If an iPhone gets hot when charging, it’s likely a fault in the charging system. You need to be sure about the status of the power source, lighting cable, charging brick (for wireless chargers), adapter, and so on. If any of these elements are faulty, your iOS device will possibly get hot when charging.
In that case, you can try using a different charger, adapter, charging brick, or lighting cable. If the problem persists, then you might be dealing with a different issue connected to the software
, probably a bug.
There are several factors to point out if an iPhone gets hot when charging. Some common ones include the fast-charge function, bugs in the device’s OS, faulty charging system, the backup recovery process, etc. While heat is a common phenomenon with some charging iPhones, the device must not shut down due to it.
In this guide, I will reveal more details about excessive heat on an iPhone when charging. Read further to explore them.
Contents
The Natural Charging Law For Phones
Phones typically heat up while charging or discharging. This is based on the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which I interpret as any object that uses or generates energy, does so by losing some in the process.
The same law also applies to your iPhone when charging. The heat you feel from the iPhone is energy generated from the charging process.
Usually, each time you charge your iPhone, the power source begins to generate heat (energy), which flows into the circuit and battery in the iOS device. This means that heat is a normal occurrence with a charging iPhone.
The same process occurs as the battery discharges. The battery does not dissipate 100% of its energy to the circuits that use it when discharging. A percentage goes out in the form of heat.
Furthermore, some devices come with fast chargers, which require more voltage to increase the charging speed.
The faster the charging speed, the hotter the phone gets because more energy is involved. This happens more on iPhone 13 since it has the fastest charging capability among other models.
The heat an iPhone 13 would generate will always be higher than an iPhone 12 due to its higher fast-charge function.
So, if you’re more concerned about the heat your iPhone generates than the charging speed, try using a charger with a lower wattage of 5 or 12 watts.
Causes Of A Heating iPhone When Charging
As stated earlier, various factors can contribute to an iPhone getting hot while charging. Aside from a faulty adapter, lighting cable, and others, using the device when charging may cause it to overheat.
Additional factors may include background app activity and environmental influences like hot weather.
Let me address these pieces of information in detail.
Charging system
The charging system of Apple phones has what’s known as Made For iPhone (MFi) certification. So, using a charger or cable that doesn’t meet the requirements or has a different certification may result in your iPhone overheating during charge.
Besides, your iPhone can get hot when charging if you’re using a low-quality or ruptured lighting cable, broken port, damaged charging brick, or faulty adapter. You may also be using a faulty power source. If so, you can expect your iOS device to get hot when charging.
Software bug
After checking all hardware components for damages and finding none, you must confirm the state of your device’s operating system.
If the software on your iPhone contains a bug or has an error, it could create an unseen running program in the background. When this happens, the device tends to heat up shortly after plugging it into a power source.
Environmental factor
It might be a bit surprising to know that the temperature of your environment could also contribute to the heating issue with your iPhone. iOS device chassis are usually metal, except for a few models. Metals are good thermal conductors, which makes it easy for them to absorb heat faster than other materials at a similar temperature.
So, if the environment is warmer than usual, it could lead to excessive heat in the device when charging. Ensure the environment is well-ventilated or cool enough to reduce the intensity of the heat in the phone. Apple advises users to store and use their devices at a temperature range between -12℃ and 45℃, and 0℃ and 35℃ respectively.
Fast charging function
The heat an iPhone generates with a fast-charging function is usually higher than that of a regular one. Fast chargers typically use higher amperage and voltage to increase the speed of the charging process, and with more energy comes more heat. This fact is particularly common with iPhone 12 and 13.
Using the device when charging
Your iPhone will also get unusually hot if you use it while charging. The increased heat could be due to a few factors, including the backlight staying on and data processing combined with the natural heat from charging the device. Other unseen activities may also be occurring in the system, which could lead to additional heat in the device.
