GoKawiilSummer creates more opportunities to damage a phone battery than any other season. These steps address the most common ones. Debalina Ghosh/Getty Images
Heat does something to lithium-ion batteries that cold weather, heavy app use and even fast charging rarely match in terms of lasting damage. Unlike a low charge that recovers when you plug in or a slow phone that speeds up after a restart, heat degradation is permanent — each episode removes a small amount of capacity that doesn’t come back when the phone cools down. Summer creates more of those episodes than any other season, and most of them happen in situations that feel completely ordinary: leaving a phone in a hot car, charging in a warm room, running navigation in direct sun. Here’s how to recognize the situations that matter most and what to do in each one.
Phones are more sensitive to extreme temperatures than most people realize. The Pixel 6A made news last year because of exploding episodes, and even the latest iPhone and Android models can overheat quickly if left in the sun or used heavily during hot weather.
When your phone gets too hot, it can slow down, shut off or even suffer long-term damage. High temperatures put stress on the battery and internal components, which can lead to reduced performance and a shorter lifespan.
Whether you’re out on a hike, watching videos by the pool or just leaving your phone on the dashboard, here’s what you need to know about overheating — and how to keep your device safe this summer.
Why is your phone overheating in the first place?
High temperatures — over 95 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Apple — can cause your phone to take precautions to protect its components. Your phone might overheat for many reasons, but here are some of the most common culprits:
Leaving your phone in direct sunlight
Keeping your phone in a hot environment, like a car on a hot day
Using your phone’s navigation system or other system-intensive tasks in hot conditions
... continue reading