Summer heat can seriously challenge your smartphone, causing it to overheat and wear out faster. Mikhail Demidov, a repair specialist from the “Avito Services” platform, shared with Gazeta.Ru his recommendations on how to protect your device in hot weather and prevent damage. Here are the key tips to help extend the life of your smartphone:

1. Avoid Direct Sunlight

Keep your smartphone out of the sun to prevent overheating.
"The first and most important rule is to keep your phone away from direct sunlight. Leaving it in a car, on the beach, or on a windowsill can result in a swollen case and a lagging processor. It's better to store your phone in the shade, a backpack, or a bag," Demidov emphasized.

  • Why it matters: Sunlight heats the casing, processor, and battery, potentially causing malfunctions, performance drops, and battery damage.
  • Tip: Store your phone in the shade, in a pocket or well-ventilated bag. Avoid closed spaces like a car glove box, where temperatures can exceed 50°C.

2. Turn Off Unnecessary Features

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and VPN running in the background place extra load on the processor and modem, increasing heat.
Demidov explains that even idle Wi-Fi and Bluetooth create passive heat load. A constantly active VPN is also poor practice during hot weather.

  • What to do:
    • Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use (Settings → Wi-Fi/Bluetooth → Off)
    • Disable VPN, especially if you’re not using secure networks
    • Activate battery saver mode (Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode) to reduce background activity
  • Tip: Watch for apps or notifications that auto-enable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (like for geolocation).

3. Avoid Resource-Heavy Apps

Running demanding apps in the heat significantly strains the processor and battery, accelerating heat buildup.
"Streaming, video calls, or gaming should wait until you're in a cooler space," says Demidov.

  • Examples: Games (Genshin Impact, PUBG), streaming apps (YouTube, Netflix), navigation (Google Maps, Yandex Maps)
  • Why it’s risky: These tasks push the processor to max load, raising temperatures to dangerous levels (40–50°C and above)
  • Tip: Use your phone for light tasks (texts, calls) outdoors, and save gaming/streaming for air-conditioned spaces.

4. Remove Thick Cases

Silicone, leather, or plastic cases can block heat dissipation.
"If your phone is in a case, pay attention to it. Thick silicone or leather ones can trap heat," Demidov adds.

  • What to do: Remove the case when it’s hot or the phone feels warm
  • Alternatives: Use thin, ventilated cases or fabric covers that don’t trap heat
  • Tip: If you must use a case, choose ones with ventilation holes or made of heat-conductive materials like metal frames

Effects of Overheating

A single case of overheating rarely causes instant damage, but constant exposure to high temperatures wears down components over time.
According to Demidov:

  • Battery: Lithium-ion batteries degrade above 35°C. Persistent overheating may cause swelling or up to 20–30% capacity loss within a year
  • Processor: Prolonged heat triggers throttling (automatic slowdown) and risks damaging the chip
  • Screen: High temperatures can burn pixels on AMOLED displays or degrade touchscreen sensitivity
  • Casing: Heat can warp plastic or glue elements, compromising the phone’s sealing

Additional Recommendations

  • Don’t charge in the heat: Charging increases battery temperature. Charge in cool environments and avoid fast charging if it heats the phone.
  • Monitor temperature: If the phone feels hot (over 40°C), turn it off for 10–15 minutes and place it in a cool spot (never in the fridge!).
  • Keep software updated: OS updates (Android 15, iOS 18 in 2025) often include power and heat management optimizations.
  • Use temperature sensors: Some phones (Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi) show battery temperature in engineering mode (##4636## on Android). Normal temp: ≤35°C at rest.

Summary

To protect your smartphone from overheating in hot weather, follow these four key rules:

  1. Keep the device in the shade, away from direct sunlight
  2. Turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and VPN when not needed
  3. Avoid using demanding apps (games, video, maps) outdoors
  4. Remove thick cases to improve heat dissipation

Frequent overheating accelerates wear on your battery, processor, and screen. Following these tips will help prolong your smartphone’s lifespan. If your phone does overheat, let it cool in a shaded area and avoid charging until the temperature normalizes.