iPhone Overheating: The Why and How to Fix

Tips • Sept. 28, 2023

iPhone overheating

Recently, several reports have emerged, and many users have complained about overheating problems with the iPhone 15 series.

Considering this has been happening with many users, Apple has actively worked and acknowledged the problem through the release of iOS 17.0.3 and has stated that the reason behind the overheating was a software bug and a few unoptimized apps in an interview with CNN.

While the overheating issues were fixed for most iPhone 15 users, some claim that their iPhone 15 tends to overheat even after installing the update. For instance, one user started having overheating issues until after he updated his iPhone 15 Pro Max to iOS 17.0.3.

Also, some claimed screen burn issues due to overheating, and many have experienced this issue specifically while using the camera or charging. So, if you’re one among those who have faced issues after updating to iOS 17.0.3, continue reading to find the potential cause and the fix.

Why do iPhones overheat?

There are many reasons behind iPhones overheating, and it isn’t easy to find the cause right away. For this purpose, we have listed all the potential reasons that address the heating issue.

  • Intensive app or game usage
  • Background processes and multitasking
  • Environmental factors, such as high ambient temperature
  • Battery issues, like degradation or excessive charging
  • Software bugs or glitches
  • Resource-intensive tasks, such as video streaming or rendering
  • Overloaded CPU and GPU
  • Running the latest software on older hardware
  • Improper ventilation or using the device on soft surfaces
  • Extensive location background location services, cellular or Wi-Fi activity
  • Unoptimized third-party apps

For all the above-listed reasons, most of them can be fixed through the change of activity patterns and taking care of the device. Here are some of the simple precautions that can prevent iPhones from overheating:

  • Keep your iPhone out of direct sunlight, and don’t block the heat dissipation areas
  • Reduce screen brightness and close unused background apps, especially the camera.
  • Avoid overcharging your iPhone and use compatible adapters
  • Remove the phone case while charging to dissipate heat
  • Use Wi-Fi instead of cellular data for data-heavy tasks
  • Uninstall unoptimized third-party apps

If none of the precautions help fix the issue, follow the below fixes, which involve modifying a few settings, updating, and resetting the iPhone. Unfortunately, if that doesn’t help either, we have a secret solution up our sleeve; please keep reading to find it out.

Advanced tips to stop your iPhone from overheating

Disable background app refresh

Optimizing your iPhone’s performance and preventing overheating can be achieved through various settings and controls. One critical aspect to consider is the Background App Refresh feature.

bgapps

This feature allows apps to update their content in the background, but it can also consume unnecessary resources and contribute to your device’s temperature rise. Hence, here are steps on how to disable it:

  1. Open the Settings on your iPhone, and once loaded, navigate to General and tap on it.
  2. Once you’re in, you will find several settings, so look carefully for Background App Refresh.
  3. Check the apps enabled in Background App Refresh and disable it for the apps that you believe consume a lot of resources, or turn off the feature entirely.

Turn off location services

Location services, primarily reliant on GPS, often lead to substantial energy consumption, resulting in increased heat generation. To mitigate this issue and conserve battery life while reducing heat emissions, follow the steps below:

location

  1. Access your iPhone’s Settings and proceed to Privacy.
  2. Within the Privacy menu, locate and tap on Location Services.
  3. To reduce heat generation, switch off the Location Services feature and use it when needed.

RELATED: Top GPS Location Changer Software for iPhone

Update iPhone to the latest iOS version

It is important to update the iPhone to the latest iOS version, as it addresses the bugs and provides the fixes. If you’re on older iPhones, we suggest you wait and check the forums for fellow iPhone users using the same model as yours to put out their experience so you can proceed with the update.

However, suppose you’re an iPhone 15 user. In that case, it is mandatory to update your iPhone as Apple has officially recognized the heating issue and has released an update, iOS 17.0.3. Follow the below steps to download and install it:

ios17

  1. Start by launching the Settings app on your iPhone from the homescreen or App Library.
  2. Once you’re in settings, scroll down and tap on General and then Software Update.
  3. If an update is available, tap on Download and Install.
  4. Once the process is done, your iPhone asks for a passcode to reboot, and the update will be applied during the restart.

While Apple is actively working on software updates to address the overheating issue, iOS 17.0.3 was a step in the right direction.

However, for those facing the issue, wait longer as more updates are expected to follow. Hence, we suggest you keep your iPhones up-to-date to get rid of the heating issue.

Factory reset iPhone

Resetting your iPhone can be a powerful remedy for addressing overheating issues. It clears out unnecessary processes and restores your device to a fresh state, often resolving heat-related problems. Here are straightforward steps for resetting your iPhone:

  1. Open the Settings app and scroll down, tap General, and then Reset.
  2. To reset all settings, tap Reset All Settings. This will erase your customized settings without deleting your data.
  3. For a complete factory reset, tap Erase All Content and Settings. This option will erase all your data, returning your iPhone to its original state.
  4. Remember to back up your data before choosing the second option, as it will wipe everything from your device.

If none of the above approaches work, you have to rely on our secret approach, which is through the System Repair Tool on Tenorshare Reiboot.

Fix iPhone overheating using 3rd-party tools

ReiBoot for iPhone, developed by Tenorshare, is one of 3rd-party iPhone system tools to fix iPhone problems. It’s known for solving software issues on all iPhone models and is used mostly for recovering the screen and mode stuck iPhones.

reiboot

The best part? Many issues can be fixed with just one click, making it super easy for those having iPhone overheating issues. Follow the below steps on how to use Reiboot to fix the overheating issue:

  1. Download and install ReiBoot from the official Tenorshare website.
  2. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
  3. Now, open ReiBoot and click Start under iOS System Repair.
  4. Start the Standard Repair process and follow the on-screen instructions.
  5. Consider the Deep Repair mode if the standard repair doesn’t work, but be prepared for potential data loss.
  6. Wait for the repair process to complete, and once the repair is successful, your iPhone should be back to normal, potentially resolving overheating issues.

repair

Conclusion

While the iPhone overheating issue might be intimidating, solutions do exist. Understanding the causes, like app usage, background processes, and software bugs, is vital.

Take simple precautions, like avoiding direct sunlight and reducing screen brightness. Also, adjust settings by turning off Background App Refresh and Location Services for a more effective approach.

Keeping your iPhone’s iOS updated is crucial, especially for iPhone 15 users. If all else fails, consider a factory reset or downgrade to iOS 16. For persistent issues, Tenorshare ReiBoot‘s iOS System Repair is user-friendly, and the best part is it fixes software problems with a click, potentially resolving overheating issues right away.