If you have an iPhone, you might have noticed that when the weather is freezing, you’ll see a thermometer and snowflake icon. That’s because the app uses emoji-esque symbols to show you the weather.
Whether you’re a winter veteran or just getting started with your new smartphone, understanding these symbols can help you navigate your environment.
Temperature range
When the weather gets cold, smartphones may shut down automatically or work slower. On hot days, they can get too hot and cause permanent damage to their batteries and software. If you have an iPhone, there are a few things you can do to prevent temperature issues and ensure your smartphone stays running smoothly and safely.
First, check your phone’s temperature with a temperature-monitoring app. You can download one from your app store to find out how warm or cool it is at the moment.
Apple says iPhones are designed to operate between 32deg and 95deg F (-0deg and 35deg C). The manufacturer also notes a non-operating temperature interval, which ranges from -4deg to 113deg F (-20deg to 45deg C). If you use your iOS device in an environment outside of this range for a long time, you could get a low-temperature warning.
If your iPhone does display a low-temperature warning, it’s important to warm up your phone gradually before starting to use it again. This is because a sudden change in temperature can lead to rapid expansion of electronic components and dangerous condensation, which is tiny water droplets that can cause damage to your iPhone’s internals and electronics.
Second, don’t leave your iPhone in a car on a hot day, especially during summer. This is because the inside of the car can heat up to a higher temperature than the outside, even when the sun isn’t directly overhead.
Third, don’t forget to turn off your iPhone if you’re not using it. This is because the iPhone can withstand a higher temperature when it’s off than when it’s on, so you won’t risk exposing your phone to an environment that is too cold or too hot for its operating temperatures.
You can also check the temperature on the Weather app to see how the forecast is shaping up. This is particularly useful if you’re planning to head out in the rain or snow, as it will give you an idea of how the temperature might be at any given time. It will show a colored bar that indicates the temperature range you’ll have for each day, and it will also show you where the current temperature falls within the forecast range.
Battery life
As the temperatures drop, you may notice that your iPhone isn’t holding a charge like it normally would. That’s because cold weather isn’t meant for lithium-ion batteries, and it’ll shorten their lifespans and cause them to stop working entirely.
Batteries aren’t the only part of your phone that is affected by cold weather — LCD screens and onboard sensors, too. The screen can grow glitchy and blurry, and the sensor can lose its accuracy, too.
Most smartphone manufacturers recommend that you avoid using your device in extreme temperatures, as they could damage or shorten the battery’s lifespan. Apple and Samsung, for instance, recommend keeping your phone at a temperature between 32 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
All rechargeable batteries, including those in your iPhone, degrade over time as charge cycles are drained and refilled. Luckily, iOS 11.3 allows you to check your battery’s maximum capacity and whether it’s operating at peak performance in Settings > Battery.
Even better, it lets you turn on Optimized Battery Charging, a feature that can significantly improve your battery’s life by charging it up faster and ensuring it doesn’t lose capacity over time.
You should also consider buying a case, as it can help your phone retain heat and prevent it from dying in cold temperatures. It’s also a good idea to use Low Power Mode whenever possible, as it’ll reduce screen brightness, make the phone shut down faster, and refresh background apps less often.
The best thing you can do to increase the lifetime of your iPhone’s battery is to keep it as clean and charged as possible. You can do that by avoiding overcharging, always using the latest iOS update, and using apps that don’t demand a lot of power from your phone.
You can also help your battery last longer by limiting how much you play games or use high-end video editing applications on your phone. These types of apps require a large amount of processing power, which will quickly drain your phone’s battery.
Charging
If you live in a place with freezing temperatures, you may have noticed your iPhone battery draining faster than usual. The cold weather slows down a chemical reaction that sends charged particles through the battery’s circuitry, which reduces battery capacity.
This is common for lithium-ion batteries, which store electricity chemically. However, this problem is particularly frustrating for iPhone owners, because the device is a premium mobile phone that costs a lot of money.
Luckily, there are some things you can do to help combat this issue. First, Apple recommends that you charge your phone at room temperature rather than in freezing conditions.
Second, make sure that you are charging your iPhone with the correct charger. You should be using an Apple 20W USB-C power adapter or a Qi-certified wireless charger that has a safety rating of at least 2.4A (maximum).
Third, you should avoid rapid charging with high currents, as this can cause damage to your battery. This is especially true if you are charging your iPhone in an environment with extreme temperature fluctuations.
Fourth, you should use an insulated case when you are in extreme cold weather. This helps to keep your phone safe from damage, while also keeping it cool and helping it to charge more efficiently.
Fifth, if your phone is showing this message when you’re outside in frigid temperatures, try moving it to a warmer or cooler location. Your phone will then resume charging as normal.
Sixth, you can also try putting your iPhone into sleep mode to prevent it from overheating. This will help your battery to last longer and prevent this issue from happening again in the future.
Seventh, you should clean your iPhone’s charging port and cable as soon as possible. This will remove any grit or debris that may be preventing your iPhone from charging properly.
In addition, you should avoid placing your iPhone in a hot environment as this can cause it to overheat and trigger the Charging On Hold notification. This is particularly true if you are charging your iPhone with the MagSafe connector, as this can cause it to overheat more than traditional wired charges.
Insulated cases
Whether you’re camping, traveling or just taking a quick trip out in the cold, insulated cases are a must. They protect your iPhone from extreme temperatures that could shorten its life and possibly even damage its battery.
Thermal phone cases come in a variety of styles and features, including soft, snap and tough designs. Choose the right one based on your needs and budget to protect your iPhone from a wide range of situations.
The Apollo Thermal Capsule by PHOOZY is an excellent example of a thermal weatherproof case. It reflects 90% of the sun’s heat and insulates your phone from the cold, extending battery life up to three times.
It also maintains your phone’s Wi-Fi, cellular and Bluetooth signals all day long. You can use it to stay connected to family and friends, share photos, make video calls and more.
This case is available for a number of different iPhone models and Galaxy phones. It has a chromium thermal barrier that reflects heat and keeps your phone cool. It’s made with NASA spacesuit technology and is also dustproof.
While most iPhone cases aren’t built with thermal materials, the PHOOZY case is an exception. It uses a spacesuit-like cloth that insulates and reflects heat, making it the perfect option for anyone who enjoys winter outdoor recreation.
PHOOZY’s Apollo Series also comes in a rugged design that can withstand drops from up to six feet, which makes it perfect for skiing or other winter sports. It also has impactor core 1.0 military-grade shock protection, so you can be sure that your iPhone stays safe and secure in this case.
The West Slope Case is another thermal-weatherproof phone case that uses a unique blend of materials to protect your device from both cold and hot conditions. It starts with aerogel insulation and then adds an airtight magnetic closure mechanism. It’s also water-resistant and freeze proof, so you can be assured your phone is protected from the elements during your trip.
These cases are also designed to be very lightweight, so you can pack them in your bag without a lot of extra weight. They’re also easy to take out when you need them, which is handy for camping or hiking.