Stop leaving your phone in the sun: tips and tricks to avoid an overheating alert

Whether you have a Samsung S24, an iPhone 15, or a phone that’s several years old, overheating can be a big problem, especially if it happens regularly. Even newer models can get too hot.

You don’t want your phone to overheat, as this could slow it down or stop it from working altogether. This can lead to permanent damage and you may need to replace your battery or even buy a whole new phone. And that requires spending money, even with insurance.

This is why you want to take all possible measures to prevent your iPhone, Android device or other phone against overheating. You can’t stop all cases of overheating, but there are many things you can do. Here’s what you need to know.

For more, check out the best iPhone you can get in 2024, plus our top picks if you’re considering an Android phone.

Why is your phone getting hot in the first place?

There are many reasons why your phone can overheat, but here are some of the most common causes:

• Leave your phone in direct sunlight
• Keep your phone in a warm environment
• Overusing your phone while it’s charging
• A faulty battery or charger
• Bugs in the software
• Malicious apps or malware

Your phone may overheat due to other causes, like a faulty app or even a stuffy phone case, but the above reasons are the most likely causes of your phone overheating.

What does overheating do to your phone?

If the internal temperature of your phone exceeds normal and the device overheats, you can expect a few problems:

• You can’t use your phone
• Your phone slows down
• Charging slows down or stops completely
• Your signal is weakened
• Your camera flash is temporarily disabled

There are also possible permanent harmful effects: overheating can cause lasting damage to the battery, SIM card, and other crucial parts inside your phone.

So how can you stop your phone from overheating?

The most important thing is to keep your phone out of direct sunlight when possible, especially when it’s hot. Your phone may be fine in the grass on an overcast day, but the warmer the temperature, the less resistant your phone is to the sun. At the beach, your phone can overheat in just a few minutes in the sun. The same if you place it in a sunny area of ​​your car.

Instead, remove your phone from direct light, whether it’s in your pocket, in a backpack, or under a towel/blanket or dashboard. Any place that will keep it out of the sun will do.

It’s quite easy to protect your phone from the sun, but high temperatures can also cause your phone to overheat. After just an hour, the interior of a car can reach 143 degrees while it’s 100 degrees outside, for example, so a phone left in your cup holder could quickly overheat and become damaged. The short answer: Don’t do it Keep your phone in a warm environment for an extended period of time, even if it is not exposed to direct sunlight. This includes your car, a sauna, the kitchen, the middle of the desert, or anywhere near a fire.

The optimal internal temperature of your phone should be between 32° and 95° F (0° and 35° C). To avoid overheating, Apple recommends keeping the device in a location where the temperature is between -4° and 113° F (-20° and 45° C).

You should also follow these tips to prevent your phone from overheating

• Don’t use graphics- or processor-intensive apps while your phone is charging. This includes massive mobile video games like PUBG Mobile or streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu.
• Update your phone system software and applications to the latest software available. A bug in the software can cause overheating issues, so always stay up to date with your software.
• Avoid third-party chargers. Most of the time you’ll be fine, but a cheaply designed charger could cause your phone to overheat.

While you’re here, find out how to make your Android look new again with these five tips.