Smartphone overheating is not just an inconvenience but can lead to long-term damage if not managed properly, JUSTICE OKAMGBA writes …
Smartphones, like all electronic devices, generate heat during use. However, excessive overheating can cause significant damage, from draining the battery to potentially causing permanent harm to the device.
Understanding the causes behind smartphone overheating and how to manage it can significantly extend your phone’s lifespan. Here are some expert insights and tips to help you manage overheating in smartphones.
Common causes
A Samsung Galaxy Note 3 user, Shane Britton, further explained that overheating is often linked to either the battery or the processor.
According to Britton, “Device overheating is almost always attributed to either your battery losing health or from putting excessive strain on the processor.”
He added that “excessive strain can be the result of heavy gaming, heavy multitasking, using the device as a mobile hotspot for extended periods, or something as simple as too many processes or apps running in the background simultaneously.”
He also offered advice on managing overheating. “If your battery is old or has been under heavy use for at least two years, a replacement will greatly alleviate overheating,” Britton recommended.
“If your battery is in good health, focus on how your device is used daily. If you have a bunch of little-used or never-used apps installed, consider uninstalling them. Many apps run in the background and autostart at boot without the user’s knowledge.”
A contributor on Quora, Fawaz Maiyaki, stated that a weak or bad battery is a common reason for overheating.
He recommended replacing the battery if the phone is nearly two years old. However, if the phone is still relatively new, Maiyaki suggests that the battery may not be the issue.
He advised users to observe when their phone overheats. For instance, if it happens during gaming or when opening apps, it could be due to an older or less powerful processor that struggles under such demands.
Another simple solution, according to Maiyaki, is to remove the phone case, as it may trap heat and prevent it from dissipating effectively.
An iPhone user, in a review, also identified common overheating culprits such as long hours of streaming, running too many apps simultaneously, or using the phone in areas with poor signal strength.
Additionally, leaving the phone in direct sunlight or the presence of malware (on Android devices) may cause the device to overheat.
Explaining the science behind overheating, software developer Chris Chovanek said, “If it’s overheating while using apps that require a lot of system resources, then that’s pretty normal. If it’s really bad, then it’s likely a faulty battery.”
Chovanek also warned that using custom ROMs on rooted Android devices could lead to overheating. He urged users to revert to the factory ROM if they experience such issues.
Prevent overheating
While the causes of overheating may be technical, there are several practical steps users can take to prevent or mitigate overheating.
Experts recommend switching off your phone to stop all components from generating heat. Removing the case allows heat to dissipate more effectively. Additionally, dimming the screen reduces the workload on the phone’s processor, helping prevent overheating.
Mobile technology expert Thomas Shifflett noted that higher temperatures naturally lead to hotter phones.
“Hotter temperatures mean hot phones. Depending on the demands you place on it, your phone may run the risk of overheating during the summer,” he said.
Shifflett also emphasised that keeping apps up to date is essential, as many updates contain bug fixes that improve efficiency.
Furthermore, he advised against stacking electronic devices together, as this can contribute to overheating.
Marketer Samuel George shared simple yet effective tips to keep your phone cool.
“Avoid direct sunlight on your phone. Turn off unused apps. Don’t turn your brightness up. If you’re not using your phone, turn it to airplane mode or turn it off,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of understanding that a phone’s internal temperature is influenced by its environment, and exposing it to high temperatures can lead to issues like forced shutdowns and rapid battery drain.
Another expert, Perry Wiersma, recommended taking off the phone’s case if it’s overheating. “If your phone is hot, your case traps the heat,” he said.
Wiersma also suggested avoiding power-consuming apps, such as games or video streaming, when the phone is charging, as this can exacerbate heating problems.
For those with older batteries, tech enthusiast Lenneth Wemyse advised replacing the battery if it’s more than a couple of years old.
“If the battery costs more than what’s worth the phone, trying to spare using shady parts may be a real waste of money,” he warned.
Tech reviewer Adam Reese offered a quick fix for phones left in the sun: “Rub it against your pant leg. The friction will help transfer the heat,” he said.
Although counterintuitive, the technique helps distribute the heat into the air, cooling the device faster.
For newer phones, uninstalling unwanted or unnecessary apps is crucial. “Uninstall all unwanted software, especially those not popular on the Android Play Store, like shayeri apps, joke apps, or unstable launchers.
“These apps tend to have poor memory management and continue to run in the background even after you’ve closed them,” said Khan Harun, a tech expert.
For older phones, Khan Harun offers a more technical solution. “If you’re using an older Android phone, like one or two years old, the best way to keep your phone stable and smooth is to root your phone with proper software and install a good kernel.
“This will give you manual control over the processor cores and allow your device to enter a deep sleep mode when idle, reducing the chances of overheating.”
