Amid a season of extreme heat, Apple has issued a warning about a commonly overlooked risk: charging your iPhone incorrectly—especially overnight—can pose a serious threat to both the device and the user.
One of the most widespread and dangerous habits is charging your phone while sleeping, leaving it on the bed, covered by blankets, pillows, or even under your body. While this might seem harmless, it can lead to overheating, a problem made worse by already high ambient temperatures.
Apple recently updated its safety guidelines to address this issue. On its official website, the company advises against charging the iPhone on soft surfaces that trap heat, such as beds, sofas, or blankets. The reason is simple: when heat can’t dissipate properly, the device’s internal temperature can rise to dangerous levels.
Overheating not only shortens the battery’s lifespan but can also impact overall performance—and in extreme cases, cause burns if there’s prolonged contact with the skin. “Use common sense,” Apple states in its message, warning users not to cover the phone or place it under their bodies while it’s plugged in.
Specialized organizations like Battery University support these recommendations. Their experts emphasize that heat is one of the biggest enemies of lithium batteries, which power most modern smartphones. Charging your phone overnight, especially under a pillow, speeds up battery degradation and significantly reduces battery life over time.
Summer, with its high temperatures, is an especially critical period. Heavy use of demanding apps like GPS navigation, video recording, or photo editing, combined with sun exposure or poor charging habits, creates a dangerous combination for any smartphone.
In a world where mobile devices are central to daily life, developing responsible usage and charging habits not only extends a phone’s lifespan but also protects the user’s safety.
Apple’s message couldn’t be clearer: taking care of your iPhone—especially during hot weather—is not just about maintaining performance, it’s about staying safe. And it all starts with something as simple as rethinking how and where you charge it at night.