The iOS 18.4 overheating issue was one of the least expected drawbacks, but it isn’t surprising. When I updated the iPhone to ios 18.4 some time back, I was honestly looking forward to the new features and performance upgrades. But within just a few hours, I noticed the phone started heating up. Now it could be reindexing files, optimising apps, and updating features like the Photos app or Spotlight search. These tasks demand a lot from your phone’s processor, which generates heat. It became uncomfortable to hold, especially around the camera area. Draining like I was playing high-end games all day (which I wasn’t).
If your iPhone is also acting in a similar manner after the iOS 18.4 update, don’t panick. Nothing is wrong with your phone and there are ways you can manage the heat. So, let’s get to it!
Also read: Everything About iOS 18.5: Release Date, Features, And More!
Are There Bugs Causing iOS 18.4 Overheating Issue?
Other than background processes and working overtime, bugs in ios 18.4 could be another possible reason. Recent posts on Apple’s Community forums and Reddit suggest that iOS 18.4 have caused overheating for some users. That happened even during normal tasks like texting or browsing.
Apple addressed the overheating concerns by working around it in iOS 18.4.1 release. It comes with mostly solved issues laid out by users like battery optimisations, CarPlay connections, thermal management and so on.
While Apple did control overheating issues in iOS 18.4.1, not all overheating problems were resolved.
Things That Generally Cause Overheating in iPhone:
Incompatible or Outdated Apps
There could be incompatibility issues of the older apps with new iOS. Not all apps play nice with a new iOS update right away. Some apps might not be fully optimised for iOS 18.4. Hence, causing them to use more resources than usual. This extra workload can make your phone heat up.
Also read: How To Use Check In On iPhone With iOS 17?
Heavy Apps
If you are running graphic-heavy apps like games or video editors. Or Video streaming apps like YouTube, Instagram etc. It can Cause overheating with iOS 18.4.
Heavy Usage
If you are charging your phone, streaming videos, texting somebody, all at the same time, your iPhone is more likely to overheat. Sitting in a warm room with your iPhone can also cause it. Add a thick case that traps heat, and you have got a recipe for a hot phone.
Environmental Factors
Direct sunlight or high ambient temperatures can also push your device beyond its comfort zone. Apple says iPhones work best between 32°F and 95°F (0°C to 35°C).
Battery or Hardware Issues
In rare cases, overheating could point to a hardware problem. Say, a worn-out battery or a faulty processor. If your phone was overheating even before the update or if the battery health is below 80 per cent, this might be worth checking. Water damage or a low-quality replacement battery can also cause heating issues.
You can see how to repair your iPhone battery on Cashify here: Don’t Overpay For iPhone Repair: Get Fair Price, Expert Service From Cashify!
Also Read: 10 iPhone 15 New Features We Bet You Did Not Know!
How To Deal With iOS 18.4 Overheating Issue Practically?
Now that we are aware of the ios 18.4 overheating issue, and why your iPhone is overheating, let’s talk solutions. I have gone through many user experiences, and Apple’s own recommendations to solve the problem in my phone. I am going to share them all with you. Any of them might turn out to work for your phone as well. Try them one by one, and you will likely get your phone back to a comfortable temperature.
Use Low Power Mode
Low Power Mode reduces your phone’s processing power, which can help cool it down. To turn it on:
- Go to Settings > Battery and toggle on Low Power Mode.
- Alternatively, add it to your Control Centre for quick access (Settings > Control Centre).
Get Some Storage Space!
Low storage sometimes ends up getting you the unwanted overheating issue as it makes your phone work harder for normal tasks. Check your storage in Settings > General > iPhone Storage. If it is almost full:
- Delete unused apps, old photos, or large videos.
- Clear app caches (e.g., for Messages or Safari).
- Use a tool like Tenorshare iCareFone to manage storage efficiently.
At least reduce the storage space to 5 GB. This amount of free space is sufficient to keep your phone running smoothly.
Also Read: iOS 16 Vs iOS 17: Is It Worth Upgrading Your iPhone?
Turn Off Background App Refresh and Location Services
Features like location services, Bluetooth run in the background and consume power. They keep your phone busy even when you are not using it. To disable them:
- Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn it off entirely or for specific apps.
- Navigate to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and turn it off or set apps to use location only “While Using the App.”
This has been a game-changer for users noticing overheating during idle conditions (including me).
Go Update The Apps You Use and Uninstall Those You Don’t
What’s the point of having apps when you can’t use them properly? You already know the apps you open frequently. So, it is advisable to update those in the app store. It is because outdated apps can cause compatibility issues leading to ios 18.4 overheating issue.
- Open the App Store, tap your profile in the top-right corner, and scroll to see pending updates.
- Tap Update All or update apps individually.
- Or if you want to update selectively, go to Settings > App Store and turn on App Updates for automatic updates.
Uninstall the unnecessary apps or force stop them at least so that they don’t consume power.
Also read: iOS 19 Release Date, Supported Devices, Features, Other Details!
Restart Your iPhone
The absolute gem for fixing any kind of temporary software glitch remains a phone restart. It even restores the network you have ever tried. In the overheating scenario, it will clear out temporary glitches and stop resource-hungry processes. There are two ways to do it:
- Soft Restart: Press and hold the power button (or power + volume button on newer models) until the “slide to power off” slider appears. Slide to turn off, wait a few seconds, then press the power button to turn it back on.
- Hard Restart: If the soft restart doesn’t help, try a force restart. For iPhone 8 and later, quickly press and release the volume up button, then the volume down button, and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
This fix has helped many users practically.
In A Nutshell
Dealing with an ios 18.4 overheating issue on iPhone can take away all the excitement of using new upgrades. However, as Apple addressed this issue, they will surely fix it in the next update. Meanwhile, you can follow the above solutions and try to reduce the overheating yourself. Lastly, you can also try Tools like Tenorshare ReiBoot or UltFone iOS System Repair. They can fix iOS issues without data loss if it’s bothering you too much.
If you need a proper iPhone mobile repair solution, you can check out the Cashify App or website.
Also read: Apple iPhone 16 Vs iPhone 15: Expected Features And Upgrades!
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