If your iPhone is overheating, it usually happens because the phone is under heavy load, the battery is struggling, or the device is operating in conditions that trap heat (like direct sunlight or charging in a warm space). In many cases, overheating is temporary and can be fixed with simple steps, but repeated overheating is a warning sign that something deeper is wrong.
Below are the most common causes of iPhone overheating and what you should do to fix it safely.
Common reasons an iPhone overheats
1) Heavy app usage (most common)
Some activities generate a lot of heat quickly, especially on older iPhones:
- Gaming
- Video editing
- GPS navigation (Google Maps / Apple Maps)
- Video calls (FaceTime / WhatsApp)
- Camera use (4K video recording)
- Hotspot / tethering
These are normal causes. The phone may warm up, then cool down once you stop the activity.
2) Charging and fast charging
Charging naturally produces heat. Overheating is more likely when:
- using fast chargers for long periods
- using the phone while charging
- charging on a bed, couch, or inside a case that traps heat
- using poor-quality cables/adapters
If your iPhone overheats only while charging, it’s often a power/charging setup problem, not a general hardware failure.
3) Poor signal or constant network searching
When your iPhone struggles to hold LTE/5G signal, it works harder and heats up faster. This happens a lot in:
- underground parkades
- elevators
- concrete buildings
- areas with weak coverage
A common pattern: overheating + fast battery drain even when you’re not using the phone heavily.
4) iOS update or buggy app behavior
Overheating sometimes starts right after:
- iOS updates
- restoring from backup
- installing a new app
Certain apps can get stuck in the background and run nonstop. This can make the phone hot even when the screen is off.
Check:
Settings → Battery
If one app is consuming unusually high power in “Background Activity,” it may be the cause.
5) Battery health problems
A worn battery can heat up more easily and struggle under load. Signs overheating may be battery-related:
- overheating during basic tasks (not gaming)
- sudden drops in battery percentage
- random shutdowns
- the phone feels hot near the back/upper area
If overheating comes with unstable battery behavior, battery condition should be checked.
6) Heat exposure (sun + car dashboards)
This one is underestimated. Direct sun can overheat iPhones fast, especially when:
- the phone is on a car dashboard
- used outdoors in summer
- charging in a warm car
iPhones also protect themselves by dimming the screen and slowing performance when too hot.
What to do immediately when your iPhone overheats
If your iPhone is overheating right now:
- Stop charging immediately
- Close heavy apps (especially camera, maps, games)
- Turn on Airplane Mode for 2–5 minutes (reduces heat fast)
- Remove the case
- Move the phone to a cooler area
- Let it cool naturally
Do not do these:
- don’t put it in a freezer
- don’t blow hot air on it
- don’t use ice packs directly on the phone (condensation risk)
If the phone shows a temperature warning screen, you must wait until it cools down.
How to prevent overheating long-term
If overheating keeps happening, these steps usually help:
- Update iOS to the latest version
- Delete or update apps with high background activity
- Turn off unnecessary Background App Refresh
- Reduce screen brightness / enable Auto-Brightness
- Avoid using GPS + charging together for long periods
- Use a higher-quality cable and charger
When overheating is a serious problem
You should get the iPhone inspected if overheating is frequent and you notice any of these:
- overheating during light use (messages, browsing)
- battery swelling
- burning smell
- random restarts / boot loops
- phone becomes hot even when idle
- overheating started after a drop or water exposure
Repeated overheating can damage internal components over time, so it’s not something to ignore.
Final answer
Most iPhone overheating issues are caused by heavy usage, charging heat, weak signal, app background activity, or declining battery health. If overheating happens occasionally during navigation, gaming, or charging, it’s usually normal. But if it happens frequently during basic use or even when the phone is idle, it’s a sign the device needs inspection.
For more details about iPhone repair in Vancouver, see iPhone Repair in Vancouver.
