Smartphones tend to accompany you on every adventure, but they aren’t indestructible. Many phones, for instance, are susceptible to damage from overheating.
However, with the right precautions in place, you can keep it safe from high temperatures. Here’s what to know about protecting your phone from extreme heat during the warmer months.
1. Know Your Smartphone’s Safe Temperature Range
According to most major smartphone manufacturers, phones are generally safe to use in temperatures up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. For instance,Apple recommendsusing iPhones and iPads when the temperature range is between 32 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, this temperature range is higher when it comes to storing your devices. You can safely store your smartphone when the temperature is between -4 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
Check your own device’s safe temperature range. If the outdoor temperature exceeds the recommended numbers, consider turning off your device until you’re in a cooler space.
2. Don’t Leave Your Smartphone in a Hot Car
Although it may be tempting to stash your phone in the car when you’re out at the beach or other warm outdoor spaces, this isn’t always the best idea. According toAdvances in Automobile Engineering, temperatures in a parked car can soar several degrees above your area’s ambient temperature.
In these instances, attempt to bring your phone along to prevent potential heat damage from your car. Leave it on airplane mode or turn it off if you’re concerned about your area’s ambient temperature.
3. Watch Out for Temperature Warnings
Many phones will let you know if they get too warm. If your iPhone displays a temperature warning screen,Apple suggestspowering it off and moving it to a cooler space.
According toSamsung, Galaxy phones also display a screen when they are going through cooling procedures. So, try not to use or charge your devices when they display these warnings, and give them a few minutes to reach a better temperature.
4. Buy a Cooling Case or Pouch
In many instances, your phone’s case can trap heat, and you may need to pop it off to allow your phone to cool. Depending on your phone choice, you may want to join the ranks ofiPhone users who ditch phone cases entirely. If you aren’t particularly accident-prone—or you have a newer model with greater resistance to drops—then going without any case may be an option.
However, some phone cases can keep your phone a bit cooler by design. For instance, look for a case with a mesh-style back to allow more heat dissipation or a lightweight smartphone wrap that offers some protection without baking your device.
In addition,thermal phone pouches such as the PHOOZYmay help keep your phone cooler as well. Besides being made from materials that can reflect heat away from your device, this pouch is water-resistant and can float in water.
5. Avoid Direct Sunlight
If you’re out in the sun most of the day, then take care to protect your phone from the intense rays. Smartphone manufacturers likeApplerecommend keeping your phone out of direct sunlight to prevent overheating.
If it does overheat, your phone may go into sleep mode until it reaches a more moderate temperature. Many modern phones have built-in measures to protect themselves from damage due to overheating, so pay attention to these warnings—as we mentioned earlier—and stash your phone away from the sun until it cools down.
6. Adjust Your Phone’s Settings
How you use your phone may also cause it to heat up. Running several apps simultaneously, playing graphically-intensive games, and even recording videos can cause your phone to warm up slightly. While this is not a big deal most of the time, it may contribute to your phone overheating in warmer weather.
To help cool your phone in a hurry, you can enable airplane mode and lower the brightness to help your phone use less power. Turning on Battery Saver orLow Power Mode on your smartphonecan also go a long way in preventing your smartphone from overheating during summer months.
Keeping Your Smartphone Cool in the Summer
Even as outdoor temperatures continue to rise, protecting your smartphone from overheating during the warmest parts of the year is possible. Although most modern smartphones aren’t super-delicate, they do benefit when you shield them from direct sunlight, avoid running too many demanding apps, and pay attention to temperature warnings.
Although guarding your devices against extreme heat takes a little time and effort, by following a few tips, your phone will survive even the hottest days safely.
