The Florida heat is no joke. Strong sun beams and increased temperatures can do more than just make you uncomfortable and give you sunburn. In fact, high temperatures can quickly have negative impacts on your smartphone. The hardware and software of these devices are sensitive to temperatures including extreme cold and extreme heat. In Florida, the true risk is the extreme heat, sun, and temperatures.

Just like protecting your phone to avoid water damage, it’s important to protect it from the Florida heat as well. Here are five quick and easy ways to keep your smartphone safe in the great state of Florida, especially when temperatures are climbing.

Give Your Phone a Break

When you combine the hot temperatures of Florida with a lot of game playing or internet browsing, your phone can easily overheat. When your device overheats, its internal elements, like the phone battery, can be permanently impacted. If you are using your phone and notice that it is warmer to the touch than normal, it could be time to give it a break. 

Put your phone down, out of direct sunlight, to let it cool down. It is best not to charge it while you are trying to reduce the temperature of the device. Leaving your phone alone, in a shaded area or dark room for 15 to 30 minutes can help it recover from high temperatures and overuse. You can also put your phone in airplane mode to help it cool down efficiently.

Avoid Quick Temperature Changes

While its important for your phone to cool down if it overheats, rapid temperature changes can be even more damaging. Many smartphone owners think that if their phone gets too hot, they should put it somewhere very cold to quickly cool it down. However, going from overheated to extremely cold can damage the phone’s battery, hardware, and software. A device should never be put in the refrigerator or freezer to combat the Florida heat. 

Take Your Phone with You

One of the worst things you can do to your smartphone in Florida is leave it in your car, especially during summer months. Parked cars sitting out in the sun can reach an extremely high temperature very quickly. It doesn’t matter if your smartphone is in direct sunlight or tucked away in the center console, phones can easily overheat in this environment. 

Wherever you choose to go after you park your car, take your phone with you. Phones kept in air conditioning are better protected against heat damage that could occur by leaving it in your car, even just for a few minutes. 

Empty Your Pocket

Another way to keep your phone cool is to keep it out of your pocket. Its common to think that keeping your smartphone in your pocket will protect it from the Florida sun. However, being in a pocket, so close to the body, transfers body heat from yourself to your device. This can negatively impact your phone.

For example, a smartphone in your back pocket is vulnerable to the temperature outside as well as the temperature of your body. It can be very difficult for the phone to cool down in this circumstance as it is receiving heat from two sources at once. Smartphones should ideally be kept in a cool, shaded area instead of in your pocket.

Charge Your Phone out of the Sun

Charging your phone will cause it to be warmer than normal. This is just part of the typical charging process. However, charging your phone in direct sunlight will add more heat to the already warm device. An increased temperature can harm the phone’s internal components and battery.

Since your smartphone heats up while it is being charged, its never a good idea to let your phone charge indefinitely. A phone should be removed from the charger as soon as it hits 100%.  Charging your smartphone out of the Florida sun, and only as necessary, can help extended the battery life.

Living and working in Florida sometimes means working harder to protect your smartphone. While there are plenty of benefits from sunlight, the sun’s rays can be detrimental to your smartphone. As a responsible phone owner, take advantage of these tips to protect your device from the Florida heat. 

When necessary, give your phone a break from the heat and using it. You should also avoid quick temperature changes of your device. Make sure not to leave your smartphone in a parked car, and instead take it with you. However, as an alternative to keeping it in your pocket, find a shaded, cool area to set it down. Last and certainly not least, always charge your device somewhere dark and cool.

If you have questions or concerns about your smartphone overheating, Techy, powered by DrPhoneFix, can help. Our team of professionals can help you protect your device from the Florida heat or repair it from unintended heat damage.