iPhone users given critical warning over hot weather hack that could ruin your device
Topics: iPhone, Apple, Technology, Weather
Ellie Kemp
Featured Image Credit: Tim Robberts/Getty Images
Topics: iPhone, Apple, Technology, Weather
iPhone users should steer clear of a hack that could cool down their devices - but also ruin them in the process.
It's not just our bodies that take the hit of the scorching summer heat, but our technology as well.
And with parts of the US finding themselves under extreme heat warnings each year, it's something we can anticipate - albeit begrudgingly.
During super hot weather, we've all experienced those pesky temperature warnings pop up on our phones.
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iPhones are designed for use 'where the ambient temperature 32 degrees F to 95 degrees F', Apple explains. So, when the phone reaches temperatures above or below that threshold, our devices make it our problem.
Annoyingly, the pop-up informs us that our devices need to cool down and in some cases, it doesn't allow us to continue using our phones until we do so.
In some cases, people are resorting to placing their phones in the fridge for a while.
And while doing so will certainly cool down your device, it could also do some major damage.
James Brown, director at insurance company Protect Your Bubble, has warned of the dangers of taking part in this trend - and offered some safer alternatives.
Explaining a bit more about why our phones shut off in hot weather, James said: "Our phones are very rarely away from our hands, but during a heatwave, it’s all too easy for these devices to get dangerously hot, which affects battery life and may cause the device to temporarily shut down."
Popping it in the fridge can cause issues with the insides of our devices, as James explained: "Doing so will cause condensation to form inside your phone, which will damage the device in the long run."
Once you take the phone out of the fridge, warm air hits the cold device and causes condensation inside the phone - leading to potential short circuits or corrosion.
The phone's battery could also be impacted. After all, lithium-ion batteries don’t like extreme temperatures.
Cold temperatures reduce battery performance, slow chemical reactions and can cause temporary or even permanent capacity loss.
In some cases, extreme cold can cause the battery to shut down or behave erratically.
So ultimately, avoid the fridge; it's not worth the risk.
Fortunately, there are a number of safer ways to cool down a burning-up device.
The first is not leaving your phone in the car on hot days - for obvious reasons.
Another is removing chunky cases which could be acting as a thick winter coat to our beloved devices.
And if you're indoors, then try placing it on a cool kitchen countertop or in front of a fan until the warning message disappears.
If you're outdoors, then keeping your phone cool in summer might not just protect your device; it might help you enjoy the moment, too.
One of the simplest ways to prevent overheating is by keeping your phone in the shade and cutting back on screen time. And maybe that’s not such a bad thing - a little digital detox could help you soak up the sunshine and be more present.
“Playing high-performance games or streaming videos for extended periods can cause even the latest smartphones to heat up,” James said.
The same goes for using GPS navigation over long journeys.
“If you’re outdoors and need to check your phone, look for some shade and turn down your screen brightness,” he added.
And if your phone still feels hot - even after closing apps - try switching on its built-in power-saving mode.
The expert noted: “This will shut down background activity, lower brightness, and activate quicker screen locking, all of which can help reduce heat.”