8 Reasons Why iPhone Overheats and How to Fix It

The phenomenon of iPhone overheating, as well as any other electronic device using lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, should not be taken lightly.

When the temperature of the device increases continuously, it not only reduces the performance but also poses the risk of sudden power failure, damage to internal components and especially reduces battery capacity over time. In some serious cases, the battery may swell or become unsafe to use.

There are many factors that can lead to overheating on iPhone, from the usage environment, software to hardware. This article will analyze the 8 most common causes of abnormal iPhone heating, and provide practical solutions to help users overcome and limit this problem effectively.

1. Overuse

Continuous use of the iPhone for high-performance tasks such as playing graphics-intensive games, streaming high-resolution videos, intensive photo or video editing, or recording 4K videos for long periods of time can put the processor (CPU and GPU) to work at full capacity. When these components continuously generate heat without any “rest time”, the temperature of the device will increase rapidly, easily leading to overheating.

In addition, running multiple background applications at the same time or switching between heavy tasks also causes the iPhone to quickly become abnormally hot, especially in high temperature environments or while charging the battery.

Solution:To limit this situation, users should allocate usage time reasonably, avoid performing many heavy tasks continuously for a long time. Let the device rest for a few minutes after each session of high intensity use. If recording 4K video or playing heavy games, make sure the device is placed in a well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight or heat-retaining surfaces such as blankets and pillows.

2. Software update

Every time an iPhone is updated with a new iOS operating system, the device will not only install system files but also perform a series of background tasks after the update process is complete.

One of the most resource-intensive activities is the re-indexing of data, especially for photos, videos, and search content. This helps the iPhone optimize lookup and improve overall performance, but it causes the CPU and memory to work continuously for several hours or even days depending on the amount of data on the device.

As a result, the iPhone may become unusually hot right after the update, especially if the user continues to use the device for other tasks during this time. This is a normal phenomenon and will disappear on its own once the background processes are completed.

Solution:Give your iPhone some time to process the update, which can take anywhere from a few hours to a day or two, depending on your usage and the amount of personal data you have. If your device is still overheating after this time, it could be a bug in the iOS update. In that case, you should check Apple's support page or wait for the next patch to be released to fix the problem.

3. The application is malfunctioning

Not all apps are perfectly optimized for every version of iOS. Some apps may have errors during operation, such as consuming unusual system resources or constantly running in the background for no apparent reason.

This causes the CPU and other components to do more processing than necessary, causing the device to heat up even when you're not directly using that app.

In particular, applications related to location (GPS) or real-time data updates are often the cause of overheating if they are faulty or incompatible with the current operating system. A malfunctioning application may not show obvious signs, but will significantly affect the performance and temperature of the device.

Solution:Identifying the application causing the problem is the first step. You can check theSetting>Batteryto see which apps are consuming unusually much power.

In addition, onSetting> General Settings >Background app refreshto temporarily disable this feature for suspect apps. If an app continues to cause overheating, try deleting and reinstalling it. If the problem persists, you should consider removing the app completely and waiting for a fix from the developer.

4. Weak mobile signal and high data usage

iPhone is more than just a device that processes information; it's also a constant connection to your cellular network and the Internet. When you're in an area with a weak cellular signal, such as an elevator, a basement, or a remote area, iPhone automatically boosts its antenna power to maintain a connection to the cell tower.

This process causes the related components, including the modem and CPU, to work harder, thereby generating heat and causing the device to heat up quickly.

Additionally, continuous high data usage, such as streaming 4K video, downloading large files, or performing iCloud backups/restores, can also temporarily overload the iPhone and lead to overheating, especially if these tasks occur simultaneously or in a high-temperature environment.

Solution:If you're in an area with a weak signal, consider switching to airplane mode or moving to an area with a stronger signal to reduce the load on your device. If you're using heavy data, prioritize streaming content at lower resolutions, like 1080p instead of 4K, and avoid multitasking.

In addition, if you don't really need to use a high-speed mobile network, switching to a stable Wi-Fi network is also a way to help the device cool down and save battery significantly.

5. Problems during battery charging

Charging is one of the common causes of overheating on iPhone, especially when users charge and use the device for heavy tasks at the same time.

This causes the battery and processor to work at the same time, leading to a rapid increase in temperature. In addition, using a charger that is not genuine or does not meet Apple's safety standards also has the potential to cause the iPhone to overheat, because the internal components may not control the current properly.

Notably, wireless charging often generates more heat than wired charging due to lower power transfer efficiency, especially if the device is placed in a thick case or lacks a heat dissipation system.

Solution:Use quality chargers and cables, preferably Apple-certified (MFi) accessories. Avoid using your iPhone while charging, remove your case when necessary, and consider switching to a lower-wattage charger or one with built-in cooling if using wireless charging.

6. Harsh physical environment

Ambient temperature directly affects the performance and durability of iPhone. Apple recommends that users only operate the device between 0°C and 35°C. Using iPhone outside of this range, especially in hot or cold weather conditions, internal components such as the battery, processor, and display may malfunction, causing overheating or even shutdown.

One common scenario is leaving your iPhone in a car parked in the sun. The temperature inside the car can quickly exceed 50°C, far exceeding the safety threshold and damaging the device if repeated frequently.

Solution:Always try to keep your iPhone within its ideal operating temperature range. Avoid leaving it in a car or in direct sunlight for long periods of time. If your device feels hot due to the environment, stop using it and move it to a cooler place.

7.Use a phone case

The iPhone dissipates heat primarily through the back cover, where components like the battery and heat-generating processor are located near the surface. When you use a case, especially one that's thick or made of insulating materials like hard plastic or rubber, that heat dissipation is significantly limited.

This causes the internal temperature of the device to increase higher than normal, making the iPhone susceptible to overheating, affecting performance and battery life.

Solution:To help cool the device when it feels hot, remove the case when necessary, especially when charging or using heavy tasks.

8. Damaged or degraded battery

The lithium-ion batteries in iPhones gradually degrade over time due to constant charging and discharging, resulting in reduced capacity and performance. As the battery begins to fail or show signs of swelling, its ability to control heat is reduced, making the device more susceptible to overheating during operation or charging.

In addition, damaged batteries also pose safety risks such as leakage or explosion if not handled promptly.

Solution:If you notice that your iPhone is often unusually hot or the battery shows signs of swelling, limit use and bring the device to Apple's official warranty centers or authorized reputable repair units.

Replacing the battery promptly will help restore performance, increase device life and ensure user safety.

One of the most effective and safest ways to cool down an overheated iPhone is to turn it off completely and let the temperature return to normal naturally.

Forcing rapid cooling by placing the iPhone in a refrigerator, ice box, or other sudden cold environment is not only ineffective, but can also cause serious damage to the battery and internal components.

Instead, be patient and let your device cool down slowly, while taking appropriate precautions to keep your iPhone running smoothly and efficiently.