5 ways to keep your phone safe in the sun

Hot summers might be a win for your tan, but they’re not so good for your phone.

Save your phone from heat-stroke by following these tips and tricks to keep your phone cool and stop it from overheating.

How does overheating damage your phone?

Overheating can damage your phone in a number of ways, including:

• Performance issues. When your phone overheats, it can start to slow down or lag. This is because the processor is struggling to cool down and can’t run at its full speed.
• Battery damage. Overheating can damage your phone’s battery, which can lead to shorter battery life or even complete battery failure. The battery may swell or expand, or it may even burst.
• Permanent damage. In very rare cases, overheating can cause permanent damage to your phone’s hardware, such as the screen or the processor. This can make your phone unusable.

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How to protect your phone from the sun

Remove your phone case

Your phone case is there to protect your phone from smashing or breaking if you drop it, but it can cause your phone to overheat if you’re using it in direct sunlight.

Most phone cases are made of plastic, and other insulating materials, which prevents heat from escaping. If you feel your phone getting too hot, just take the case off to help cool it down. You’ll just have to be extra careful not to drop it in the meantime.

Don’t forget to clean the vents! The vents on your phone are designed to help dissipate heat, so it’s important to keep them clean of dirt and dust.

Use airplane mode

Things like Wi-Fi, mobile data and Bluetooth use a lot of battery power, which can cause your phone to overheat, especially if you’re using it in the sun.

Switching on airplane mode will switch off all non-essentials, like Wi-Fi, which will put less stress on the battery. It’s important to give your phone’s battery time to cool down as, with smartphones, it’s impossible to just take out the battery to cool it down as you could with older phones.

Avoid overusing

If you’re sitting outside, particularly in direct sunlight, try to avoid using your phone as much as possible.

It’s not just the warmth from the sun that can overheat your phone, but your body heat as well. If your phone is in your hand all the time, it’s drawing in your body heat, which, coupled with the sun, will overheat your phone much quicker than normal.

Use a thermal phone case

A thermal phone case has a special function. It can keep your phone cool in summer and warm in winter.

Using the same technology as NASA spacesuits, a thermal phone case will reflect most of the sun’s heat away from your phone, so if you’re out and about a lot this summer, it’s probably a good idea to have one of these ready for when you go outside.

Did you know? Screen protectors can also help protect your phone from UV rays.

Avoid direct sunlight

Seems obvious?

If you’re outside in direct sunlight, your phone will overheat a lot more quickly than anywhere else.

The best way to keep your phone cool in summer is to keep it in a shady spot. So keep your phone in your bag or just leave it indoors when you can.

How to cool your phone down fast

Overheating can be damaging to your phone’s performance and battery life. However, if your phone does get too hot, you can try to minimise the damage by cooling your phone down fast.

Here are some tips to speed up the cooling process:

• Stop using it. The number one rule for cooling your phone down is not to use it. This will reduce the amount of heat that the processor is generating.
• Take it out of its case. If your phone is in a case, take it out. This will help to dissipate heat more quickly.
• Put it in a cool place. If out in the heat, move your phone to a cooler place. For example, you could put it in a refrigerator or a freezer for a short period of time.
• Place it in front of a fan. If you have a fan, you can use it to blow air over your phone. This will help to cool it down.
• Use a cooling pad. There are cooling pads available that are specifically designed to help keep phones cool. These pads often have fans or other features that help to circulate air around your phone.
• Clean your phone’s vents. The vents on your phone are designed to help dissipate heat. Use a cotton bud to clear any dust and dirt to help your phone cool down quicker.
• Turn it off. If your phone is still overheating after you’ve taken these steps, you may need to turn it off. This can help prevent further damage.

If you’re looking to get some sun abroad this summer, check out our blog about how long 5GB will last on holiday to help you decide which one of our SIM only plans is best for your summer plans.