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Published on: 04.21.2023, Updated on: 09.22.2023

Why is my iPhone Overheating? Explore the causes, symptoms, and solutions

Have you ever experienced your iPhone feeling hot to the touch, the battery draining quickly, and the device slowing down while using various apps? 

Overheating can affect the performance of your device, reducing its efficiency and causing other problems. If you leave it unattended, your device can face serious consequences, such as battery explosions.

In this article, we'll delve into why your iPhone is overheating and what you can do to fix this issue. So, let's get right into it.

Why is my iPhone Overheating?

As an iPhone user, you expect your device to work smoothly and efficiently at all times. Yet, sometimes you may notice that your iPhone overheats for no reason. This causes the battery to drain faster, compromise the performance of the phone, and even results in severe damage.  

iPhone overheating

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So, what could be causing your iPhone to overheat? Let's take a look at some of the reasons:

  • Running too many apps or processor-intensive programs at once.
  • Exposure to high temperatures (direct sunlight).
  • Pending software updates or corrupted software.
  • Using a third-party charger to charge an iPhone. 
  • Low memory or storage space.

How to Stop an iPhone from Overheating?

To stop your iPhone from any damage, address the overheating problem by following the solution mentioned below. 

Force Quit All Apps

Reducing the processor's workload can stop your iPhone from overheating and draining the battery. To do this, force quit all or resource-hungry extensive apps with these steps:

  • Swipe up on your iPhone's home screen and stop in the middle to launch the App Switcher.
  • Tap and swipe up all app previews one by one to force-close them.
  • Alternatively, swipe right or left, find an app that you think is draining the phone resources, and swipe up its preview to force-close it.  

Restart Your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone can free up occupied memory and clear temporary files that can potentially fix the frequent overheating issues. 

  • Press and hold the "Power/Side" and "Volume Up/Down" buttons until the power off slider appears.
  • Drag the slider to power off your iPhone and let it cool down completely.
  • Now, press the "Power" button to restart your iPhone, use it for some time, and see if this fixes the issue.

Disable Bluetooth and Location Services

When you are constantly using Bluetooth or Location Services on your iPhone, it can overheat. To avoid this, disable both features on your device by following these steps:

  • Open "Settings."
  • Tap "Bluetooth" and toggle off the switch to deactivate it.
  • Go back and tap "Privacy."
  • Tap "Location Services."
  • Now, toggle the button next to "Location Services" to deactivate the setting.

Location services on iPhone

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Disable Background App Refresh

The Active Background App Refresh option can drain your iPhone’s battery quickly and cause it to overheat. This happens because the feature searches for app updates, even if you are not using them.
Here's how you can disable the Background App Refresh feature on your iPhone:

  • Open "Settings."
  • Tap "General."
  • Select "Background App Refresh."
  • Tap the “Background App Refresh” option showing on top again.
  • Tap “Off.”

Background App repfresh iPhone
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Reset iPhone Settings

You can also reset your iPhone settings to remove any minor technical software issues resulting in overheating by following these steps.

To reset your iPhone, do the following steps:

  • Launch "Settings."
  • Tap "General."
  • Tap "Transfer or Reset iPhone."
  • Select "Reset."
  • Tap "Reset All Settings."
  • Enter your passcode and tap "Reset All Settings."

Reset all settings on iPhone
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Update iPhone Software

It is crucial to keep your iPhone updated as it can install performance enhancement patches that can stop it from overheating. To update your iPhone:

  • Launch "Settings."
  • Tap "General."
  • Tap "Software Update."

Software update on iPhone
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  • Select "Download and Install."
  • Enter your passcode and tap "Install Now."

If none of the above methods work, switch to low power mode, lower the brightness, activate Airplane mode, and remove unnecessary apps.

iPhone Overheating When Charging

Have you ever received an iPhone overheating warning while charging your device? This happens when your device's temperature exceeds a certain threshold level due to one of the following reasons:

iPhone overheating when charging

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  • Using a counterfeit or third-party cable can result in your iPhone drawing more power than it needs.
  • Charging your iPhone in direct sunlight or a hot/humid environment.
  • Running extensive functions on your device while charging.

To avoid iPhone overheating while charging:

  • Use an Apple-certified charger and cable.
  • Try not to charge your device in sweltering conditions. 
  • Take off the protective case.

iPhone Overheating and Won't Turn On

It can be frustrating and nerve-wracking if your iPhone is overheating, shuts off by itself, and won't turn on. With the following quick hacks, you can start using your device again in no time.

