Temperatures above 100F in the U.K. prompted Tom's Guide to publish nine steps to stop phones overheating and suffering battery degradation, screen damage and other heat-related failures.
The advice centers on reducing both ambient heat and self-generated heat: keep phones in cool rooms or shade, avoid hot cars and direct sun, and do not put an already hot device in a fridge or freezer.
Several tips target trapped heat and charging stress—remove cases and other accessories, keep the phone uncovered for airflow, and avoid fast or wireless charging, which generate extra heat.
Tom's Guide also recommends limiting heavy tasks such as gaming, AI features, video recording and streaming, lowering brightness, and switching off mobile data, Bluetooth, GPS or using Airplane mode when possible.
For users facing prolonged extreme weather, the outlet says dedicated phone coolers can help, but the broader message is that heatwaves can damage smartphones much like they strain people.