But before we get on with the solutions, it’s essential to know why your iPhone is overheating. Let’s take a closer look.
What causes iPhone overheating?
There are a number of reasons why iPhones tend to overheat, so pinpointing the one that could be at the heart of the issue is a little tricky. For instance, a bulky case with no heat dissipation, a fake charger, power-hungry features, and a faulty battery are some of the more well-known culprits. Even software bugs, cluttered storage, long exposure to hot and humid conditions, and extensive usage (i.e. action-packed gaming or hours of video streaming) are all also known to be the cause of a toasty iDevice. So, when you notice your iPhone heating up, keep all these aspects in mind. If the problem is software-related, or your usage habits (the dos and don’ts to avoid overkilling) are at the root, you can get rid of the overheating issue. What if the problem is related to the hardware? Well, in that case, you might need to replace the battery or other faulty hardware components. For now, let’s check out the viable solutions to fix the overheating issue of your iPhone.
How can I stop my iPhone from overheating? 11 Solutions
1. Avoid hot environmental conditions
Apple recommends that you use your iPhone in the temperature range of 32º to 95º F (0º to 35º C). But in countries like India and most tropical regions, the temperature is usually well above this. Now, there’s no need to stop using or buying iPhones in these countries. But it is a good idea to wait and let the device cool down periodically if you’ve been using it in very warm conditions for a long period of time. Also, never leave your iPhone in a parked car as the temperature inside rises exponentially. It’s a safety hazard!
2. Ditch the faulty charger
One of the first things you should do when faced with an iPhone that keeps overheating is to check the charger. And if you’re using a faulty charger to power up your iPhone, get rid of it! While there are a ton of iPhone chargers on the market, very few are MFi certified and fully support the device. They’re not only incompatible, but also insecure and may end up damaging your smartphone. Note: Also, ensure that the Lightning port is clean and free of any dirt or lint. Use a toothpick to gently clean the port. Any piled-up lint or debris may be preventing the charger from charging your device properly, resulting in the overheating issue.
3. Turn off Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Cellular Data, and Personal Hotspot
Though it’s not a fast-acting solution per se, turning off Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, and even Personal Hotspot could help the iPhone cool down.
4. Disable Location Services
Many apps and system services constantly use location in the background. It requires a lot of battery and may cause overheating problems. Turning it off for some time may help. To do so, open Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Toggle it off.
5. Turn on Low Battery Mode on iPhone
You may be wondering why I’ve included using Low Power Mode as a solution. It’s designed to cut down power consumption by turning off several power-hungry features like auto-downloads and mail fetching. With the significant reduction in power consumption, the battery won’t have to eke out extra effort and that may play a vital role in keeping the iPhone cool, even during extensive usage. Open Settings → Battery → turn on Low Power Mode.
6. Force close all background apps
Are too many apps running in the background? If so, they may be the reason your iPhone keeps overheating. Closing these apps will help. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Now, drag all app cards up to force close them.
7. Reboot iPhone
The iPhone joins many electronics like it that benefit from frequent restarting. So, go ahead and restart your device. If that doesn’t help, rebooting your iPhone may effectively solve the overheating problem.
8. Update iOS
The user base of the iPhone is huge, and whenever a widespread problem occurs, Apple is swift to address it with a software update. So, it’s a good idea to run the latest iOS version on your device. Check that you’re doing so by heading to Settings → General → Software Update. If you have a pending update, tap Download and Install.
9. Reset all settings
If none of the above solutions worked for you, resetting your iPhone to factory settings might help. This will erase all Wi-Fi passwords, added Bluetooth devices, VPN configurations, etc. However, it won’t delete any personal data like your contacts or photos. Still, before you proceed, make sure you have a backup of your device so that you can restore it later if needed. Open Settings → General → Reset → Reset All Settings → Enter your iPhone’s password and confirm.
10. Declutter your iPhone
A cluttered iPhone is home to several problems like sluggish performance and overheating. If you haven’t cleaned up your iPhone for a while, chances are pretty high that the storage may be full of storage-hogging files that could be creating chaos. In this case, track down all the redundant files that you may have downloaded from the internet and forgot to delete after, delete the old iCloud backups that are no longer necessary, uninstall the outdated apps, and eliminate every single screenshot, photo, and video that you don’t need anymore. If you find manual deletion a tedious task, check out these best iPhone storage cleaning apps to help you get rid of unnecessary files comfortably. Note: Cluttered RAM often tends to escape our minds. Whether you’re a power user or an average joe, remember to clear the RAM from time to time so that your device can continue to run smoothly.
11. Contact Apple Support
Finally, contacting Apple Support is the last resort to address such issues. If none of the above fixes and precautionary steps help, then there may be a manufacturing defect with the battery or other components inside the iPhone. Taking it to an Apple Store or authorized service center will definitely help. They might even replace your phone and give you a new one if your iPhone has a valid warranty. Signing Off… Hopefully, after one of the solutions above, you’re no longer asking “why is my iPhone overheating?” Which method(s) worked for you? Mention it in the comments down below. If you have a new solution or hack, please share that with us too. You may also like to read:
How to Put an iPhone in DFU ModeTips to Save iPhone Battery LifeHow to Fast Charge iPhone and iPad (Ultimate Guide)