iPhones are generally quite reliable smartphones that won’t run into many issues, and it’s not uncommon for your iPhone to grow a little warm. But an iPhone that often grows hot too could point to a serious glitch. So, why is your iPhone overheating, and how do you prevent it?
Your iPhone may get too hot due to software glitches or hardware problems like a defunct battery. It’s normal for the phone to get hot when charging, especially if the charger is charging at high speeds, and the iPhone does have built-in failsafes to prevent overheating.
Users have raised concerns about overheating iPhones for years. Sometimes it feels like the phone is just a little warmer than it should, and at other times the back of the phone is so hot it seems like it could burn your hand. Either way, it points to a problem you should address promptly to avoid permanent damage. Let’s get to the bottom of it.
Why Does Your iPhone Feel So Hot?
Your iPhone is essentially a tiny computer you carry in your pocket wherever you go. In fact, it has lots of similar components you’d find in your computer — they’re just very tiny. When the battery is charging, that’s a sure-fire way to make that battery heat up, so if you’re worried about your phone getting hot while it’s plugged in, just know that that heat is normal unless it cases the phone to shut off and display a visual heat warning.
But if your phone is hot, and it’s not because it’s on the charger, that could need more attention. If you’re seeing high heat along with a typical glitch – like the iPhone’s top half of its’ screen being blurry, that deserves more attention because it means the heating is actually starting to break things!
Unlike your standard computer, your iPhone doesn’t have a built-in fan that can keep it cool if things begin toasting inside. Here are the common reasons why your iPhone can feel so hot:
The Battery Could Be Faulty
If your iPhone grows consistently or excessively hot to the touch, it could point to a battery issue.
Check your iPhone’s battery health to see if it’s operating within the full capacity or needs replacement.
You can have a replacement of your iPhone battery if you make an appointment with Apple’s Genius Bar. The appointment is free, of course, but you’ll have to pay for the actual repairs or replacements.
You’ve Overworked the CPU
Your iPhone’s CPU is so powerful that it only ever uses a tiny fraction of its full capacity.
But if you open an app like Safari or the iTunes Store, you suddenly demand more CPU power to get things going. And if you’re playing 3D games, streaming HD videos, or constantly using GPS (location services), you rev up the CPU even more.
When you first notice your iPhone growing slightly warm, it’s a normal reaction because heat is simply escaping from the internal components. The ARM chips used in iPhones are remarkably efficient in their heat dissipation.
However, your iPhone doesn’t have a built-in fan that would otherwise directly cool the notoriously hot components. The metal housing itself turns out to be one sleek, heat conductor.
So, your iPhone can become incredibly hot if you’re running apps that consume a lot of memory and CPU power for extended periods.
You Have Crashing Apps or Outdated Software
You may also notice your iPhone gets too hot even if the screen is off and it’s in your pocket. Nine out of ten times, this usually points to a software problem.
Remember, your iPhone has many drivers and apps that run simultaneously to keep the phone working optimally. But if an app has gone rogue due to bugs, it may crash continuously and cause the CPU to waste a lot of energy in the form of heat trying to revive the glitchy app.
And if your phone’s software is outdated, background processes may not run properly, causing the phone to quickly heat up.
A Hardware Component Is Damaged
A hot iPhone is often a sign of a serious hardware glitch that could cause permanent damage if it isn’t addressed promptly. Most of the time, this occurs if your iPhone has been exposed to too much moisture that seeped right into the motherboard.
As it turns out, this could lead to a couple of components getting fried, and some others will get shorted such that they produce too much heat. Therefore, if you notice your iPhone overheats when it recently got exposed to water, there’s probably a hardware problem.
How Hot Can iPhone Get Before Damage?
You can safely store — but not use — your iPhone at temperatures between 96° and 113° Fahrenheit (35.5℃ and 45℃) before it gets damaged. Above 113℉, your iPhone can be permanently damaged.
Cold winter months and warm summer days can push your iPhone out of its normal operating zone. Apple says iPhones should operate within an ambient temperature range of 32˚ to 95℉ ( 0˚ to 35℃).
The company also gives information on the non-operating temperature range, which lies between -4˚ and 113℉ ( -20℃ to 45℃). Whenever your phone’s temperature rises beyond or drops below these limits, you’ll get a warning message that prompts you to cool it down or warm it up.
