With a blistering heat dome bringing triple-digit temperatures to millions of Americans this week, staying cool is the top priority -- but your phone needs protection, too. Phones are more sensitive to extreme temperatures than most people realize. Even the latest models, like the Pixel 9 Pro or iPhone 16, can overheat quickly if left in the sun or used heavily during hot weather.
When your phone gets too hot, it can slow down, shut off or even suffer long-term damage. High temperatures put stress on the battery and internal components, which can lead to reduced performance and a shorter lifespan. Whether you're out on a hike, watching videos by the pool, or just leaving your phone on the dashboard, here's what you need to know about overheating -- and how to keep your device safe this summer.
High temperatures -- over 95 degrees, according to Apple-- can cause your phone to take precautions to protect its components. Your phone might overheat for many reasons, but here are some of the most common culprits:
Your phone might overheat from other causes, like a malfunctioning application or even a suffocating phone case, but the reasons above are the most likely causes of your phone getting too hot.
You don't want to overuse your phone while it's charging
If the interior temperature of your phone exceeds its normal operating range and the device overheats, you can expect issues:
There are also possible permanent harmful effects: Overheating can cause lasting damage to the battery, SIM card and other crucial parts inside your phone.
The most important thing is to keep your phone out from direct sunlight when possible, especially when it's warm. Your phone might be fine in the grass on an overcast day, but the warmer the temperature, the less your phone can withstand the sun. At the beach, your phone can overheat in just a few minutes in the sun. Same if you put it in a sunny spot on the dash or seat of your car.
Instead, get your phone out of the direct light, whether it's in your pocket, inside a backpack or under a towel/blanket or dashboard. Anyplace that will keep it away from sunlight will work.
It's fairly easy to protect your phone from the sun, but high temperatures alone can also cause your phone to overheat. After only an hour, the inside of a car can reach 143 degrees when it's 100 degrees outside, for example, so a phone left in your cup holder could quickly overheat and get damaged. The short answer: Don't keep your phone in a hot environment for an extended period of time, even if it's not in direct sunlight. That includes your car, a sauna, the kitchen, the middle of the desert or anywhere near a fire.
Your phone's optimal internal temperature should be somewhere between 32º and 95º F (0º and 35º C). To prevent overheating, Apple recommends keeping the device in a place where the temperature is between -4º and 113º F (-20º and 45º C)
While it might be tempting, don't stick your phone in the freezer to cool it down. The Apple community boards have lots of warning about the damage you can do to your phone by putting it in an icebox.
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