Quick Answer
It’s not recommended to put your phone in the fridge to try to cool it down. The condensation and moisture in a refrigerator can damage your phone and its electronic components. There are better ways to cool down an overheating phone, like turning it off, removing the case, and putting it in a shady place with good airflow. Extended exposure to very cold temperatures can also harm the battery.
Should You Put Your Phone in the Fridge?
Putting a phone in the refrigerator or freezer may seem like a quick fix when it starts to overheat. And it’s true that the cold temperatures will temporarily lower the temperature of your phone. But this solution can cause more harm than good in the long run.
Here are a few key reasons you should avoid cooling your phone in the fridge:
Moisture and Condensation
Refrigerators contain a lot of moisture in the air. When you put a warm object like a phone into a cold, damp environment, condensation will form on the surface as the moisture in the air condenses.
This condensation can get inside small cracks and openings in the phone. Water and electronics do not mix well! The moisture can corrode circuits, cause shorts, and potentially damage electronic components.
Temperature Shock
Moving your phone from room temperature into a cold refrigerator likely ranging from 36-40° F introduces an extreme temperature change in a short time.
This rapid cooling and contracting of the metal and plastic materials in your phone puts stress on its components. Thermal shocks over time can weaken solder points, cause small cracks in the circuit boards, and reduce reliability.
Battery Harm
Lithium-ion batteries used in phones are designed to operate at normal ambient temperatures, generally between 32-95°F.
Exposing them to freezing temperatures can harm battery performance and reduce capacity over time. The electrolyte fluid inside the battery can become more sluggish and less efficient at lower temperatures.
Prolonged exposure to cold can also cause metallic dendrites or deposits to form inside the battery that degrade its ability to hold a proper charge.
Safer Ways to Cool Your Phone
If your phone is overheating, there are some smarter ways to cool it down without risking moisture damage:
Turn it Off
If the phone feels very hot, simply turning it off allows the components to cool down gradually to a normal temperature. The processor and other heat-generating parts are shut down instead of running at high loads.
Remove the Case
The external case or cover can act as insulation trapping heat inside. Take the case off to allow better air circulation and heat dissipation. This helps the phone’s exposed surfaces cool more efficiently.
Move it to a Cooler Spot
Place the bare phone in front of an AC vent, or in a shady cool spot away from direct sunlight. The ambient airflow will cool the phone naturally without moisture buildup. You can also point a fan directly at it for quick cooling.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Don’t leave your phone lying in direct sunlight, especially in a hot car. The interior temperatures can exceed 150°F which can damage phones. Keep it shaded and out of direct sunlight to prevent overheating.
Disable Unneeded Features
Reduce processor load by disabling Wi-Fi, location services, and background apps when not needed. The less work the phone does, the cooler it will run. Streaming video, games, and other graphics-intensive uses also heat up phones quickly.
Upgrade Your Phone
If your phone regularly overheats, it may be time for an upgrade. New phones have better heat dissipation and more efficient processors that run cooler than older models.
Signs of Moisture Damage in Phones
If you’ve already put your phone in the refrigerator and see signs of moisture damage, stop using it immediately and properly dry it out. Here are some things to look for:
– Condensation or fogging between the front glass and display. This moisture needs to evaporate.
– Blurry camera lens from water drops. Don’t use the camera until it dries.
– Speaker or earpiece sound muffled. Water is interfering with the sound.
– microphone stops working properly. Moisture can get into the mic port.
– Buttons or ports behaving erratically. Moisture may be interfering with connections.
– Battery taking longer than usual to charge. The charger port may have moisture.
Any amount of liquid can damage circuits and components inside a phone. Power the phone off and allow it to fully air dry before trying to use it again. The phone may work normally after drying out, but intermittent issues can show up over time if corrosion starts.
Does Cooling a Phone Help its Performance?
Yes, excessive heat can throttle phone performance. But cooling it moderately won’t make a slower phone run drastically faster. Here’s how it affects performance:
Prevents Thermal Throttling
Sustained high temperatures trigger phones to thermal throttle, or lower the processor power to keep the phone from overheating. This prevents damage but slows the phone. Cooling can prevent it from reaching throttling point.