The upper limits of the non-operating temperature range are 96° and 113°F, meaning you can only safely store your iPhone within this temperature range. Anything beyond 113°F can kill crucial components like the lithium-ion battery and CPU, rendering the phone useless.
How Do You Stop Your iPhone From Getting Too Hot?
Here’s how to stop your iPhone from getting hot:
Close All Your Apps & Let the Phone Cool Down
Reduce the workload on your iPhone’s CPU by closing out all running apps. Double-click the Home Button and swipe each app off the top of your phone’s screen.
For iPhones that don’t have a Home Button, swipe up from the bottom to the center of the screen to open the app switcher. Next, swipe each app off the top of the screen to close it. Let the phone sit for 15 to 20 minutes away from other electronics so that it cools down.
Turn Off Background App Refresh
Background app refresh might also overwork your iPhone’s CPU. Here’s how to turn off this option:
- Go to Settings > General.
- Tap ‘Background App Refresh‘ and select ‘Off‘ to disable it.
Look for Crashing Apps and Uninstall Them
If your iPhone has only recently started to grow hot after you installed an app, that app could be the problem.
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Analytics & Improvements.
- Tap ‘Analytics Data‘ for a complete list of apps that have been crashing on your iPhone.
It’s okay to see a couple of entries on this list because it’s where your log files also end up. But if a particular app is listed there multiple times, it’s probably got bugs or other software glitches.
Uninstall the app and see if this fixes the heating problem. You can then look for an alternative app from the App Store.
Update All Your Apps
App developers often release new app versions to fix bugs and other software glitches that could cause issues like overheating. It’s therefore important to keep your apps up to date to enjoy new features and bug fixes.
Here’s how to update your iPhone’s apps:
- Check that you have a reliable internet connection.
- Open the App Store and tap your account icon at the top right corner of the screen.
- Scroll down to the ‘Available Updates‘ section.
- Tap ‘Update All‘ to get the latest versions of your apps all at once.
Restore Your iPhone’s Settings to Default
Resetting your iPhone is worth a shot if all the options you’ve tried aren’t working. Be sure to backup your data to iCloud before you perform this procedure.
Here’s how to reset your iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General.
- Scroll down to ‘Transfer or Reset iPhone.’
- Tap ‘Reset‘ and choose ‘Reset All Settings‘ from the list of options.
Update the iPhone
Apple usually releases new software updates to fix bugs and other issues which may cause apps to misbehave and the phone to get hot.
Here’s how to check and install new software updates on your iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- If you didn’t turn on ‘Automatic Updates,’ check for a new software release.
- Confirm that you have enough storage on your iPhone and are using a strong internet connection.
- Install the new software version manually.
- If you don’t have enough storage, connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes or Finder to update your iPhone.
- Restart the iPhone once the update is complete and check if the heating problem still persists.
Switch to an Original iPhone Charger
If you notice your iPhone gets hot when charging, check that you’re using an original iPhone charger or one that’s certified for iOS devices, like this one from PLmuzsz (on Amazon).
Apple strictly recommends you use original iPhone chargers or third-party chargers with the “Made for iPhone” (MFi) seal of approval. Uncertified chargers are notorious for damaging Apple devices, not to mention they’ve been implicated in a number of fires.
Take Your iPhone for Professional Repair
If none of the above solutions work for you, it’s time to make a Genius Bar reservation with Apple to have your iPhone serviced. If you have a valid warranty, they’ll likely do it for free.
Why Does Your iPhone Get Hot When Charging?
Your iPhone derives its power from a battery that uses lithium-ions in a sodium solution. As the battery charges, a complex chemical reaction occurs in it, producing heat.
Under abnormal circumstances, like when the battery is damaged, the reaction produces a crazy amount of heat. Your iPhone will then quickly grow hot.
Your iPhone also has a CPU that runs its iOS operating system, doing all those complex computations that keep apps running and allow for basic functions like picking up calls. While these calculations need energy, a good chunk of it also gets wasted as heat.
So, if you use your iPhone for extended periods while charging, it may become so hot that it’s difficult to keep holding. If you notice this, stop using the phone or it might plunge into the dangerous temperature zone.
Your iPhone could also overheat if you charge it with a faulty charger. Be sure to check if the Lighting cable shows obvious signs of damage like tears or bulges. It’s also important you stick with Apple’s original chargers as uncertified third-party accessories may cause your phone to overheat.