Running in the background
Sometimes, your device may be running some applications or programs in the background. If this occurs when charging, the device will tend to heat up in the process. Usually, these programs are not visible on the device screen, so closing them directly might be slightly tricky. Often, they result from a bug or error in the system, as stated earlier.
Backup recovery process
After backing up your device, your iPhone could take a few minutes or hours to complete its index process. You can expect the phone to heat up more than usual during this period when charging.
Best Solutions If An iPhone Gets Hot When Charging
If your iPhone gets hot when charging, there are several solutions you can try to prevent damage to the battery or device. First, you need to unplug the phone and let it cool down. Make sure you’re using a certified charger and cable, and close every background app and unnecessary features such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
That said, let’s consider some possible solutions for an iPhone that gets hot when charging.
Remove corrupt applications or programs.
Identify whether or not there’s an app on the iPhone that either slows it down or causes it to overheat while charging. You might have noticed the issue following the installation of the app. If there is, simply remove it by tapping and holding the app, then touch the X button at the top right of the application.
Follow these steps if you can’t identify the app:
- Open “Settings” and tap “Privacy.”
- Click “Analytics” and select “Analytics Data.”
- You’ll find the error app in this window. Once you’ve identified it, go back to the main screen and uninstall it using the method above.
Practical cooling method
The phone case of your device could trap some heat, which could increase the hotness of the iPhone when charging. You can reduce the hot temperature by taking off the phone case. Also, be sure that the surface on which you place the iOS device is not a factor.
Place the phone on a wooden surface and avoid areas like your bed top or clothes. These surfaces could contribute to the rising heat while charging the device.
Furthermore, you should consider turning off the Background App Refresh setting. Usually, if several apps run on your device as you switch between them, the remaining apps automatically check for new content and updates. The battery tends to drain faster during this process, and the iPhone heats up as this continues.
Switch off this setting with the following steps:
- Click on “General” from the Settings application
- Open “Background App Refresh”
- On the “Background App Refresh” page, turn off the switch next to it.
Use the right charging system.
If your device uses a fast charger, the heat it generates when charging should not be a cause for concern. But if you feel uncomfortable with it, you should switch to a normal charger with lesser wattage.
What if the heat is beyond the case of a fast charger? This is where the right charging system comes in. As you may already know, Apple phones have charging specifications. So, the charger in use must meet these specifications for compatibility purposes.
You must ensure that the lighting cable, adapter, or charging brick meets the requirements. You can confirm this information from your iPhone accessories. Secondly, ensure these elements, including the power source, are in good condition. Damaged or faulty charging elements could result in additional heat in the iPhone when charging.
Device and app update
If your iPhone gets hot when charging due to a bug in the software, updating the current iOS is one way to fix the issue. Certain apps in the iPhone get corrupted over time, resulting in bugs that could cause your device to heat up excessively while charging. Keeping your apps and iOS up to date can help you to prevent such occurrences.
Safety Measures For A Heating iPhone On Charge
When your iPhone heats up while charging, it can cause concern. To ensure the safety of your device and prevent potential hazards, you can take several safety measures. A few of these measures include unplugging the device immediately, avoiding third-party chargers and cables, and monitoring the environment
‘s temperature.
Taking these safety measures seriously is important to prevent any potential damage or harm to the battery or device. Other safety practices include:
- Avoid leaving your iPhone in your car if the weather is hot.
- Do not leave the device in direct sunlight for too long.
- Do not use certain apps or features in direct sunlight or hot conditions for an extended period. These features or apps may include high-intensive games, GPS navigation or tracking, or apps with augmented-reality features.
Conclusion
If your iPhone gets hot when charging, it can be a sign of a potential issue that requires attention. While the causes of this issue may vary, it’s important to take proactive measures to prevent long-term damage to the device or battery and ensure its safety.
Also, using certified chargers and cables, avoiding excessive phone use while charging and taking other safety precautions are some ways to prevent potential hazards and extend the life of your iPhone.
If the issue persists, it’s best to seek professional help from an authorized service provider to address the underlying cause of the heating issue.