Why Your IPhone Overheats And How To Cool It Down Fast

Is your iPhone suddenly burning up like a pocket-sized furnace? Overheating isn’t just annoying—it can damage your battery, slow down performance, and even trigger safety warnings. In this guide, you will learn why your iPhone overheats and how to cool it down fast. Let’s dive in.

Why iPhone Overheats – 10 Common Culprits

Many times iPhone gets hot while used in our daily activities. It gets overheated due to various reasons. Before figuring out the correct solution, we should know why it happens. Here are the top causes:

Software Glitches: iOS 17 bugs, corrupted apps, or failed updates.
Background Apps: Apps like Facebook, Google Maps, or TikTok are draining resources.
Direct Sunlight: Leaving your phone in a hot car or sunny windowsill.
Fast Charging: iPhone 15’s USB-C charging can generate excess heat.
Outdated iOS: Older software struggles with newer apps.
Faulty Accessories: Cheap chargers or damaged cables.
Hardware Issues: Aging batteries, damaged logic boards, or poor thermal paste.
Intensive Tasks: 4K video recording, gaming, or AR apps.
Case Trapped Heat: Thick cases blocking ventilation.
Network Problems: Weak cellular signals force the modem to work overtime.

Pro Tip: If your iPhone feels hot near the camera or charging port, that means it is likely a battery or processor-related problem.

How to Cool Down an Overheated iPhone in 2025

If you are an iPhone user and you are suffering from an overheating problem then you should follow the steps below. We hope you will find a nice solution to fix this problem quickly:

Immediate Cooling Steps

Remove the case to improve airflow.
Turn on Airplane Mode to disable radios (Settings > Airplane Mode).
Move to shade and place it screen-down on a cool surface.
Stop charging and unplug cables.

It works in 5 minutes for 90% of users (Based on Apple Support data).

Fix Software Overheating (iOS 17 Focus)

If your iPhone is overheating, a few simple things can solve the problem properly. Closing background apps, updating your iOS, and resetting all settings are quick ways to reduce heat and improve performance. Let’s take a look at how each of these can help cool down your device.

Close Background Apps

Swipe up from the bottom (or double-click Home button) to open the app switcher.
Swipe away apps like Instagram, YouTube, and Zoom.
iOS 17 Tip: Disable Live Voicemail (Settings > Phone > Live Voicemail) – this feature scans voicemails in real-time, draining CPU.

Update iOS

Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Install pending updates. iOS 17.2+ fixed overheating bugs for many users.

Reset All Settings

For persistent overheating after updates:

Settings > General > Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.
This won’t delete data but resets Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and display settings.

Fix Hardware Overheating

Hardware overheating is a common issue that can lead to decreased performance, system instability, and even permanent damage to your iPhone. Here is the proven tips that fix your problem easily:

Check Battery Health

Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health.
If you see the Maximum Capacity is less than 80%, your battery is dying and needs to be replaced.

Diagnose Rogue Apps

Download Coconut Battery (Mac) or 3uTools (Windows) to monitor CPU usage.
Uninstall apps causing >20% CPU drain.

Avoid Cheap Chargers

Use MFi-Certified Chargers: Anker, Belkin, or Apple’s 20W USB-C.
iPhone 15 Pro Tip: Switch to a 5W charger temporarily to reduce heat.

Environmental & Habit Fixes

To stop your iPhone from overheating, consider environmental changes like avoiding direct sunlight and using it in cooler areas. Otherwise, you can follow these tips to solve the problem:

Turn Off 5G: Use LTE instead (Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data).
Disable Background App Refresh:
1. Go to Settings > General > Refresh Background App.
2. Set to Wi-Fi Only or disable for non-essential apps.
Use Low Power Mode: Reduces CPU/network activity (Control Center > Battery Icon).

How to Prevent iPhone Overheating Long-Term

One of the most important things is that long-term overheating solution. Now we give you some tips that give you a long-time and smooth using experince.

Optimize Settings

Reduce Screen Brightness: Auto-Brightness (Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size).
Turn Off Unnecessary Features:
- Location Services: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services).
- Hey Siri (Settings > Siri & Search).

Use Cooling Accessories

MagSafe Coolers: ESR HaloLock ($25) attaches magnetically to dissipate heat.
Thermal Phone Cases: Peel Super Thin Case (avoids trapping heat).

Avoid Heat Triggers

No Wireless Charging in Hot Cars: Wireless pads generate more heat than cables.
Pause Intensive Tasks: Record 4K videos in short bursts.

Still, Overheating? Time to Visit Apple

If none of these fixes work, your iPhone may have hardware damage. Book a Genius Bar appointment to check for:

Faulty logic boards
Water damage
Defective batteries

Read More

Key Takeaways

Here is the quick tips to fix your problem easily:

Immediate Cooling: Remove cases, enable Airplane Mode, and stop charging.
Software Fixes: Update iOS, disable Live Voicemail, and reset settings.
Hardware Fixes: Replace degraded batteries and use certified chargers.
Prevention: Optimize settings, avoid direct sunlight, and use cooling accessories.

FAQs: Your iPhone Overheating Questions and Answered

Is iPhone overheating dangerous?

Yes! Prolonged heat can warp internal components and permanently reduce battery life. If your iPhone shows a temperature warning, power it off immediately.

Will Apple replace my overheating iPhone?

Only if it’s under warranty and the issue isn’t caused by physical damage. Contact Apple Support first.

Why does my iPhone 15 overheat while charging?

The switch to USB-C allows faster charging, which generates more heat. Use a 20W adapter with a certified cable, and avoid charging in direct sunlight.

Can a case cause overheating?

Yes! Thick leather or silicone cases trap heat. Opt for breathable materials like mesh or minimalist cases.- Saroha Law.

Conclusion

Overheating can be annoying, but with the right fixes, you can keep your iPhone running smoothly. From closing background apps and updating iOS to using certified chargers, these simple steps can help cool down your device. For long-term prevention, adjust settings, avoid heat, and consider cooling accessories.

If the problem continues, visit Apple for a check-up. By staying on top of these tips, your iPhone will stay cool and perform better.

Why Your iPhone Overheats and How to Cool It Down Fast