Overheating is a common problem in iPhones. There are many things that can cause an iPhone to overheat, including excessive streaming and having multiple apps running. When your iPhone overheats, it’s at an increased risk of permanent damage if preventive measures aren’t taken. Prolonged high temperatures in an iPhone can shorten battery life and lead to app crashes and glitches, which interrupt daily usage. However, all of these problems are preventable if you act in time. In this article, we’ll outline eight reasons why your iPhone might be overheating and what you can do to stop it.
Signs Your iPhone is Overheating
A certain amount of warmth is normal in every electronic device. It only becomes a problem when the device’s internal temperature exceeds a certain threshold. An abnormally high temperature is very easy to detect in an iPhone; it will feel excessively hot to the touch. However, if your iPhone has a thick case, it might be harder for you to tell when your device is overheating, in which case, you can go by the following signs:
Warning Messages
Apple makes it very easy to detect overheating. When your iPhone exceeds a certain temperature threshold, your screen will display a message saying, “iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it.” This means it’s time to turn off your device and take a break.
Performance Slowdown
It’s normal for an iPhone to slow down when it starts overheating. In addition to lagging response times, you might also notice apps crashing and glitching. While performance slowdown can occur for many reasons, it may be an indication that your iPhone is overheating.
Battery Drain
Excessive gaming, streaming long videos, continuous usage of mobile data, and running camera apps for long periods can contribute to quicker battery drain. However, your battery will also drain much faster when your iPhone is overheated. When your battery is exposed to excessive heat, it can expand and damage your phone. If you notice rapid battery drain, it might be a good idea to check your phone’s temperature.
Common Causes of an Overheating iPhone
iPhones don’t just overheat out of the blue. There’s always an explanation as to why an iPhone is getting excessively hot. Let’s have a look at common reasons why your iPhone might be overheating:
Excessive App Usage
Having too many apps open at the same time can cause your iPhone to overheat. Ideally, you should take periodic breaks from using complex gaming and streaming apps and close apps that you aren’t using.
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors, such as exposure to direct sunlight and high heat, can cause your iPhone to overheat. Try to avoid placing your iPhone in direct sunlight for long periods of time.
Software Bugs or Viruses
Downloading apps and other digital content with bugs or viruses can put your phone at an increased risk of overheating by overusing the processor in your device.
Battery Issues
Phone batteries degrade over time. A damaged battery has to work harder to do its job, which can lead to it overheating and causing problems in your device.
Incompatible Charger
Charging your iPhone with an incompatible or faulty charger can lead to battery issues and overheating. You should only charge your iPhone with MFI-certified chargers.
Thick Phone Case
It’s normal for a phone to heat up when it’s being used. However, if you have a thick phone case made of non-breathable material like silicone or rubber, it can retain the heat produced by your iPhone and amplify it. When this happens, you should take the case off to help your iPhone cool down.
How to Stop Your iPhone From Overheating
Overheating doesn’t mean the end for your iPhone. You can prevent damage from overheating by following the steps below:
Close Apps You’re Not Using
When you exit apps without closing them, they keep running in the background. You might not be using them actively, but having them open makes your iPhone work harder and can lead to overheating. Always close out of apps when you’re done using them to prevent overheating.
Avoid Placing Your iPhone in Direct Sunlight
Try to avoid exposing your iPhone to direct sunlight for extended periods, as prolonged exposure can cause your device to overheat and increase the risk of damage.
Update Your Software
Apple releases minor updates for your iOS every couple of weeks, while major updates come at least once a year. You should update your iOS regularly and even consider authorizing automatic updates so you don’t have to remember to do it. Updating your iPhone regularly can improve battery performance and keep your software bug-free, decreasing the risk of your device overheating.
Remove Your Phone Case If Your iPhone Gets Hot
Your iPhone needs to release heat in order to cool down. Thick phone cases prevent airflow and retain heat. If your iPhone is overheating, try removing the phone case to let it cool down for a while.
Limit Your Streaming and Gaming
Intensive app usage can lead to quicker battery drain and overheating, especially with gaming and streaming apps. You can manage your app usage by going to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits. Using App Limits, you can set time limits for gaming and streaming apps to ensure you don’t overheat your phone.
Replace a Faulty Battery
A worn-out battery is one of the most common reasons why your phone might be acting up and overheating. If your phone’s battery health is low, replacing the battery may solve the problem. You can check if your battery needs to be replaced by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. This will show you a percentage that represents your battery’s capacity in comparison to when it was brand-new. If your battery is under 80 percent capacity, Apple recommends replacing it.
Factory Reset
A factory reset is always an option if none of the solutions above work. A factory reset is basically a complete erasure of your personal information, content, and settings from your iPhone. It may help clear your phone of software bugs and performance issues that were causing the device to overheat. However, it’s important to keep in mind that a factory reset can’t be reversed, so if you’re not sure how it works, we recommend taking your iPhone to a phone repair shop.
Can an iPhone explode from overheating?
It’s extremely unlikely that an iPhone will explode from overheating. According to Lifewire, you’re probably more likely to get hit by lightning than to purchase an exploding iPhone.
Fix Your Overheating iPhone with 911 Phone Repair!
Overheating can be annoying, and if left unchecked, it can result in permanent damage to your device’s hardware and software. That’s why it’s important to address the problem before it gets worse. If your iPhone is overheating and none of the strategies above have been effective in solving the issue, 911 Phone Repair can provide you with expert advice and cell phone repair services. One of our technicians can fix your iPhone’s overheating problem quickly and at an affordable rate. Give us a call today!