What Happens if Your iPhone Is Overheated?

A sunny day at the beach may cause your iPhone to overheat.
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When your iPhone overheats -- which can happen, for example, if you're using GPS in direct sunlight or even if you just accidentally leave your iPhone in your car on a hot day -- it will display a yellow caution sign on the screen and alert you to the fact that the internal temperature is too high. It will also attempt to cool itself down by performing a number of heat-reducing steps -- including dimming the screen and stopping the current charging session.

1 What Do You Do Now?

There are a number of ways you can help the device cool down faster. First, unplug it from the charger, then power it down by holding the Power button for a few moments. If possible, move the iPhone to a cooler environment -- like an air-conditioned room or, if outside, into the shade. You can use it again once the device reaches a safer temperature -- at which point it will clear the error and caution sign from the screen.

Based in Tampa, Fla., Danielle Fernandez been writing, editing and illustrating all things technology, lifestyle and education since 1999. Her work has appeared in the Tampa Tribune, Working Mother magazine, and a variety of technical publications, including BICSI's "Telecommunications Distribution Methods Manual." Fernandez holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of South Florida.

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