Summer comes with a lot of little joys, whether it’s a nice vacation or a summer watch list you can enjoy for the whole season. But it also comes with a few letdowns and disadvantages. And one of them is the effect rising temperatures can have on your phone.
Most modern smartphones are designed to operate in ambient temperatures between 0°C and 35°C (32°F–95°F). Once the phone’s internal temperature climbs above that limit, your device can face long-term problems, like battery degradation and reduced performance. Here are some ways you can protect it before it’s too late.
Never leave your phone in direct sunlight
Don’t fly too close to the sun
This is the most obvious yet critical part of protecting your phone when the temperature picks up. Whether it’s your favorite summer activity or a long car ride, exposing your phone unprotected to direct sunlight can have some far-reaching repercussions on its performance. Phone batteries are pretty sensitive to heat, and extended exposure to the sun can accelerate battery degradation or even trigger emergency shutdowns.
When I travel by car daily, I also ensure that I don’t leave my phone on my dashboard mount for too long, as this can be a less obvious problem area, too. If your location is experiencing hot weather, try to store your phone in a cool, dry place (pockets and bags work), and if you have to leave it behind, find a safe and shady space to store it.
Make sure your case is not a problem
Thick cases can be tricky
This can often be overlooked, but thick and sturdy cases not built to handle the heat can actually trap it, even though they can be excellent for protecting your device against scratches and falls. While your case won’t (usually) cause overheating on its own, it can make it harder for a hot phone to cool down, especially if you’re charging it or spending time in direct sunlight.
If your phone displays an overheating warning or feels excessively warm, removing the case can help it cool down faster. But if you want to be extra cautious or live in a place where the heat can get brutal or persist, I recommend looking into cases built to handle the heat. For instance, lightweight silicone, TPU, and thin polycarbonate cases can allow for good airflow and heat dissipation.
Avoid charging your phone when it’s already hot
This is adding insult to injury
If you do find that your phone is warming up beyond your comfort zone, one thing you do not want to do is charge it before it cools down. Charging naturally generates heat, and adding that heat to an already warm device can cause a snowball effect. And since excessive heat is one of the biggest contributors to long-term battery degradation, repeatedly charging a hot phone can gradually reduce its overall battery lifespan.
If you use wireless charging regularly, you need to be extra cautious when the temperature picks up. While convenient, this typically generates more heat than a wired connection. On particularly hot days, try to switch to a wired charger instead. It’s also a good idea to avoid charging your phone under a pillow, inside a bag, or in any enclosed space where heat can build up. Place it on a hard, ventilated surface instead, and of course, keep it out of direct sunlight whenever possible.
Don’t strain your phone when you’re outdoors
Avoid playing games with your device’s health
Avoiding the sunlight and being wary of your charging methods are important, but another thing to keep in mind when it comes to protecting your phone from the heat is app usage. Even under normal conditions, activities like gaming, video editing, streaming HD content, and video calling, for a long time, can raise your phone’s temperature significantly.
These intensive tasks put additional strain on your processor and battery, so when you add direct heat to the mix, your phone will basically be crying for help. If you need to use navigation during a road trip, consider mounting your phone near your car’s AC. And if you’re spending time outdoors in the sun, taking occasional breaks from demanding apps can help prevent temperatures from climbing high.
Battery Saver mode/Low Power Mode reduces background activity and processor strain, helping your phone generate less heat. Some other settings I changed to prevent my phone from heating up include lowering screen brightness, disabling unnecessary location features and Background Refresh, and reducing motion and transparency.
How to cool your overheated phone
The easy solutions
If your phone does overheat at this time of the year, stop using the phone immediately and move it to a cooler environment. Of course, take it out of direct sunlight, unplug it if it’s charging, and close any heavy apps you’re running
You can speed up the cooling process by placing the phone in a shaded, well-ventilated area or near a fan. If you’re in a car, directing the air conditioning toward the device can help bring the temperature down safely. Once the phone feels cooler to the touch, you can resume using it normally.
If your phone is overheating beyond the safe threshold, you will automatically get overheating warnings, so always keep an eye out for those. The good news about this danger your device faces is that with a few simple precautions, you can keep it operating in that healthy ambient temperature range.
