When your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or other commonly used gadget gets too hot, it can shorten battery life, damage components, slow down your device, and in extreme cases, heat buildup can even cause your smartphone battery to catch fire.
They don’t make sunscreen for smartphones, but if they did, now would be the time to use it.
The US is experiencing a record-breaking summer of heat and humidity. For humans, exposure to these extreme conditions can be not only uncomfortable, but sometimes dangerous. Unfortunately, the same can be said for our tech devices.
Here’s everything you need to know to protect your expensive smartphone and other gadgets from the scorching heat.
How hot is too hot for your smartphone?
Most modern smartphones have temperature safety features that will put the device into standby mode or automatically power it off if it gets too hot, but there’s no guarantee that the heat won’t cause permanent damage if it gets too hot.
Manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, and Google agree that smartphones shouldn’t be used in extremely high temperatures. Most manufacturers say that the upper limit of temperature a smartphone can withstand is 95°F (35°C). If you store your phone (powered off), the limit is a bit higher, around 113°F (45°C), but this is unreasonable.
Exceeding the recommended limits puts your electronic devices and even yourself at risk.
Even if your weather app says 95°F, keep in mind that that’s only the ambient temperature and the local temperature may be much higher. For example, leaving your phone on the dashboard of your car on a hot, sunny day could cause the temperature inside the car to skyrocket.
In one study, researchers tested the interior temperature of cars parked in the sun on a 95°F day. Within just an hour, the temperature inside the car reached an average of 116°F. Even worse, the temperature on the dashboard exceeded 157°F. On the same day, the interior temperature of a test vehicle parked in the shade exceeded 100°F. This is clearly too hot and could cause permanent damage to your device.
When does your smartphone start to overheat?
Even without the heat dome, I ran into issues when my phone started overheating while plugged into a charger during a Zoom call. You’ve probably noticed your device heat up before. Almost everything you do with your device generates heat: running popular apps, charging the battery (especially with a cheap, off-brand charger), using a protective case, etc. Unlike humans, smartphones can’t sweat, which causes heat to build up.
Is it a good idea to put your phone in the fridge to cool it down?
During hot weather, it may be tempting to put your phone, or even yourself, in the fridge, but this is something you should avoid at all costs.
Instead, try to keep your phone, tablet, or other device out of direct sunlight. Many phones are black, meaning their screens stay dark when not in use, and they absorb heat like a sponge. Avoiding the sun’s harsh rays is important, but there are other dos and don’ts:
DO: Let it breathe
Keeping your phone in your pocket is a habit, but remember that electronic devices also generate heat, so airflow is important. Giving your gadget space to breathe in a shady area is the best way to prevent damage when it’s very hot outside. Using a bulky case can insulate your phone and make the situation worse, so consider temporarily removing the case and using it without one.
DO: Take a break
The more you use your phone, the more heat it generates inside, so only use it when absolutely necessary. If you have your screen brightness turned up all the time like me, it can also be an issue. Turning up the screen brightness uses more power and as a result generates more heat, so try not to strain your electronics. If possible, enable low power mode as well.
Do: Turn off unused apps
You don’t want to run a 10K in this heat, and your device needs a break, too. Leaving lots of apps running in the background can strain your phone and make it heat up. To shut down: On iPhone: Slowly swipe up from the bottom of the screen to see all your open apps, then swipe up on any you don’t want to close. On most Android: Tap the Menu icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen (depending on your device model, it may be three vertical dots or three lines). If you don’t see either on your screen, you may be able to swipe up from the bottom to see your open apps, then swipe up on the one you want to close.
Don’t put it in the freezer
Even if the dreaded temperature warning notification appears on your screen and your gadget shuts down, there’s no need to panic and throw your phone in the nearest freezer or cooler. Instead, find some shade and take a deep breath. Allowing your phone to gradually return to a normal temperature in a reasonably cool environment, like an air-conditioned building or car (outside of direct sunlight), is the most effective way to prevent condensation issues. Remember, the inside of your phone doesn’t mix with water.
What not to do: Submerge in water
Speaking of water… Many smartphones boast water resistance, but that doesn’t mean it’s made for the pool. If your phone gets extremely hot, your instinct may be to immerse it in water. Sure, that might cool it down, but it also risks water damage. Even if your phone has a water resistance rating, it’s not worth the potential trouble, especially if the extreme heat could compromise your phone’s delicate waterproof properties.
DO: Turn off the power
All of these tips are useful if your device is on the verge of overheating, but if it really does get too hot, your best bet might be to just power off your phone completely.
My phone has overheated and shut down, what should I do?
Don’t panic. As we said before, most modern devices have safety features, and automatic shutdowns are one of them. Take your phone out of your pocket as soon as possible and place it out of direct sunlight.
Device insurance and repair company Asurion recently posted that holding a fan or even blowing on your phone can also help. “Just like you can use a fan to cool yourself down, a gentle breeze can help cool your phone if it gets too hot,” Asurion experts report on their site.
The company also recommends removing your phone’s case and turning off Bluetooth to stop your device from scanning for speakers, printers, and other gadgets to connect to. Similarly, if you’re out and about and your phone is constantly searching for a signal, turning on Airplane Mode can help.
Finally, Asurion recommends storing your gadgets separately — again, imagine cramming your sweaty body into a small space (ugh) — and just like people, your gadgets need some space to cool off.
Jennifer Jolie Emmy Award-winning consumer technology columnist and on-air correspondent. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. Contact [email protected].