Why is my iPhone hot? 9 causes and how to cool it down
A warm iPhone during charging or gaming is normal. A hot iPhone while idle, or one that shows a temperature warning, is not.
9 common causes
- Direct sun or a hot car.
- Charging, especially fast or wireless charging.
- Gaming, video recording or video calls while charging.
- Navigation apps with the screen on for a long time.
- Background indexing for a day or two after an iOS update.
- A thick case that traps heat.
- An app stuck using the processor in the background.
- Weak cellular signal, which makes the radio work harder.
- A worn or faulty battery.
The fix
How to cool your iPhone down
- 1
Remove the case.
- 2
Move it out of the sun and away from heat.
- 3
Unplug it until it cools.
- 4
Close games, the camera and navigation apps.
- 5
Lower brightness or turn on Low Power Mode.
- 6
Find a misbehaving app.
Check Settings › Battery for apps with high background activity, then update or delete them.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for my iPhone to get warm while charging?
Yes, especially with fast charging or wireless charging. It should not get too hot to hold. If it does, charging will pause until it cools.
What does “iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it” mean?
The iPhone got too hot and shut features down to protect itself. Move it somewhere cool, out of the sun and out of its case, and wait. Do not put it in a fridge or freezer.
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