Power down: Turning off the phone entirely is the fastest way to stop internal heat generation
- Never put your iPhone in the refrigerator or freezer: Sudden temperature changes and condensation can cause irreversible water and component damage