In the summer heat, it’s common for your phone to get hot when left sitting in direct sunlight. A hot phone can lead to overheating, battery drain, and general device discomfort. Thankfully, there are some simple tricks to keep your phone cool even on the hottest days.
Use a Phone Case
One of the easiest ways to keep your phone cool is to use a case, ideally one made of a heat-resistant or heat-dissipating material. Phone cases add a protective layer of insulation that prevents the sun from directly heating up your phone. Cases made of materials like plastic, silicone, leather, and even wood are better at dissipating heat than metal cases.
You’ll get the best cooling results from a case designed specifically for heat protection, like an Otterbox or Lifeproof case. But any case is better than no case when trying to keep your phone temperature down.
Get a Phone Cooling Device
Active phone cooling devices are a step above regular cases for keeping phones cold. These devices use a variety of technologies like fans, cooling tiles, and heat-conducting materials to actively pull heat away from your phone.
Some popular options include:
- Phone cooling fans – Small, portable fans that attach directly to your phone.
- Cooling plates – Plates made from aluminum or graphite that conduct heat away from your phone.
- Cooling clips – Clips with built-in fans that attach to the back of your phone.
Phone cooling accessories can lower your phone’s temperature by up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. They require power through a port or battery, but active cooling is one of the best ways to beat the heat.
Use a Reflective Sunshade
Another protective accessory is a reflective phone sunshade or glare screen. These mirrors or metallic screens reflect sunlight away from your phone, preventing the sun from heating it up in the first place.
Reflective sunshades are a simple and stylish way to keep your phone cool. They easily attach to the back of any phone or case. Sunshades do require occasional repositioning to account for the sun’s changing angles throughout the day. But they provide excellent sun protection when used properly.
Keep Your Phone Out of Direct Sunlight
If you don’t have a case or cooling accessory available, try to keep your phone shaded as much as possible. Keep it in a bag, purse, or pocket when not in use. Park your car in the shade so your phone isn’t sitting in sun-cooked interior heat.
Set your phone face down or flip it over so the screen isn’t directly exposed to sunlight. Even a towel or T-shirt can make an effective sunshade in a pinch. Any shade helps prevent absorbed solar heat.
Turn Down the Screen Brightness
Your screen brightness affects how hot your phone gets. Brightness levels of 100% make the screen significantly hotter than lower settings. Keep your phone’s brightness below 50% to reduce heat absorption from the display.
You can also use auto-brightness so your phone optimizes temperature by dimming the screen in hot, sunny conditions. And make sure to close any apps with bright white screens that may overheat your display.
Disable Unneeded Features
The more features and apps that are active on your phone, the more heat it generates. Disable or close out anything not in use like Bluetooth, WiFi, and GPS. Features that use the camera, cellular service, and mobile data like video calling will also increase temperature.
Try putting your phone in airplane mode or power saving mode to limit features. Reducing system demands on your phone will reduce operating temperature.
Update Your Phone Software
Make sure your phone is running the latest OS and app updates. Developers often release patches that optimize mobile software and fix bugs that can contribute to overheating. Keeping your phone’s software up-to-date ensures it runs as efficiently as possible.
Avoid Charging in Direct Sunlight
Plugging your phone in for a charge generates heat, especially quick charging. Try not to charge your phone while it’s in direct sunlight – this compounds the heat it experiences. Charge in the shade or in an air-conditioned environment instead.
Use a Lower Temperature Charger
Standard phone chargers can heat up your device during charging. There are specialty low-heat chargers available that don’t get as hot. Anker and Belkin make good quality chargers to limit heat during charging.
Clean Out Your Charging Port
Check your phone’s charging port for any lint buildup or debris inside. Charging generates more heat if the charging cable isn’t able to connect properly due to a dirty or obstructed port. Use a toothpick or soft brush to gently clean out the port.
Avoid Wireless Charging
Wireless chargers are notorious for making phones hotter. The inductive charging process produces more heat than wired charging methods. Stick to wired charging and direct cable connections when possible to keep temperatures low.
Close Resource-Intensive Apps
Mobile apps like games, video streaming, and other graphics-intensive software make your phone work harder, creating more internal heat. Close any apps and programs you aren’t actively using to lighten the load on your phone’s processor.
Adjust Your Phone’s Settings
Use your phone’s settings to optimize battery usage for lower operating temperatures. Features like Low Power Mode and dark mode minimize system resources for cooler running temperatures.
Check settings like screen timeout and brightness to reduce heat sources as well. Keeping your phone’s settings optimized helps prevent overheating issues.
Use a Phone Cooling Case
Phone cooling cases take heat protection to the next level. They have special built-in features to actively or passively cool your device. Options include:
- Liquid cooling cases with internal fluid or gel to dissipate heat.
- Ventilated cases with ports or fans to enhance airflow.
- Heat-conducting cases made with graphite, aluminum, or other thermally conductive materials.
- Phase change material (PCM) cases that absorb and release heat.
A purpose-built cooling case keeps your phone running at lower internal temperatures even on sweltering hot days.
Point a Fan at Your Phone
In a pinch, positioning your phone in the path of a fan is an easy way to beat the heat. The airflow from a fan, AC vent, or any other cooling source helps moderate rising temperatures. Just make sure to avoid getting your phone wet from condensation.
Conclusion
Keeping your phone cool in hot weather takes a few preparation steps. With a combination of shade, the right accessories, and usage habits, you can prevent your phone from overheating even on the sunniest days. Reducing heat sources, reflecting sunlight, and increasing airflow are the best ways to chill out your phone this summer.
Here is a summary of the key points:
- Use a phone case made from heat-resistant materials
- Get an active cooling device like a fan or cooling plate
- Attach a reflective sunshade to shade the phone screen
- Keep your phone out of direct sunlight as much as possible
- Turn down your screen brightness
- Disable unneeded phone features and apps
- Update your phone’s software
- Avoid charging in sunlight and use a lower heat charger
- Clean out your phone’s charging port
- Close resource-intensive apps when not in use
- Adjust phone settings for less heat generation
- Use a phone cooling case
- Point a fan at your phone
With some creative solutions, you can enjoy your phone all summer long without getting it overheated, even when sitting in the sun. Stay cool out there!