A man takes pictures with his smartphone during a snowfall in Brussels. Dowden said extended periods in a car at cold temperatures can cause permanent water damage once you bring the phone inside, due to chemical reactions inside the device. — AFP
If you take your phone outside with you in cold weather, it can reduce the battery life on your iPhone or Android. But did you know it can also cause permanent damage?
Richard Dowden, a tech expert for the comparison website Uswitch, told the UK Metro that prolonged exposure to frigid temperatures can cause serious problems for technology.
Most phone batteries are made of lithium, which provides power for your phones through chemical reactions. The process slows down in the cold, causing your phone to think the battery is dying, Dowden said.
Apple says its iPhones and iPads work best between 0ºC (32 degrees Fahrenheit) and 35ºC (95 degrees Fahrenheit). If a phone or tablet gets too warm or cold, it could permanently shorten battery life or disable the device altogether.
“Your iOS or iPadOS device might not charge or could stop charging if it gets too cold,” Apple’s website warns.
Studies have shown the biggest cold weather danger is when phones are left out in temperatures of -30ºC (-22 degrees Fahrenheit) or lower. Damage to batteries or screens can be irreparable after prolonged periods, Dowden added.
Phones will turn back on once returned to room temperature and charged – in most cases, according to Dowden. If left in subzero temperatures for too long, that could be a problem.
Here are 5 tips to protect your phone in cold weather:
1) Don’t leave your phone in the car
Dowden said extended periods in a car at cold temperatures can cause permanent water damage once you bring the phone inside, due to chemical reactions inside the device. Allow it to get to room temperature before charging it again, Dowden told the Metro.
2) Charge your phone before you go outside
Batteries will drain faster when in the cold.
3) Keep your phone in your pocket or a protective case
Anything that insulates your phone from the elements will help keep the device warm and avoid battery drain. A coat or pant pocket will also allow it to get heat from your body temperature, Dowden said.
4) Turn your phone off in cold weather
Conserve battery life in sub-zero temperatures by turning on low power mode, airplane mode, shutting off location services and apps running in the background, or turning it off altogether.
5) Back up your data
“Ensure your data is backed up to avoid any loss or damage to the battery life," Dowden told the Metro. – syracuse.com/Tribune News Service
