Updating your iPhone to the latest iOS version brings new features, bug fixes, and enhanced security. However, some users notice that their iPhone starts overheating after an iOS update. This can lead to battery drain, slower performance, or unexpected shutdowns, making your device uncomfortable or even risky to use.
The good news is that iPhone overheating is usually caused by temporary software adjustments, intensive processes, or settings conflicts rather than hardware failure. In this guide, we’ll explain why your iPhone may overheat after an update and provide step-by-step solutions to cool it down.
Why iPhones Overheat After iOS Updates
Understanding the causes helps you address the problem effectively:
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Background Tasks After Update: iOS performs indexing, photo analysis, and app re-optimizations after an update.
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App Incompatibility: Older apps may not be fully compatible with the new iOS version.
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Software Bugs or Glitches: Minor bugs in the update can trigger excessive CPU usage.
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High Screen Brightness or Active Features: Features like location tracking, background app refresh, or animations can increase heat.
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Heavy Usage Immediately After Update: Downloading apps, streaming, or gaming can overwork the processor.
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Network Activity: iCloud syncing or updates for multiple apps may cause temporary overheating.
Most of these issues resolve naturally within a few hours or days, but some require manual intervention.
1. Give Your iPhone Time to Settle
Right after an update, your iPhone performs background optimization tasks, which can temporarily increase temperature and battery usage.
Fix:
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Avoid heavy tasks like gaming or video streaming for a few hours
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Keep your phone on a stable surface, away from heat
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Wait for indexing, backups, and app updates to complete
Often, the device cools down automatically once background processes finish.
2. Restart Your iPhone
Restarting your iPhone clears temporary processes that can contribute to overheating.
Steps:
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Press and hold the Power + Volume Up/Down button (iPhone X and newer) or Power button (older models)
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Slide to power off → Turn it back on
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Monitor if temperature normalizes
A restart refreshes system resources and can significantly reduce heat.
3. Close Resource-Intensive Apps
Some apps, especially games, video editors, or navigation apps, consume high CPU and GPU power.
Steps:
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Swipe up from the bottom (or double-click Home) to open App Switcher
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Swipe away apps you’re not using
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Avoid running multiple heavy apps simultaneously
Limiting active apps prevents unnecessary heating.
4. Reduce Screen Brightness and Disable Dynamic Features
High brightness and motion effects increase power consumption and heat.
Steps:
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Settings → Display & Brightness → Lower Brightness
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Disable Motion effects: Settings → Accessibility → Motion → Reduce Motion On
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Turn off Raise to Wake if enabled
Lower energy usage helps maintain optimal device temperature.
5. Turn Off Background App Refresh
Apps refreshing in the background can overwork your processor.
Steps:
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Settings → General → Background App Refresh → Off
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Or selectively disable for apps that use heavy resources
This prevents apps from continuously consuming power after an update.
6. Check Location Services
Continuous GPS usage can generate heat.
Steps:
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Settings → Privacy → Location Services
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Set apps to While Using the App instead of Always
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Disable location for apps that don’t need it
This reduces CPU and battery load, cooling your device.
7. Update Apps After iOS Update
Some apps may not be fully compatible with the new iOS, causing high CPU usage and overheating.
Steps:
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App Store → Profile → Update All
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Reopen apps after updates
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Monitor if overheating persists
Keeping apps current ensures better compatibility and reduces stress on your device.
8. Disable iCloud Sync or Automatic Backups Temporarily
After an update, iCloud may sync photos, contacts, or backups, increasing CPU usage and heat.
Steps:
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Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Pause Syncing or Backup
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Allow syncing to resume gradually
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Monitor device temperature
This prevents prolonged overheating from continuous background activity.
9. Remove Heavy Widgets and Animations
Widgets like weather, news, or fitness apps constantly update and consume CPU cycles.
Steps:
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Remove unnecessary widgets from the Home Screen
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Avoid live wallpapers or animated backgrounds
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Use static wallpapers and fewer widgets
Less background activity reduces heat generation.
10. Reset All Settings (If Persistent)
If your iPhone continues to overheat despite all fixes, system settings may conflict with the new iOS.
Steps:
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Settings → General → Reset → Reset All Settings
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Note: This does not delete personal data, only resets Wi-Fi, display, and privacy settings
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Restart and monitor temperature
This clears hidden conflicts and often resolves stubborn overheating.
11. Check for iOS Updates or Patches
Apple frequently releases minor updates or patches to fix post-update bugs, including overheating.
Steps:
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Settings → General → Software Update → Download and Install
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Install any available updates promptly
Keeping iOS up to date ensures stability and reduces heat issues.
12. Contact Apple Support
If overheating persists even after applying all solutions, it may indicate a hardware problem or rare software corruption.
Steps:
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Use chat, call, or schedule an appointment at an Apple Store
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Describe your device model, iOS version, and the issue
Apple can diagnose hardware or software issues and recommend professional repair if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is it normal for iPhones to get warm after an iOS update?
A1: Yes. Indexing, app optimization, and background tasks can temporarily increase temperature.
Q2: Can using a case cause overheating?
A2: Some thick or non-ventilated cases can trap heat. Removing the case temporarily may help.
Q3: How long does post-update overheating last?
A3: Usually a few hours to a day, depending on device usage and background tasks.
Q4: Can battery health affect overheating?
A4: Yes, older batteries may generate heat faster under heavy CPU load.
Q5: Should I stop using my iPhone if it’s overheating?
A5: Avoid intensive tasks until the device cools. If overheating persists, seek professional support.
Final Thoughts
iPhone overheating after an iOS update is often temporary and caused by background processes, app incompatibility, or high CPU usage. By following these 12 reliable fixes—from restarting your device and closing heavy apps to adjusting display settings and updating software—you can restore normal operating temperature and prevent long-term damage.
Regular maintenance, monitoring app usage, and keeping your iOS and apps updated ensure your iPhone runs efficiently, even after major updates.