Beat the Heat: How to Prevent Overheating During Software Updates
Software updates are like health checks for your phone. They’re a necessary and vital part of maintaining your phone, often bringing bug fixes, security improvements, and new features that can make your phone feel fresh and new.
But sometimes those updates designed to improve your phone can cause it to temporarily feel too warm. A recent example of this came last year, when Apple faced widespread complaints about overheating issues with its iPhone 15 lineup, particularly the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Some people posted on X, formerly Twitter, that their iPhones were too hot to hold comfortably in their handswhile others posted pictures of thermometers showing temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (29.2 degrees Celsius). Apple later confirmed that the problem was partly due to a bug in iOS 17, which Apple first rolled out to iPhone earlier that month.
Android phones have also faced similar issues, with some Pixel owners reporting on Reddit in 2023 that their devices were became extremely hot and the battery drained quicklyAccording to Google, the issue was caused by a change in the Google app, which resulted in a response to the complaints.
While some degree of heat is considered normal while installing updates, it’s good to know what to do if your phone gets warmer than normal.
How to prevent overheating during updates?
Give your phone some breathing space: The inside of your phone needs fresh air. Make sure your phone is in a cool, well-ventilated area. If your device is crammed into a tight space or doesn’t have proper ventilation during an update, heat generated by its components can get trapped. Feel free to remove the phone’s casing if it feels warm to the touch. Also, don’t leave your phone in direct sunlight during software updates (or in general), and avoid the hot environment of a car. Oh, and don’t pile anything on top of it while the phone is updating.
Stay informed: Update your phone’s operating system and apps regularly. These updates often include bug fixes, which can help with overheating issues.
Restart your phone: Sometimes a simple reboot can do wonders. It can fix minor software issues that can cause overheating.
Closing apps: Close apps completely when you’re not using them. The more apps you have running at the same time (especially in the background), the harder your phone has to work, which results in more heat.
Avoid resource-intensive apps: During updates, avoid using resource-intensive apps or playing games with complicated graphics. Let your phone focus on the update process without the extra workload.
Why does my phone get warm during software updates?
Your phone essentially gets a digital makeover when you initiate a software update. For example, if there’s a bug in the operating system, the update will aim to fix it. During this bug-squashing mission, your processor will be working harder to make the necessary changes, which can result in temporary heat. Additionally, your phone will be busy with other activities, such as installing new features and optimizing performance, and that extra workload can cause your phone to generate some extra heat. Remember, occasional heat during updates is normal, but persistent overheating should be addressed quickly to maintain optimal performance and device health.
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