Is Your iPhone Getting Hot When Charging? Here’s a Fix

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iphone 7 gets hot when charging issue

When charging your iPhone, you may have noticed that it gets unusually hot compared to the previous versions. This issue started with iPhone 7 and has now been extended to iPhone 8 and iPhone X.

What causes the iPhone to overheat?

Improved technology and user expectations have led Apple to cram many features into tiny devices such as the iPhone and the iPad. This means that many apps and settings demand power at any given point, causing your iPhone 7 to overheat.

Another factor is that there are more uses than ever for the new versions of the iPhone and iPad. You will spend more time than usual on these new devices. Extensive use of any electronic device causes it to overheat, which could be a problem for the iPhone.

In extreme cases, you must take your iPhone to the local Apple service shop for a diagnosis. However, try the following solutions since I have found the problem to disappear with simple software fixes and updates on several devices.

Also Read: How to fix the battery swelling issue on iPhone 5

How to solve the iPhone 7 overheating issue

Use the following steps to prevent your iPhone 7 from getting hot when charging.

Check your backup settings.

After picking up your new iPhone, the first thing you normally do is to transfer your personal data and settings to the new device. This includes enabling your iTunes and iCloud backup.

In most instances, the backup doesn’t complete immediately and might even take days when you are using your iPhone intensively. This causes it to overheat when charging or during normal use.

If this is the case, pause your iCloud restore. The problem won’t reappear, but if it does, then go to the next solution.

Update to the latest version of iOS

Whenever a new version of iOS is rolled out, it usually contains bugs that are later identified and fixed. Every year, when you update to the beta version of iOS, you can expect these problems.

Make sure to update your iPhone to the latest stable version of iOS. Follow these steps to update your software successfully:

  • Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi
  • Plug into a power source
  • Go to Settings > General > Software Update
  • Tap Download and Install
  • IOS may ask to remove some apps. Choose any option you prefer since the apps will be re-installed once the process is complete.
  • Tap Update now. You can also choose later if you want to use your device at present.
  • Tap Install
  • Enter your passcode if required.

Disable third-party apps

Some apps are known to drain your iPhone’s battery percentage or cause it to get hot when charging or during normal use. Follow the steps below to find out which apps use the most battery on your iPhone:

  • Open Settings
  • Scroll down to Battery and tap on it
  • Wait for apps and services to load under Battery Usage
  • Select Last 7 days to find battery usage in the last week
  • Tap Time

You can now remove apps that consume the most battery but aren’t that essential on your iPhone. You can also remove and re-install such apps since an individual setting in that particular app could be responsible for excessive battery use and overheating.

Toggle off location services

The iPhone location feature helps many apps determine your location but at the expense of your battery. If your iPhone 7 is overheating, you should turn off this feature to turn off  GPS from different apps all the time. Use the following steps to disable the iPhone location services:

  • Open settings
  • Go to Privacy
  • Select Location Services
  • Turn the toggle to an off position

If this solution doesn’t work, read on for other solutions you should consider.

Also Read: Is this the best iPhone wireless charger yet?

Other tips to prevent your iPhone from getting hot during charging

  • Restart your device: Your iPhone getting hot could result from many things, including the number of active internet apps. Restarting your iPhone will show that it will cool down and resume working normally if this is the issue.
  • Check your charging cable: Your charging cable could be responsible for your iPhone getting hot. Ensure to check it and even change cables to determine that it doesn’t have any issues.
  • Remove the case: The design and material used in an iPhone case could cause the device to overheat. Remove it and let the phone cool down first.
  • Turn off wireless connections: Check if there are any wireless connections that you have left on. This includes your Wi-Fi, hotspot, and Bluetooth. Turn them off and let your iPhone cool down.

If you have tried all the methods above but your iPhone 7, 8, or X is still overheating, you should visit your nearest Apple center for repairs and probably a replacement unit.