Why Is My iPhone Getting Hot?

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Is your iPhone feeling a little too hot to handle? It’s a common problem, and it can be caused by everything from intense gaming sessions to a faulty charging cable and even malware.
In this article, we’ll explore why your iPhone might be overheating and provide practical solutions to cool the device down.
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Why Your iPhone Gets Hot
Your iPhone is essentially a compact computer, and like any computer, it generates heat when working hard.
But sometimes, that heat can become excessive, leading to an uncomfortable (and potentially damaging) experience. Let’s explore the common culprits behind an overheating iPhone:
1. Environmental factors
Before you blame your apps or battery, consider this: your iPhone’s surroundings could be the culprit behind the heat.
Just like us, iPhones are sensitive to their surroundings. Extreme temperatures or confined spaces can cause them to overheat.
For example, leaving your phone in direct sunlight, especially on a hot day, is a surefire way to make it overheat. Dark-colored phones absorb more heat, so they’re particularly susceptible.
Similarly, your iPhone can overheat if placed in a tight pocket, an overpacked bag, or even a poorly designed phone case. Phones need adequate airflow to dissipate heat.
And speaking of hot environments, never leave your iPhone in a hot car for an extended period. Temperatures inside a closed vehicle can soar in the summer months, potentially causing severe damage to your device.
What is the normal temperature of an iPhone?
The optimal ambient temperature for your iPhone is between 32ºF and 95ºF (0ºC and 35ºC). If it gets too hot or cold for too long, it could cause serious damage.
2. Usage habits
Love gaming or binge-watching on your iPhone? Intensive usage might be turning up the heat — literally! Let’s see how:
- Gaming: Graphically intensive games push your iPhone’s processor and graphics chip to their limits, generating significant heat.
- Streaming: Streaming high-quality video for hours also strains your phone’s resources, leading to increased heat.
- GPS use: GPS navigation, especially with other apps, can tax your iPhone’s processor and contribute to overheating.
- App overload: Running multiple apps simultaneously, especially resource-intensive ones, can overload your phone’s processor and memory, leading to higher temperatures.
3. Battery fatigue
As your iPhone’s battery ages, it may become less efficient and generate more heat during charging and use.
It’s easy to check your iPhone’s battery health; just follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Scroll down and tap on Battery.
- Tap Battery Health & Charging: This will show you information about your battery’s capacity and performance.
Fig 1. Checking battery health on an iPhone.
Checking your average battery life will give you a good idea of whether you need to replace it.
Also, a faulty charging cable or adapter can disrupt the charging process, causing your iPhone to overheat. Always use genuine Apple accessories or certified third-party options.
4. Background processes
Even when you’re not actively using your iPhone, background tasks can cause it to overheat. Let’s explore these hidden culprits below:
- Malware: Although rare, malware running in the background can strain your iPhone’s resources and cause it to overheat. Installing a reliable security app like Certo AntiSpy can help detect and remove such threats.
- System updates: Downloading and installing system updates can also generate heat as your phone works to implement the changes.
- Cloud syncing: Syncing large amounts of data to the cloud, especially photos and videos, can also increase your iPhone’s temperature. Downloading large files may have the same effect.
5. Software issues
While we often blame hardware for overheating, software problems can make your iPhone feel like a furnace. Let’s take a closer look:
Outdated iOS
Believe it or not, an outdated operating system can make your iPhone work harder than it needs to. This can lead to performance issues and, you guessed it, overheating. iOS updates optimize your phone’s functionality, ensuring the latest apps run smoothly and efficiently.
Update hiccups
While generally beneficial, a software update can sometimes cause temporary overheating. This is usually due to your phone re-indexing data and optimizing performance after the update. The good news is that this typically subsides after a short while.
App bugs
Bugs within certain apps can cause them to consume excessive resources, leading to your iPhone overheating. Keeping your apps updated to their latest versions is crucial for optimal performance and preventing overheating.
Key point
iOS and app updates often include important security patches. Without these updates, your device becomes more vulnerable to malicious software, which can run in the background, hogging resources and causing your iPhone to heat up.