Improves Battery Life
Lithium-ion batteries slowly discharge faster as temperatures rise. Keeping your phone cool extends battery life. Heat also reduces charging efficiency, so cool phones charge faster.
Reduces Processing Errors
Transistors in computer chips become more error prone at high temperatures. Cooling minimizes errors to keep performance stable.
Won’t Boost Benchmark Scores
Don’t expect dramatically increased benchmark app scores from cooling alone. Thermal limits are set conservatively. Performance gains are generally modest unless throttling was previously taking place.
Doesn’t Help Lag from Other Sources
An older phone with little RAM that tends to lag will still lag about the same when cool. Cooling won’t fix performance issues unrelated to heat like an old battery or lack of memory.
Optimal Phone Operating Temperature
Phone manufacturers and processors target an optimal operating range when designing devices:
68-77° F (20-25° C)
This ambient room temperature range allows the phone to dissipate heat efficiently without fans. Prolonged use above 86° F (30° C) starts to impact battery charge speed and lifespan.
32-95° F (0-35° C)
The outside limits of temperature range most phones are engineered to handle. Colder or hotter extremes can cause unstable operation or device shutoffs.
Up to 113° F (45° C)
The maximum surface temperature allowed before the phone should thermal throttle. Prolonged skin contact above 95° F can be uncomfortable.
140-150° F (60-65° C)
The maximum sustained processor core temperature before damage occurs. Short peaks somewhat higher are often tolerated before the SOC throttles.
Keeping your phone as close to 68-77° F as possible whenever in use will provide the best performance and battery efficiency. Both extreme cold and hot temperatures degrade the user experience.
Tips for Keeping Your Phone Cool
Here are some additional good habits to keep your trusty phone running at cooler, safer temperatures:
– Don’t leave it in direct sun or heat
– Take it out of cases when hot
– Avoid charging while gaming or GPS use
– Switch to airplane mode when not in use
– Upgrade to a phone with better cooling
– Clean out speakers, ports & mics
– Replace battery if it’s old or worn out
– Use a fan or AC vent to direct cool air
– Limit processor-intensive apps and features
– Free up storage space and close unused apps
– Disable background processes when not needed
– Turn off Bluetooth and location if not used
– Use auto screen brightness and lower resolution
Monitoring your phone’s temperature and being cautious of heat buildup will help keep it running safely and optimally. Avoiding moisture will reduce the risk of irreversible water damage. With proper precautions, your phone should operate reliably within its engineered temperature limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my phone in the fridge for a few minutes to cool briefly?
It’s not recommended. Even short exposure to condensation and the very cold temperatures in a fridge can cause issues over time. It’s best to use a fan, AC vent or shade to cool phones.
How long can I run my phone if it’s hot before damaging it?
Up to 113°F (45°C) is considered safe, but discomfort often limits use before that point. If the phone is throttling performance, turn it off and let it cool to prevent cumulative overheating damage.
What temperature do phones start having issues?
Below freezing and above 95°F battery charging and lifespan get reduced. Over 113°F damage can occur if the phone isn’t well cooled, especially to the processor and battery.
Can I put my phone in front of an AC or fan on full blast?
Yes, aiming a fan directly at your phone is an effective way to cool it quickly without moisture. Just avoid extremely cold air below 40°F for extended periods of time.
How can I revive a phone that got wet in the fridge?
Immediately power it off. If there’s visible moisture, dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth. Place it in front of a fan for 24 hours to ensure it’s completely dry before trying to use it again.
Conclusion
While putting your phone in the refrigerator may seem like a quick fix for cooling it down, it’s not worth the risks of moisture damage to your electronics. Always turn off and dry overheated phones before trouble occurs. Seek shade, airflow, and reasonable ambient temperatures between 68-95° F whenever possible. With proper care, your phone should operate reliably within safe thermal limits for many years. Avoid moisture, direct sunlight, and prolonged hot or cold extremes to get the most out of your phone.