Buzz
Prevent your iPhone or Android from overheating in the car with these easy tips and tricks.
Instructions
Using Your Phone in Hot Weather
Use a vent mount for your phone with the air conditioning on when necessary. If you have to use your phone while driving, get a mount that clips onto one of the air vents on your dashboard. Turn on the air conditioning to keep your phone cool.
- Check local regulations on phone use while driving and prioritize safety.
- Vent mounts are available at most convenience stores or online and come in clamp or magnetic varieties.
- Exercise caution with vent mounts in colder climates as they may absorb heat from the vent.
Avoid using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi roaming when not connected. Some apps and phone settings run in the background and consume a lot of processing power. Go to your phone settings and disable anything unnecessary.
- Activate “low battery mode” on some phones to automatically shut down background-refreshing apps, reducing phone heat.
- Location services and games strain your processor, leading to faster overheating. Disable them if not needed.
- Social media and messaging apps, due to constant notifications, drain your battery and strain your phone's processor.
Switch your phone to airplane mode or power it off if not in use. If you don't anticipate calls or data usage, enable airplane mode. Constant signal searching causes overheating.
Avoid charging your phone while it's overheated. Charging increases battery heat due to electrical processes. Charging a hot battery exacerbates overheating and impacts battery lifespan. Ensure your phone is fully charged before leaving home.
Remove your phone from its case if it feels warm. Phone cases can insulate and cause overheating. If storing your phone in the car, temporarily remove the case.
- Opt for light-colored cases over dark ones. Light colors reflect heat, while dark colors absorb it.
Safely Storing Your Phone
Avoid direct sunlight exposure for your phone. Car interiors can become hotter than outside, risking phone overheating and battery damage. Place your phone in the center console or trunk away from sunlight exposure.
- Park in shaded areas whenever possible to minimize sun exposure.
- Avoid storing your phone in the glovebox due to potential heat from the engine or transmission.
Keep your phone accessible by placing it under your car seat. Utilize a pouch beneath your seat to store your phone whenever left in the car. This keeps it out of sunlight and hidden from view.
Use reflective window covers when leaving your phone in the car. Apply reflective covers to your windshield and rear window to block sunlight. This prevents heat absorption, reflecting light outside.
- Reflective window covers are available at various retailers and online.
Protect your phone with a white towel to reflect light. Place your phone on the floor of your back seat and cover it with a white towel. Since heat rises, the floor remains cooler, preventing overheating.
- Avoid using dark-colored towels as they absorb heat, making your phone warmer.
Keep your phone cool by storing it in an insulated lunch box. Place an insulated lunch box in your car's backseat. When leaving your phone, store it in the lunch box to maintain coolness and prevent heat exposure.
- Add an ice pack in a separate compartment to prolong cooling. If unavailable, place the ice pack in a sealed bag wrapped in a towel to avoid water damage to your phone.
Useful Advice
- If possible, remove your phone from the car to prevent overheating or damage.