Cooling Down a Hot iPhone: Immediate Actions
If your iPhone feels like it’s about to burst into flames, you need to take action quickly. Here are some immediate steps to cool down an overheating iPhone:
- Remove your iPhone’s case or cover: Thick or poorly designed cases can trap heat and prevent proper ventilation.
- Dim the lights: Turn down your screen brightness. A bright screen consumes a lot of power and generates heat.
- Disconnect: Disable Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and mobile data if you don’t need them now. These features constantly use energy and contribute to heat generation.
- Airplane mode to the rescue: If you need a quick cool-down, enable Airplane Mode. This disables all wireless communication, giving your phone a much-needed break.
- Unplug: If your iPhone is charging, unplug it. Charging generates heat, and charging an already hot phone can worsen the situation.
- Find a cool spot (but not too cool): Move your iPhone to a cooler environment, but avoid extreme temperature changes. Don’t put it in the fridge or freezer! Instead, place it on a cool surface in the shade or in an air-conditioned room.
These quick actions can help bring your iPhone’s temperature down quickly and prevent potential damage from overheating.
Long-Term Solutions for iPhone Overheating

Image by freepik
While those immediate fixes are great for a quick cool-down, preventing your iPhone from overheating in the first place is key. Here are some long-term solutions to keep your device running at a comfortable temperature:
1. Stay updated
Make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. New iOS releases often include performance improvements and bug fixes that can address overheating issues.
- To check for updates, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
2. App maintenance
Keep your apps updated, too! Outdated apps can be resource hogs.
- Open the App Store and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Scroll down to see pending updates.
3. Audit your apps
Do you need all those apps? Uninstall any unused or resource-intensive apps.
- To delete an app, touch and hold the app icon until a menu appears, then tap Remove App > Delete App.
4. Close unused apps
Apps can continue running in the background even when you’re not actively using them. It’s a good habit to close apps you don’t need to prevent unnecessary battery drain and heat generation.
- To close apps, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle of the screen. This will bring up your open apps. Swipe up on each app preview to close it.
5. Battery care
As we mentioned above, you need to monitor your battery health. If your battery’s maximum capacity is significantly low, it might be time for a replacement.
- Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging to check your battery health.
Pro Tip
You can have your battery replaced at an Apple Store or authorized service provider.
6. Charging etiquette
Always use a genuine Apple charger and cable or certified third-party options. Unofficial chargers can cause charging problems and contribute to overheating.
7. Security checkup
Install reliable security software to detect and remove malware. Certo AntiSpy for iPhone can help protect your phone from malicious threats running in the background that may cause your device to overheat.
Here’s how to do a scan with CertoAntiSpy:
- Download Certo AntiSpy and install it on your computer.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer, open Certo AntiSpy, and click Scan Now.
- Review the results once the scan is complete and remove any identified threats.
Fig 2. Certo AntiSpy detecting a threat.
8. The nuclear option
If all else fails, a factory reset can sometimes resolve persistent overheating problems. Before you do this, make sure to create a backup of your iPhone!
- To factory reset your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
What Happens When Your iPhone Gets Too Hot?
When your iPhone gets too hot, it’s usually a temporary hassle. However, ignoring the signs that your device is overheating can have long-term consequences.
Your iPhone is designed with built-in safeguards, so if it becomes excessively hot, it may shut down automatically to protect its internal components. However, repeated exposure to high temperatures can damage your device.
The battery may degrade faster, leading to shorter usage times, and essential hardware components could become damaged, potentially impacting overall performance and lifespan.
Final Thoughts
An overheating iPhone can be a frustrating experience, but with a little understanding and some preventative measures, you can keep your device running cool and smoothly.
Remember the key takeaways:
- Environmental factors, usage habits, hardware issues, software glitches, and background processes can all contribute to overheating.
- Immediate actions like removing your phone case, dimming the screen, and disabling unnecessary features can help cool down a hot iPhone.
- Long-term solutions include keeping your software updated, monitoring battery health, and using a quality charger.
- By being aware of the causes of iPhone overheating and following these tips, you can ensure your device stays cool and performs optimally.