6 tips to stop your phone from overheating this summer

We’re in the dog days of summer, and it’s pretty hot out. With climate change, this intense heat isn’t going away any time soon.

That also means your smartphone may be overheating a little more often — which can spell trouble. A hot phone can drain your battery quickly or annoyingly shut down, but it can also reduce your phone’s performance and battery life, melt internal components, or even cause a fire or explosion (although we’ve never personally seen that happen).

Here are some tips and tricks to keep your phone cool and working properly in the summer heat.

Avoid direct sun

Many newer phones will automatically shut down if they’re exposed to too much heat, but at that point, it’s too late. So the easiest way to prevent your phone from overheating is to beat the heat. Keep your phone out of direct sunlight when you’re outside. If you’re feeling hot, then your phone is, too.

Don’t leave your phone in a hot car

The inside of a car parked in direct sun in the summer can reach temperatures of over 150º F. Most phone manufacturers recommend that you do not leave your phone inside a hot car, either. Apple, for example, recommends that your phone be stored at temperatures between -4º to 113º F, and that you should not “leave the device in your car, because temperatures in parked cars can exceed this range.”

Remove your case

If you have a case on your phone, it may be trapping some thermal energy from the battery or other components. Take off your case and let your phone begin to cool down.

Use recommended chargers

Some users report that inexpensive, so-called “off brand” chargers can cause a phone to overheat, which could damage your device. While other chargers may work perfectly fine, we typically recommend that you use chargers and cables made by the manufacturers of your phone. You can find replacement accessories at Apple, Samsung or Google.

Take preventative measures

Your phone may also be heating up more quickly because you are pushing your phone to its limits, like streaming video, playing games, or other processor heavy or overuse activities. Here are some ways to prevent your phone from overheating — or begin to cool it down, if you notice that it’s getting too hot:

• Turn on Airplane mode
• Close unnecessary apps
• Turn down screen brightness
• Turn on Power Save Mode or Low Battery Mode
• Keep your phone’s operating system and apps updated

Still overheating?

If your phone is continuously overheating, you may need to take your device to a professional to diagnose the problem. You may have a faulty battery or other device components. These issues may be covered by a service plan or by the manufacturer, depending on the issue or the age of your device.

You can also consider upgrading your phone. At CREDO, we offer the best phones on the nation’s best network. And just by using our phones and services, you can help us contribute more to great nonprofit organizations fighting for climate justice, like 350,org, the Sunrise Movement, and Friends of the Earth (who you can vote for this month to receive a portion of our monthly donation!). Visit CREDOMobile.com and find which phones and plans work best for you.