The popular smart devicess can only cope with so much – and the weather might be a struggle
Temperatures could rise as high as 34C in the coming days as weather forecasters say an official heatwave could be declared in some parts of the UK. People would be smart to think about protecting their devices during this intense heat as well, because they could end up unresponsive.
According to figures by Finder, there are around 1.4bn iPhone users around the world, with more data showing that Apple dominates the UK smartphone market with almost half of all people with a device opting for the iPhone.
Statista reports that almost half (49%) of the British population own an iPad in 2024. To put that into perspective, that’s 32.8 million people. But, people should be aware that these devices aren’t immune to the effects of the weather – especially the temperature.
The searing heat could cause real damage to this expensive tech. If you leave an iPhone or iPad out in the sun, you’ll likely see a warning message, telling you that your device needs to cool down before you can use it (it should still be able to make emergency calls, though).
Apple has issued an alert on its website for users of its products that states when problems might occur. A spokesperson for the tech company said: “iPhone and iPad devices are designed for use where the ambient temperature is between 0º and 35ºC (32º to 95ºF). Low- or high-temperature conditions may cause your device to change its behaviour to regulate its temperature. Using an iOS or iPadOS device in very hot conditions can permanently shorten battery life.”
What can you do to prevent this problem?
Short of changing the weather, device owners will want to take a few more reasonable precautions. Apple claims that iOS and iPadOS devices have built-in protections to prevent overheating, but people can avoid doing a few things to make sure it doesn’t get close to damage, such as:
- Leaving your device in a car on a hot day
- Leaving your device in direct sunlight for an extended period of time
- Using certain features in hot conditions or direct sunlight for an extended period of time, such as GPS tracking or navigation in a car, playing a graphics-intensive game or using the camera for an extended period of time
If the interior temperature of your device exceeds the normal operating range, you may notice some changes, such as slower charging, dimmer display (without you manually adjusting) and weaker mobile signal. Devices might try to preserve themselves by shutting off functions like the camera flash and reducing the performance in some apps.
How can I fix my iPhone or iPad if it’s overheated?
If your device gets too warm, certain features might become temporarily disabled. In extreme conditions, your device might become temporarily disabled. To restore use of your device as quickly as possible, the tech company suggests three things:
- Turn off your device
- Move your device to a cooler environment (away from direct sunlight)
- Allow your device to cool down
Other reports suggest there are extra ways to cool down an overheating iPhone or iPad, such as unplugging any connected accessories or devices, removing any case you have around the device, and deleting unused apps (to reduce your iPhone/iPad’s workload). It is also advised to avoid charging your device until it has had time to cool down