Smartphones are small but they have big responsibilities. They manage our contacts, store our photos, help us navigate, and serve as our primary source of entertainment. And in today’s world, it’s almost impossible to leave the house without one.
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These devices are indispensable companions that make everyday tasks a lot easier to manage. However, like any other electronic device, smartphones can overheat and pose a risk to user safety if not properly cared for. This article will go over some common causes of overheating in smartphones.
What Is Overheating?
If you have ever felt your device getting uncomfortably hot while charging or using it, you’ve probably experienced overheating. Overheating is when a device’s internal temperature rises to a point where it can damage its internal components, be it the battery, CPU, or other internal parts.
The annoying and potentially dangerous symptoms include an increase in battery drain and a reduction in battery lifespan. In extreme cases, a phone can even explode. This problem is caused by the device failing to dissipate the heat it generates while running processes at a normal rate. This can affect the normal functioning of your smartphone in a few different ways.
Depending on how hot your device gets and how long it stays at a high temperature, it can cause damage to internal components like memory, the battery, and the circuitry inside the phone. Most often, the device shuts itself down to avoid damage, but you might want to take action before it gets to that point.
Common Causes of Overheating in Smartphones
There are a number of reasons why your smartphone may be overheating. The first thing you should do if you think your device may be overheating is to check the device’s temperature.
You can do this by going to Settings and checking the “Battery or Temperature”. If your device is overheating, there will be a red warning icon next to the temperature. There are a number of things that may cause your device to overheat, including:
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Using Devices that Run Complex Software
People tend to use computers and smartphones for everything these days. This is fine, but it can be a problem if you’re using a device that’s designed for more simple tasks like talking and texting to run complex software. These devices may not have the processing power to run a complex system. If the device is forced to run a program it’s not designed for, it may overheat.
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Not Replacing Internal Batteries on Time
Batteries are useful, but they can also harm your device if they aren’t replaced or maintained properly. If you’re using an older device and you notice it getting hotter than normal, it could be because the battery is failing and isn’t cooling the device properly.
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Extreme Heat or Humidity
The weather can have an impact on your device’s temperatures. When it’s extremely hot, your device could overheat and shut down. If you’re in a humid environment, the moisture in the air can also cause your device to overheat.
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Using The Device While Charging
Most smartphones have a chip inside that regulates the flow of current that enters the battery. And while it’s charging, it’s constantly monitoring itself and the battery’s temperature. If one reaches the set temperature threshold, it will automatically stop charging.
So if you’re watching videos, playing games, or using your device while it’s charging, the current has nothing to regulate and therefore can’t reach the device to charge your battery. The result is overheating. To avoid overheating while charging, always use the original charging cable and wall adapter that came with your device. Using third-party accessories can cause accidents.
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Leaving a Device in Direct Sunlight
We all see the ads for solar-powered laptops and calculators. But do you know that leaving your device in the hot sun can cause it to overheat? The sun’s UV rays can create a small charge inside your device, which will then make the inside components heat up. And as with the charging example, it’s trying to regulate itself but can’t because it’s being overworked.
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Closed Apps That are Using Battery
Background processes are apps that are still running even though you may not be using them. Examples include apps that scan for viruses and apps that send you “push notifications”. These processes consume battery power and increase your device’s temperature. Closing these apps can help reduce overheating and overall strain on your device’s resources.
Keeping your smartphone cool is essential to maintaining good health. Things like direct sunlight, weather, background apps, and older batteries among others can cause overheating in modern-day smartphones. You should identify which is affecting your device in order to take the necessary steps.