Smartphone fever: As Europe hits 35+ degrees take these steps to protect your tech

The summer holidays are almost upon us and millions of Brits are getting ready to head abroad. With record-breaking temperatures predicted across much of Europe, holidaymakers should be taking precautions to keep their tech safe and working optimally. 

The official recommended temperature for smartphones from the likes of Apple, Samsung and Google is between 0-35°C. However, temperatures are expected to far exceed these limits from today, with conditions over 40°C expected in many parts of southern Europe, including Italy, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Cyprus and others.

Not taking the necessary precautions during the extreme heat can cause permanent damage to your devices, so Uswitch mobiles expert Rehan Ali has compiled a few top tips to help your mobile cope as the mercury rises:

1.     Take off the case: If you have a case on your smartphone, you might want to remove it. The case is effectively like wearing a jacket, and the heat will stay trapped. It’s important to keep your devices protected from bumps and scrapes. But if you're just sitting on the beach or unwinding at home, giving your tech a bit of no-case time could be a wise move.

2.     Take your phone out of your pocket: Keep your phone out of your pocket, if possible. If you keep it in your trouser pocket, it will be quite close to your skin so it will absorb a lot of body heat, this will also get pretty uncomfortable for you on a hot day. We suggest keeping your phone in a bag if you’re out, or on your desk if you’re at home or work.

3.     Switch it off: The best way to cool down an overheating device is to switch it off. If your smartphone is getting uncomfortably hot, your laptop’s starting to slow down, or your router is playing up, just give it a bit of a break and switch it off, even if it’s just for a few minutes. You could always take the time to enjoy a bit of sunshine and the holiday views.

4.     Adjust the settings: It’s usually the batteries in these devices that get hot, so tinkering to get the battery usage down is always helpful. The higher the brightness, the more the battery gets used, so this is the first setting to get down as low as you can. It might be a bit harder to see, but it will definitely help keep your device cool. Also, a lot of smartphones have adaptive screens. In which case, the brightness will automatically go up if you're out in the sun, so turn this setting off.

5.   Avoid Wi-Fi woes: If you’re relying on a router, place it in the coolest possible room and always keep it away from direct sunlight. Wi-Fi routers require ventilation to get rid of excess heat, so position your router on a firm and level surface, preferably something that remains cool. This will enable proper airflow all around it. 

Rehan Ali adds, “It looks like holiday makers are in for another record-breaking summer as the temperatures continue to rise on the continent. The fact of the matter is, smartphones are not designed to cope in extreme weather conditions. Not only could exposure to extreme heat cause your device to shut down, it can cause long term performance issues.

“The recent weather suggests there are going to be more and more instances where our devices will be exposed to temps over 35°C, so remembering these simple tips could really help to maintain the performance you expect from your devices.”

If you're at the point where your device is already overeating, follow this guide on Uswitch.com, to cool help cool it down.