Charge the Battery

Since overheating drains your iPhone's battery; it might turn off. So, connect your phone to the power source, wait a few minutes, and see if it boots up normally.
Charging the iPhone battery while overheating

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It is also possible that your charging cable or adapter is old and damaged, providing more or less power than what your iPhone is designed to handle. This can cause overheating, battery drainage, and intermittent shut-off issues on your iPhone.

In such cases, it is advisable to use a genuine Apple charging cable or adapter to avoid further damage to the phone.

Hard Reset the iPhone

To get your iPhone back to life, you can also try hard resetting it in the following way:

  • Press & release the "Volume Up" button.
  • Next, press & release the "Volume Down" button.
  • Finally, press & hold the "Side" button until your device restarts and the Apple logo appears on the screen.

Check the iPhone For Dead Display

Extreme overheating can cause your iPhone display to become dead or not work at all. To check this, try calling your phone from another one to see if it's ringing.

If yes, take your iPhone to a repair shop to replace the display. Before taking your device to the repair store, it's better to check iPhone repair costs in advance so that you can assure that prices are afforable.

iPhone dead display

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iPhone overheating for no reason

If you believe your iPhone is overheating for no reason, this might not be true. Some factors at play can make your mini-gadget too hot to touch, such as:

  • You’ve left your iPhone out in the sun for too long.
  • You are using your iPhone in a room with high ambient temperatures.
  • You are keeping your iPhone screen awake for too long.
  • The protective case is blocking the adequate airflow needed for the phone to work optimally.
  • The brightness is not set to automatic adjustment, causing the phone to display a bright screen all the time and get hot.
  • Too many apps are active at a time. 

iPhone overheating for no reason? Try these fixes

iPhone overheating for no reason? Try these fixes

Image Source

We’ve compiled a few fixes to stop your iPhone from overheating for no reason. Let’s briefly look at all of them and explore which one will work best in your favor.

Adjust Ambient Temperature

You may have been using or left your iPhone in a room or area with high ambient temperatures. Apple recommends storing or using your iPhone where the ambient temperature does not exceed 45º C or 113º F.

These areas can be a hot room in the summer season, a kitchen while cooking your food, or a car with windows closed.

So try to avoid storing your iPhone in these areas, especially don’t leave it under your pillow while sleeping, as this will gradually heat up the phone and cause malfunction. 

Note: Do not place your iPhone in a bag with other devices because the hot air out of them will have nowhere to escape, resulting in your device overheating.

Place iPhone in Shade

Using or placing iPhone in direct sunlight can cause it to overheat for no reason. So, attend your calls, browse the internet, or place your iPhone for a more extended period in a bit of a shade.

QUICK TIP: Avoid charging your iPhone when it is too hot to touch. 

Change Brightness Settings

Your iPhone automatically adjusts brightness according to the environmental condition. However, you may have accidentally turned off this feature, and your phone is always running on the brightest settings, resulting in overheating. 

To fix this issue, turn on the Auto-brightness settings on your iPhone with these steps:

  • Open “Settings.”
  • Tap “Accessibility.”
  • Tap “Display & Text Size.”
  • Toggle on “Auto-Brightness.”

You can also try enabling the Low Power mode on your iPhone to keep the screen awake for shorter intervals, which will help cool it down.

Remove Protective Casing

Your iPhone protective casing might be blocking the air and is the culprit for the overheating issue. So try using your phone without it and check overheating issues. If your iPhone functions normally afterward, use it without the case while using it for long hours. 

You should also try cutting down on the streaming time because constant uptime can cause the iPhone screen to overheat. 

How can I cool my iPhone instantly?


Image Source

  • If your iPhone is overheating for no reason, you can cool it down quickly with these steps:
  • Turn your iPhone off.
  • Remove the protective case.
  • Place the phone under a fan, or use a portable fan to regulate its temperature.
  • Keep it off for a few more minutes.
  • Turn it on and use it by following the abovementioned solutions to avoid iPhone overheating for no reason.  

Conclusion

iPhone is a state-of-the-art device that has become a staple in our daily lives. However, like any other smartphone, it is susceptible to overheating issues.

To answer your question, "Why is my iPhone overheating?", we've done extensive research and listed down the possible reasons and their solutions to help you get back to using your phone without any hindrance.

 

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